When Jeri Ryan joined Star Trek: Voyager in 1997 as Seven of Nine, she wasn’t just a new character—she became the catalyst that reinvigorated a show on the decline. With ratings dropping and the series losing its spark, the producers needed something, or someone, to change its trajectory. Enter Seven of Nine, the former Borg drone—an enigmatic figure blending cold logic with an emerging humanity. She would redefine Voyager and secure her place as one of the most iconic characters in Star Trek history.
Behind the scenes, however, her arrival stirred a wave of tension that would resonate for years. From on-set conflicts to the struggles of wearing her famous costume, the story of Jeri Ryan and Seven of Nine is filled with drama, challenges, and ultimately, triumph.
Jeri Ryan Initially Rejected the Role—Four Times
Surprisingly, Jeri Ryan wasn’t immediately eager to join Star Trek: Voyager. In fact, she turned down the role four times before finally agreeing. At the time, she had little knowledge of the Star Trek universe, and after watching an episode, she found it unappealing.
“I watched one episode, and it was the worst hour of television I had ever seen,” Ryan confessed in a 2020 interview.
But the producers didn’t give up. They gave her a copy of Star Trek: First Contact to introduce her to the Borg, alongside a hefty Star Trek encyclopedia to help her understand the franchise. Even then, she was hesitant—until executive producer Jeri Taylor personally convinced her to take the leap.
That decision would go on to be one of the best of her career.
Tension Behind the Scenes: A Rift with Kate Mulgrew
While Seven of Nine quickly became a fan favorite, not everyone welcomed her presence—especially Kate Mulgrew, who portrayed Captain Kathryn Janeway.
Mulgrew had spent years establishing Voyager as a progressive series with a strong female captain at the helm, moving away from the franchise’s history of overly sexualized female characters. With the arrival of Seven in a form-fitting catsuit, Mulgrew felt the show was regressing.
The tension between the two actresses was palpable. Ryan described working with Mulgrew as difficult, recalling how Mulgrew made the environment uncomfortable. Though Ryan never specified the details, it was clear their relationship was strained.
Mulgrew later admitted to being hard on Ryan, explaining that it wasn’t personal but a reaction to the network’s choice to introduce a character whose appeal was built partly on her physical appearance.
Over time, the two actresses reconciled, with Mulgrew even apologizing for her earlier behavior. Today, they share mutual respect, often appearing together at Star Trek conventions and reflecting on their time working on Voyager.
The Nightmare of the Seven of Nine Catsuit
One of Seven of Nine’s defining features was her skintight catsuit. While it looked sleek and futuristic on screen, the reality for Jeri Ryan was far from glamorous.
The suit was so tight it made normal breathing nearly impossible. Ryan frequently felt lightheaded and had to lie down between takes just to catch her breath. On top of that, the suit had no zippers, so Ryan had to be sewn into it before filming and cut out whenever she needed a bathroom break—a process that took nearly 20 minutes.
By the end of Voyager, Ryan had had enough. Rather than preserving the iconic costume as a piece of Star Trek history, she burned it—determined never to wear it again.
“Force Field Acting” and Other Behind-the-Scenes Struggles
Acting on a sci-fi show presents unique challenges, and for Jeri Ryan, one of the most surreal was what she humorously referred to as “force field acting.”
In one famous scene, Seven of Nine is thrown against an invisible force field in the ship’s brig. But with no actual barrier, Ryan had to convincingly act as though she were hitting something she couldn’t see.
“You do a lot of acting to nothing because of the special effects,” Ryan once explained. “It’s just you, a green screen, and the hope that it looks good in post-production.”
The absurdity of these scenes often led to laughter on set, with the cast struggling to keep straight faces. Despite these challenges, Ryan remained professional, infusing her character with depth and emotion as she portrayed a Borg drone gradually learning to be human.
How Seven of Nine Changed Star Trek
Seven of Nine wasn’t just a ratings boost—she changed the very fabric of Star Trek. Before her arrival, Voyager had settled into a predictable routine, and the internal conflict between Starfleet and the Maquis had largely fizzled out. The show needed a jolt, and Seven delivered just that.
As a former Borg, Seven didn’t easily fit into the crew. She challenged authority, questioned Captain Janeway’s decisions, and struggled with emotions and social norms. This created a dynamic that re-energized the series, prompting the crew—and the audience—to reconsider what it means to be human.
Seven also embodied a classic Star Trek archetype: the outsider who helps humanity examine itself. Much like Spock in The Original Series and Data in The Next Generation, Seven allowed Voyager to explore complex themes of identity, free will, and morality.
The Evolution of Seven of Nine in Picard
After Voyager ended, fans thought they had seen the last of Seven of Nine. But in 2020, Jeri Ryan returned to the role in Star Trek: Picard, unveiling a new version of the character.
No longer constrained by Starfleet or Borg programming, this iteration of Seven was independent, hardened by experience, and deeply disillusioned. Years of life and loss had shaped her into a vigilante, taking justice into her own hands.
Ryan’s performance in Picard reaffirmed why Seven of Nine remains one of the most compelling characters in Star Trek history. Her transformation—from Borg drone to Starfleet officer to rogue fighter—represents the ongoing struggle of someone searching for their place in the universe.
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A Legacy That Lasts
Jeri Ryan’s portrayal of Seven of Nine was a game-changer, breathing new life into Voyager and leaving a lasting imprint on the Star Trek legacy. Despite the difficulties—on-set tension, an uncomfortable costume, and the pressures of embodying such an iconic role—she delivered a performance that still resonates with fans to this day.
Her return in Picard only cemented what Star Trek fans have known for years: Seven of Nine is one of the greatest characters in Star Trek history, and Jeri Ryan is a legend in her own right.
