Jeri Ryan may have been cast for her striking appearance, but Seven of Nine emerged as one of the most compelling characters in the entire Star Trek franchise.
Her presence aboard the Voyager, clad in her form-fitting suits, was captivating; however, her character’s complexity was equally intriguing.
Interestingly, she faced a hidden adversary on set.
The strategy behind Jeri Ryan’s rise to fame
When Jeri Ryan joined the cast of Star Trek: Voyager in 1997, the series was struggling. With declining ratings and increasing pressure, the producers recognized the need for a transformative element. This is where Seven of Nine came into play.
As a former Borg drone detached from the Collective, her character embodied a blend of icy precision and repressed humanity, presenting a mystery waiting to be unraveled.
Her introduction in the fourth season had an immediate impact, with ratings soaring by an impressive 60%. The network had taken a risk on her, relying on her striking presence to attract viewers, and it paid off. However, they may not have fully anticipated her exceptional talent. She was not merely a captivating figure in a tight uniform; she was an actress of profound depth. She didn’t just portray Seven; she fully inhabited the role, revealing layers of vulnerability beneath her tough exterior.
One particular episode is especially memorable—where Seven, overwhelmed by a multitude of personalities, transitions rapidly between identities. This performance was deserving of an award, showcasing her extraordinary talent that surpassed the show’s science fiction context.
They brought her on board to revitalize Voyager, but what they received was far more significant.
The reason she declined the role four times
Jeri Ryan, originally named Jeri Lynn Zimmermann, was born on February 22, 1968, in Munich, West Germany. After completing her education, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. In 1997, she was relatively obscure when the creators of Star Trek: Voyager sought her for the role of Seven of Nine. Surprisingly, Ryan rejected the offer not just once, but four times.However, what was the reason for her reluctance to participate? In a January 2020 interview, Jeri Ryan disclosed that when the producers initially approached her regarding Star Trek: Voyager, she had never watched the series. Out of curiosity, she decided to view an episode, only to quickly regret her decision, describing it as “the worst hour of television” she had ever experienced.
“They provided me with a copy of First Contact, the film, so I could at least understand what a Borg was. They also gave me a copy of the comprehensive Star Trek encyclopedia, or whatever it is called, to help me enhance my knowledge of the franchise,” Ryan elaborated.
It was only after persistent encouragement from executive producer Jeri Taylor that she ultimately consented to take on the iconic role of Seven of Nine, a Borg drone liberated from the collective consciousness of the Borg.
The conflict that went unseen by the camera
Before the cameras began rolling, Jeri Ryan could sense it—a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach at the mere thought of sharing a scene with co-star Kate Mulgrew. This was not mere nervousness or stage fright; it was a deeper, unspoken tension that permeated the atmosphere whenever they collaborated.
Most of the Voyager cast had observed this dynamic. The friction between them was not just gossip; it was genuine and remained unresolved for years. Ryan, as the newcomer, had been thrust into the limelight as Seven of Nine, the striking former Borg drone. Mulgrew, the show’s established lead, had dedicated years to developing Captain Janeway as a strong, independent character, resisting all attempts to force her into a romantic storyline. Suddenly, the focus shifted to Seven.
For Mulgrew, it was not a personal issue—at least, not initially. She aimed to steer Star Trek away from overt sexualization, emphasizing intellect, leadership, and exploration instead. However, the network had different intentions. They introduced Ryan, a character who was both beautiful and undeniably sexualized, to boost the show’s ratings. And it succeeded.
The tension between them persisted for years, a quiet storm brewing beneath the surface. Ryan maintained her composure.Even something as simple as a bathroom break turned into a time-consuming ordeal, forcing her to “hold it” for long stretches just to avoid delaying filming. A simple bathroom break on set turned into a 20-minute ordeal, which led to her own radio code: “Code Jeri-Twenty.”
Ryan’s frustration with the outfit grew over the years, and by the time Voyager wrapped, she had only one thing left to do — get rid of it for good. With no hesitation, she burned the costume, making sure she would never have to squeeze into it again.Over time, a transformation occurred. Mulgrew, reflecting with the benefit of hindsight, began to understand the broader context. She later confessed her feelings of resentment, recognized the challenges she had imposed on Ryan, and accepted her role in their complicated relationship.
In a surprising turn of events, she offered an apology.
“You performed exceptionally well in a challenging role,” she expressed to Ryan. The past was behind them. The tension, the icy glances, and the unvoiced frustrations had come to an end.
Since that moment, they have appeared together at Star Trek conventions, sharing laughter and fond memories, demonstrating that even the most significant divides can be mended. Looking at recent photographs, it is hard to believe that these two once had a contentious relationship on set.
She disposed of her own catsuit.
While Seven of Nine’s iconic catsuit appeared sleek and futuristic on screen, the reality behind the scenes was quite different. The corset was so constricting that Jeri Ryan found it difficult to breathe while wearing it. Between takes, she often had to lie down to catch her breath before returning to the camera.
The form-fitting, one-piece design meant that Jeri Ryan required assistance from the costume department to put it on or take it off. As the suit lacked a zipper, she had to be sewn into it each time she wore it, making removal a challenging process. Even a simple bathroom break became a lengthy affair, compelling her to “hold it” for extended periods to avoid delaying filming. What should have been a quick trip to the restroom turned into a 20-minute task, leading to her own radio code: “Code Jeri-Twenty.”
As Ryan’s frustration with the outfit mounted over the years, by the conclusion of Voyager, she decided to take decisive action—she burned the costume, ensuring she would never have to endure it again.The Unseen Challenge of Portraying Seven of Nine
While it is well-known that Jeri Ryan faced significant difficulties with her costume during her time on Star Trek: Voyager, there was another less apparent challenge that becomes amusingly evident when reviewing behind-the-scenes images.
Maintaining composure.
Ryan once revealed, “The two biggest challenges with Seven were keeping a straight face and working with all those guys who were absolutely nuts.”
Despite Seven of Nine’s Borg precision and stoic exterior, she was fundamentally human. She experienced emotions like anyone else, yet struggled to express them. In fact, she was often fearful of doing so, with her feelings meticulously concealed beneath a facade of calm detachment.
“There’s a fine line between being unemotional and showing too much,” Ryan elaborated. “That challenge was really fun to play as an actor.”
Amidst this restraint and subtlety, Ryan found herself surrounded by a cast known for their playful antics. While Seven maintained her rigid posture and delivered her lines with her characteristic control, chaos frequently erupted just outside the camera’s view. Keeping a straight face in such an environment was no small feat.
Despite these challenges, Ryan has frequently referred to Seven as one of the most rewarding roles of her career. “This character really was a gift as an actor,” she remarked. “Everything was new to Seven, everything was a discovery.”
For fans, Seven of Nine stands out as one of the most intriguing and cherished characters in Voyager. For Ryan, she represented both a challenge and a source of joy—whether she was confronting the Borg or simply trying to suppress laughter on set.
In summary, we have gained insight into Jeri Ryan’s remarkable performance in Star Trek: Voyager. Her interpretation of Seven of Nine infused the series with depth, strength, and a hint of vulnerability, solidifying her status as one of the most iconic figures in Star Trek lore.The AI Illusion of Seven
You were drawn to this article by that captivating image, weren’t you? There’s no need to feel embarrassed; we all appreciate a compelling visual. However, here’s the surprising fact: the image is not genuine.
Indeed! What you see is a creation of artificial intelligence, a digital fabrication produced by algorithms instead of cinematic wizardry. Upon closer inspection, you may notice subtle discrepancies—while the uniform appears nearly accurate, there is something that feels… amiss.
