Her presence on Voyager, clad in her form-fitting bodysuits, was captivating, but it was her character’s depth that truly drew viewers in.

However, did you know she faced a hidden adversary while filming?

The game behind Jeri Ryan’s success

When Jeri Ryan joined the cast of Star Trek: Voyager in 1997, the series was struggling. With declining ratings and mounting pressure, the producers recognized they needed a game-changer. That’s when Seven of Nine was introduced.

Once a Borg drone disconnected from the Collective, her character embodied a blend of icy precision and hidden humanity, presenting a complex enigma.

Her debut in season four had an immediate impact, causing ratings to soar by an impressive 60%. The network took a risk on her, relying on her striking charisma to attract viewers, and it paid off.

What they may not have expected was just how exceptional she truly was. Beyond being a captivating presence in a form-fitting uniform, she was an actress with incredible depth. She didn’t merely portray Seven; she fully embodied the character, revealing layers of vulnerability beneath her tough exterior.

One particular episode shines brightly—where Seven, overwhelmed by a multitude of personalities, rapidly transitions between identities. This performance was award-worthy, showcasing a level of talent that surpassed the show’s sci-fi elements.

They brought her on board to rescue Voyager, but what they received was something far more remarkable.

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 college education, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time acting career.

In 1997, she was still relatively unknown when the creators of Star Trek: Voyager sought her for the role of Seven of Nine. To their surprise, Ryan turned down the offer not just once, but four times.

So, what was her hesitation? In a January 2020 interview, Jeri Ryan shared that when the producers first reached out to her about Star Trek: Voyager, she had never watched the series. Out of curiosity, she decided to view an episode—and quickly regretted it, calling it “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 Big Star Trek encyclopedia, or whatever it’s called, to help me get up to speed on my Star Trek knowledge,” Ryan recounted.

It was only after persistent encouragement from executive producer Jeri Taylor that she ultimately agreed to take on the iconic role of Seven of Nine, a Borg drone liberated from the collective consciousness of the Borg.

The fight the camera didn’t catch

Before the cameras even started rolling, Jeri Ryan could sense it—a tight knot of anxiety forming in her stomach at the thought of acting alongside co-star Kate Mulgrew. It wasn’t just nerves or stage fright; it was a deeper, unspoken tension that filled the air whenever they shared the screen.

The rest of the Voyager cast had picked up on it too. The friction between the two actresses was not merely gossip; it was a genuine issue that lingered unresolved for years. Ryan, the fresh face on the show, had stepped into the limelight as Seven of Nine, the striking former Borg drone. Meanwhile, Mulgrew, the established lead, had dedicated years to shaping Captain Janeway into a strong, independent character, resisting any attempts to force her into a romantic storyline. Suddenly, all the attention shifted to Seven.

For Mulgrew, it wasn’t a personal matter—at least not initially. She aimed to steer Star Trek away from blatant sexualization, focusing instead on themes of intellect, leadership, and exploration. However, the network had different ideas. They introduced Ryan, a character who was both beautiful and overtly sexualized, in an effort to boost the show’s ratings. And it worked.

The tension between them persisted for years, a quiet storm brewing beneath the surface. Ryan focused on her performances, while Mulgrew grappled with her own frustrations.

Remove time, a shift occurred. Mulgrew, reflecting on her experiences, began to see the situation more clearly. She eventually recognized her feelings of resentment, admitted how challenging she had made things for Ryan, and took responsibility for their complicated relationship.

Then, she surprised everyone by offering an apology.

“You did an incredible job in a very tough role,” she expressed to Ryan. The past was behind them. The tension, the icy stares, and the unspoken frustrations were all in the past.

Since that moment, they have appeared together at Star Trek conventions, sharing laughter, fond memories, and demonstrating that even the most significant divides can be mended. Looking at recent photos, it’s hard to believe these two once had such a strained relationship on set.

She burned her own catsuit

While Seven of Nine’s striking 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 get in and out of it. Lacking a zipper, she had to be sewn into the suit each time she wore it, making the removal process quite challenging.

Even a simple bathroom break became a lengthy process, forcing 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 affair, leading to her own radio code: “Code Jeri-Twenty.”

As the years went by, Ryan’s frustration with the outfit intensified, and by the end of Voyager, she was determined to part ways with it for good. Without a second thought, she burned the costume, ensuring she would never have to endure it again.

The invisible Wall of Shame

On the set of Star Trek: Voyager, where the wonders of science fiction blend with the silliness of make-believe, actors often honed their skills in the unique technique of “force field acting.” This involved dramatically throwing themselves against an imaginary barrier and making it appear believable.

Consider the memorable scene in The Gift, one of the early episodes featuring Seven of Nine. With the gravity of a Starfleet officer confronting certain peril, the actor had to launch themselves at the brig’s supposed force field — which, in reality, didn’t exist. There was no shimmering energy shield, no tangible resistance, just the stark, indifferent air of a soundstage.

“You end up doing a lot of acting to nothing, since there are many special effects involved. You find yourself performing in front of a green or blue screen, which means you’re reacting to nothing at all,” Ryan once shared.

