Star Trekhas introduced seven amazing serial - leading captains in its closely 60 - twelvemonth history . While mostStar Trekshowsfeature ensemble casts rather than focusing on one curious persona , Star Trek’svarious captainsoften take center stage . When Captain James T. Kirk ( William Shatner ) set out to search unknown unexampled world inStar Trek : The Original Series , he laid the groundwork for every starship captain who would follow him . Captain Jean - Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) ofStar Trek : The Next Generationwas a very dissimilar kind of captain from Kirk , but he became just as beloved .

7Captain Jonathan Archer

Played By Scott Bakula On Star Trek: Enterprise

Captain Jonathan Archercommanded the Enterprise NX-01 , the first starship launched by Earth prior to the innovation of the United Federation of Planets . As Starfleet ’s first captain to stake into the unknown on a warp-5 - capable spaceship , Archer often had to make decisions on the flywithout any precedent to count back on . Archer made legion First Contacts with some ofStar Trek’smost notable species , admit the Klingons and the Andorians .

skipper Jonathan Archer set the mold for next Starfleet Captains with his action , and fault , in Star Trek : Enterprise ’s premiere .

Captain Archer could be stubborn to a defect , and he made his comely plowshare of mistakes , sometimes compromising his morals when he saw no other options . Star Trek : Enterprisesometimes felt like it was n’t quite sure what kind of show it wanted to be andArcher ’s sometimes made decisions from emotion rather of logic . He often ignored the advice of the more experienced Subcommander T’Pol ( Jolene Blalock ) , but Archer was also more relatable and down - to - earth than some ofStar Trek’slarger - than - life heroes .

Sisko in TOS uniform in front of Picard and Janeway

6Captain Michael Burnham

Played By Sonequa Martin-Green On Star Trek: Discovery

By theend ofStar Trek : Discovery’sfinal time of year , Captain Michael Burnham had rightfully hail into her own as a character , but her journey had its bonnie part of ups and down . Sonequa Martin - Green never failed to deliver a impregnable functioning , andBurnham had an incredibly compelling story arcthroughoutDiscovery’sfive season . However , Burnham ’s connections with Spock ( Ethan Peck ) and his family somewhat limited the character inDiscovery’searliest storylines . Burnham had her moments early inStar Trek : Discovery , but she flourished after the USS Discovery traveled to the thirty-second century .

Burnham has amount farther than any otherStar Trekcaptain , in more way than one .

Burnham was a unlike form ofStar Trekcaptain , and she sometimes made foolhardy decision , but she help keep launch the galaxy several time over . Michael ’s power to connect with those around her serve well her welland her deep relationships withStar Trek : Discovery’sother charactersbecame one of the adept section of the show . From committing mutiny aboard the USS Shenzhou in the 23rd one C to helping rebuild the thirty-second - century Federation , Burnham has come farther than any otherStar Trekcaptain , in more way of life than one .

Star Trek Captains Best Episodes

5Captain Christopher Pike

Played By Anson Mount On Star Trek: Discovery & Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Anson Mount ’s take on Captain Christopher Pike inStar Trek : Discoveryseason 2 was so well - received thatParamount greenlit a serial pore on Pike ’s USS Enterprise . In its two season so far , Star Trek : Strange New Worldshas become one ofTrek’smost pop current shows and incorporates both young fictitious character and updated versions of classical type . With so many awesome characters , however , Strange New Worldsoften slip its focus aside from Captain Pike . Anson Mount’sPike is an splendid illustration of a modern romantic leading manwho is unambiguously a hero .

Jeffrey Hunter portray Captain Pike inStar Trek’soriginal pilot , " The Cage , " and Anson Mount has reinvented the reference for the better .

Even afterPike learns about the tragic futurethat awaits him , he continue to lead mission of geographic expedition with hope and curiosity . Captain Pike has a more collaborative dictation style than otherStar Trekcaptains , as he often shelve to his gang for ideas . Still , he can take charge when he need to and will always put his crew ’s safety machine above his own . Pike has only appear in three seasons ofStar Trekso far , but Anson Mount has already insure that he will take his place amongStar Trek’sgreatest maitre d' .

Two images of Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) from Star Trek: Voyager, one of her sitting looking up and one of her standing with her arms crossed.

4Captain Benjamin Sisko

Played By Avery Brooks On Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

As commander of the Deep Space Nine quad station , Captain Sisko ’s job depend importantly dissimilar from that ofStar Trek’scaptains . Sisko was an established Starfleet military officer , but he sometimes had to turn a blind optic or observe ways to around Starfleet ’s more illogical Holy Order . A vivacious blank station that hosted aliens from all over the galaxy , DS9 was a far different beast from a spaceship . Sisko get hold of his job as post air force officer very seriously , as he try out to balance the wishes of Starfleet with the needs of the Bajorans and others on the station .

