They hired Jeri Ryan for her looks — but Seven of Nine became one of Star Trek’s greatest legends.
Watching her glide through Voyager in those iconic body suits was undeniably mesmerizing. But beneath that sleek exterior was a character layered with complexity and depth, one that redefined the series and captured fans’ hearts.
But did you know the drama behind the scenes? A secret rivalry simmered just off-camera.
The Bold Gamble That Saved Voyager
When Jeri Ryan stepped onto the Star Trek: Voyager set in 1997, the show was struggling. Ratings were tanking, and the future looked bleak. The producers needed a game-changer — enter Seven of Nine.
A former Borg drone, ripped from the Collective, she was part machine, part human — an intriguing paradox wrapped in a skin-tight suit. From the moment she appeared in season four, everything changed. Ratings soared by an eye-popping 60%. The network bet on Ryan’s stunning presence to pull viewers back—and the gamble paid off spectacularly.
But Ryan wasn’t just a pretty face in a tight catsuit. She became Seven, revealing vulnerability beneath the cold, calculating exterior. One unforgettable episode showcased her shifting through multiple personalities — a tour de force performance worthy of awards and critical acclaim.
They hired her to save Voyager. What they got was something far greater.
The Role She Almost Refused — Four Times
Surprisingly, Jeri Ryan said no to Seven of Nine not once, but four times.
Why? Because when producers first approached her, she’d never even watched Voyager. When she finally did, she called it “the worst hour of television” she’d ever seen.
“They gave me First Contact to understand the Borg and a massive Star Trek encyclopedia to study,” Ryan recalled. Still, it took relentless convincing from executive producer Jeri Taylor to get her on board.
The On-Set Tension Nobody Saw on Camera
Ryan’s biggest challenge wasn’t the Borg suit — it was co-star Kate Mulgrew.
Mulgrew, playing the strong-willed Captain Janeway, had spent years shaping a lead who defied typical female tropes. Then along came Ryan—an undeniably sexualized newcomer thrust into the spotlight, seemingly shifting attention away from Janeway.
The tension between them was real and palpable, a silent storm brewing beneath the surface. Mulgrew wanted the show to focus on intellect and leadership, while the network prioritized Ryan’s striking presence to boost ratings.
Years later, Mulgrew admitted her resentment and apologized, praising Ryan’s “marvelous job in a very difficult role.” Now, the two share laughs at conventions — a testament to how even the deepest rivalries can heal.
The Torture of the Catsuit — And How Ryan Finally Freed Herself
That sleek Seven of Nine catsuit? Pure torture. So tight it was like a corset that squeezed the breath out of Ryan. She often had to lie down between takes just to catch her breath.
Getting in and out? Impossible alone. The suit was sewn on every time, and bathroom breaks turned into epic 20-minute marathons, famously dubbed “Code Jeri-Twenty.”
By the series end, Ryan’s frustration boiled over — she literally burned the catsuit, vowing never to squeeze into it again.
The Invisible Force Field… and Other Sci-Fi Set Realities
One hilarious inside joke on set was “force field acting”: actors flinging themselves at invisible energy barriers, reacting to… nothing.
In The Gift episode, Ryan had to crash into a brig’s force field that didn’t exist. The result? Arms flailing, face contorted — pure comedy gold behind the scenes.
Sci-fi magic means battling alien threats one moment and pretending against invisible walls the next.
What Seven of Nine Really Meant to Voyager
Ryan believes Seven was a much-needed jolt to a show that had settled into “one big happy family” after the Maquis and Starfleet crews merged.
Seven wasn’t just a crewmate — she was a disruptor. A former Borg drone navigating the shock of individuality, forcing the crew (and viewers) to explore what it really means to be human.
Much like Spock or Data, Seven offered a mirror to our own questions about identity, morality, and free will.
Why High Heels, Though?
Fans have wondered how Seven could possibly walk around the ship in heels.
Ryan’s answer? “All the female characters wore boots with heels. And if you’re going to wear a body stocking, flats just aren’t happening.”
Sleek silhouette > practicality every time.
The Hidden Challenge: Keeping a Straight Face
Beneath the Borg’s cold precision was a character terrified to show emotion — a fine line Ryan mastered beautifully.
But behind the scenes? Chaos reigned, with pranksters everywhere trying to break her concentration.
Keeping that deadpan expression while surrounded by silliness? That was real acting.
The AI Illusion: Seven of Nine Reimagined
And here’s a twist for the digital age — some of the most striking recent images of Seven? Totally AI-generated.
It’s fitting, really. A character caught between human and machine now reborn as a digital illusion. The Borg meets Photoshop.
Your Turn
What’s your favorite Seven of Nine moment? Did Jeri Ryan’s portrayal change how you see Star Trek?
Drop your thoughts and share this with fellow fans — because the legacy of Seven of Nine is as powerful now as ever.
🚀✨