The outcome? An incredibly awkward display where the actors launched themselves forward, only to halt abruptly, arms flailing and faces twisted in exaggerated pain, while the crew behind the camera struggled (and occasionally failed) to suppress their laughter.

The term “force field acting” quickly turned into an inside joke. It wasn’t merely about creating a believable illusion; it was about maintaining a serious demeanor while fully aware of how utterly ridiculous you appeared.

That’s the charm of science fiction. One moment, you’re facing off against cosmic threats, and the next, you’re hurling yourself at thin air, trusting that the CGI team will make it all look good.

What did Seven of Nine represent in Voyager?

If you ask Jeri Ryan, she has a lot to share about the character she came to cherish.

Seven of Nine was more than just another crew member—she was a catalyst for change. Prior to her arrival, Voyager had settled into a cozy routine. The tension between Starfleet and the Maquis had diminished, resulting in minimal internal strife. Everyone was getting along—perhaps a bit too well.

Then came Seven. A former Borg drone, she was cut off from the collective and had to learn to embrace her individuality for the first time. She wasn’t just another crewmate; she was a challenge and a disruptor. Ryan felt this was precisely what the show needed.

In hindsight, Ryan has pondered what made her character so significant, not only to the series but also to the larger Star Trek legacy.

“Humanity, in general, was one of the aspects Seven allowed them to delve into,” she noted. “She introduced conflict to the show—something that was unfortunately missing. Once the Maquis reconciled with Janeway and her crew, it became one big happy family.”

However, it wasn’t just the conflict that made her presence so intriguing. Seven of Nine embodied a classic Star Trek archetype: the outsider who compels humanity to reflect on itself. Similar to Spock, Data, or Odo before her, Seven offered a distinctive perspective through which the series could tackle profound philosophical inquiries about identity, morality, and free will.

Why Seven of Nine Wore High Heels

Have you ever wondered why Seven of Nine walked around the Voyager in high heels? Fans have speculated about the practicality of this choice for years, but Jeri Ryan offers a straightforward explanation: all the female characters wore heels!

“All the women wore boots with heels,” she shared. “And if you’re going to be in a body stocking, I don’t want to see you walking around in flats—it’s just not going to happen!”

The choice of heels wasn’t necessarily about character development; it was more about design, aiming to create a sleek and elongated appearance.

So, while high heels might not have been the most sensible footwear for a former Borg drone, they certainly contributed to a memorable look.

The Hidden Challenge of Portraying Seven of Nine

It’s well-known that Jeri Ryan’s costume in Star Trek: Voyager was one of the most challenging aspects of her role. However, there was another less obvious hurdle—one that becomes amusingly apparent when you look at behind-the-scenes photos.

Maintaining a straight face.

“The two biggest challenges with Seven were keeping a straight face and working with all those guys who were completely wild,” Ryan once confessed.

Despite Seven of Nine’s Borg precision and stoic exterior, she was still human. She experienced emotions just like everyone else, but she struggled to express them. In fact, she was often afraid to do so. Every feeling was meticulously concealed beneath a facade of calm detachment.

“There’s a delicate balance between being unemotional and over-expressing,” Ryan noted. “That challenge was really enjoyable to tackle as an actor.”

Yet, amidst all this restraint and subtlety, she found herself surrounded by a cast of pranksters. While Seven maintained her rigid posture and delivered lines in her signature controlled manner, chaos often erupted just out of sight. Keeping a straight face in such an environment? Much easier said than done.

Desktop the challenges, Ryan frequently refers to her role as Seven as one of the highlights of her career. “This character was truly a gift for an actor,” she remarked. “For Seven, everything was a new experience, every moment a discovery.”

For fans, Seven of Nine stands out as one of the most intriguing and cherished characters from Voyager. For Ryan, portraying her was both a delightful challenge—whether she was facing off against the Borg or trying to hold back laughter on set.

Now, we’ve had a chance to appreciate Jeri Ryan’s remarkable performance in Star Trek: Voyager! Her interpretation of Seven of Nine infused the series with depth, resilience, and a hint of vulnerability, solidifying her status as one of the most memorable characters in Star Trek lore.

The AI Illusion of Seven.

So, you found your way to this article because of that captivating image, didn’t you? No need to feel guilty—we all appreciate a stunning visual. But here’s the catch: that image isn’t real.

Indeed! What you see is the creation of AI, a digital illusion produced by algorithms instead of traditional Hollywood effects. If you examine it closely, you might notice some discrepancies—the uniform may seem almost accurate, but there’s something that feels… off.

The details don’t quite align with the sleek Starfleet aesthetics we associate with Voyager. Perhaps it’s the material, the cut, or the fact that it resembles something from Star Trek: Alternate Reality Edition more than what we’ve seen on screen.

There’s something almost poetic about it. Seven of Nine — a character caught in the tension between her human identity and her artificial precision — is now being reinterpreted by an AI striving to mimic reality. It’s like a blend of the Borg and Photoshop, and honestly? That’s pretty amusing.

What are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite moment featuring Seven of Nine? Let’s discuss and ignite a conversation! And if you liked this, don’t hesitate to share it with other Star Trek enthusiasts!