Star Trek ’s Picard and Janeway had a grudging admiration for Captain Kirk , but DS9 ’s Sisko greatly admire the legendary Enterprise captain .

Captain Sisko command from the front lines duringStar Trek : Deep Space Nine ’s Dominion War , and the strategical position of DS9 meant Sisko had to make a draw of rugged calls . Sisko was one ofStar Trek’smore serious captains , making him a consummate paroxysm for the obscure tone ofStar Trek : Deep Space Nine . Between his duties as the commanding officer of DS9 and his role as the Bajoran Emissary of the Prophets , Sisko did not get a heap of free clock time , but he enjoyed cooking and baseball . Sisko also had an understandable soft spot for his son , Jake ( Cirroc Lofton ) , and the two had one ofStar Trek’sbest parent / child kinetics .

Captain Kirk (William Shatner) from Star Trek TOS, Captain Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) from Discovery, & Captain Pike (Anson Mount) from Strange New Worlds

Custom image by Ana Nieves

3Captain James T. Kirk

Played By William Shatner In Star Trek: The Original Series

As the first Captain of the USS Enterprise viewers come across on screen , Captain James T. Kirkhelped enclose the universe to theStar Trekuniverse . With his vital force and magical spell , Kirk became one of the most iconic and beloved characters in all of science fiction . He was a strong captain who never turn down an adventure and was willing to make sheer moves when necessary . With Spock ( Leonard Nimoy ) and Dr. McCoy ( DeForest Kelley ) at his side , Kirk often feel like an unstoppable personnel , and he and his crew saved the galaxy several times over .

Star Trek provide many pregnant and transformative moments for its accomplished spaceship captain . Here are 10 captain ' good episodes .

Some aspects of Kirk ’s character , like his disposition to romance alien women , may be somewhat outdated by today ’s standard , but he nevertheless remains compelling . William Shatner bring a uniquely arresting muscularity to Kirkthat always made him fun to watch . Kirk has become such an iconic physique thatStar Trekhas brought him back more than once , with Chris Pine in J.J. Abrams’Star Trekfilms and Paul Wesley inStar Trek : Strange New Worlds . Both worker have done an admirable job of bringing thelarger - than - life character of Kirkto spirit for modern audience .

Captain Jonathan Archer and T’Pol in Star Trek: Enterprise

2Captain Kathryn Janeway

Played By Kate Mulgrew In Star Trek: Voyager And Star Trek: Prodigy

InStar Trek : Voyager , Captain Janeway became the first female captain to lead aStar Trekshow , as the commandant of the USS Voyager . On Voyager ’s first commission , Janeway and her crew wound up stranded in the distant Delta Quadrant,70,000 short - years from Earth . With a bunch comprised ofStarfleet officer and former Maquis members , Janeway then pass the next seven years leading Voyager through the undiscovered Delta Quadrant . Without Starfleet to slant on , Janeway faced many difficult conclusion and had an full ship full of people relying on her .

Captain Janeway dealt with severe Great Depression in one episode of Star Trek : Voyager season 5 , a storyline that was important to actor Kate Mulgrew .

Captain Janeway was undoubtedly a wedge , but she was also a naturalistic character who sometimes struggled with loneliness and depression . Janeway always strove to do what was best for her work party , andKate Mulgrew embued Janeway with genuine heart and strength . Janeway could be single - tending , but she cared deeply about her crew and did her in effect to maintain the rules of Starfleet . Captain Janeway achieved a lot of beginning throughout her fourth dimension onVoyagerand , as picture inStar Trek : Prodigy , Kathryn went on to becomeone of Starfleet ’s most impressive Admirals .

Star Trek The Original Series TV Poster

1Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Played By Patrick Stewart In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard

As the first mainStar Trekcaptain to keep abreast Captain Kirk , Patrick Stewart ’s Picard had big shoes to fill and he more than rose to the chore . Picard was a more contemplative senior pilot than Kirk and would rather read a Scripture and enjoy of cup of Earl grey tea than gallivant with alien fair sex . Still , Picard had his fair share of risky venture as captain of the USS Enterprise - D , and Patrick Stewart never failed to deport an incredible execution . With his nuanced and compelling portrayal , Patrick Stewart was a big part of whyCaptain Picard worked so well as a character .

Captain Picard truly represent the nonsuch of a Starfleet captain .

As one of Starfleet ’s most complete captain , Picard initiated numerous first contacts and helped save the intact galaxy more than once . Picard could control a room and deliver one hell of a address , but he could also face down a baneful foeman without flinching . He cared deeply for his crew , hear to their mind , and always struggle to do the correct thing . Captain Picard truly represent the ideal of a Starfleet headwaiter , and he persist one ofStar Trek’sfinest lineament , as well as the practiced headwaiter the franchise has to proffer .

Headshot Of William Shatner

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