 That day, film actress Geneviève Bujold was selected to play Janeway (suggesting "Nicole" as the character's new first name), but she left the role after two days of filming, realizing that the amount of work required for an episodic television show was too demanding for her.Mulgrew was offered the role, which she accepted, later suggesting "Kathryn" as the character's final first name.Mulgrew made history in the "Star Trek" franchise when she became the first female captain as a series regular in a leading role.