When Star Trek: Voyager introduced Seven of Nine, they weren’t just adding another character—they were saving the show. Jeri Ryan, who portrayed the former Borg drone turned Starfleet officer, was initially cast for her striking looks, but she quickly proved to be one of the franchise’s most compelling characters.
Her journey on Voyager brought depth, tension, and character development that helped rejuvenate the series, driving ratings up by 60%. But behind the sleek catsuits and powerful performances, tensions simmered on set, and Ryan’s experience was far from smooth sailing.
From casting conflicts to on-set rivalries, and even a secret grudge, the untold story of Seven of Nine’s time on Voyager is just as intriguing as anything that happened on screen.
Jeri Ryan Almost Turned Down the Role—Four Times!
Despite her now-iconic role, Jeri Ryan wasn’t exactly thrilled about joining the Star Trek universe at first. In fact, she turned down the role four times before finally accepting it.
Why? Because she didn’t think the show was any good.
Ryan later revealed that when she was first approached for the role, she had never seen an episode of Voyager. When she finally did watch one, she described it as “the worst hour of television” she had ever seen.
However, after reading more about the complexity of Seven of Nine’s character and receiving relentless persuasion from executive producer Jeri Taylor, Ryan finally agreed to take on the role. And as history has shown, that decision changed Voyager forever.
The Secret Feud: Jeri Ryan vs. Kate Mulgrew
On-screen, Seven of Nine and Captain Janeway had a mentor-student relationship filled with tension and conflict. Off-screen? That tension was very real.
Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway, had built Voyager around strong, intelligent storytelling—and she resented the network’s decision to bring in a hyper-sexualized character to boost ratings.
She later admitted that she wasn’t happy about Jeri Ryan’s arrival and made things difficult for her on set.
Ryan recalled that she felt the hostility immediately, saying:
“It was a very real, very difficult, very stressful working situation for me.”
Even other Voyager cast members noticed. Tensions weren’t just rumors—they were visible to everyone.
But why was Mulgrew so upset?
- She felt that Seven’s skin-tight costume undermined the work she had done to create a strong female lead.
- She believed that Star Trek should focus on intellectual storytelling, not sex appeal.
- She resented that Seven of Nine quickly became the focus of the show, shifting attention away from Captain Janeway.
However, years later, Mulgrew publicly apologized to Ryan, admitting her frustration wasn’t personal but rather directed at the network’s decision to change the direction of the show.
Mulgrew told Ryan: “You did a marvelous job in a very difficult role.”
Since then, the two have reconciled, often appearing together at Star Trek conventions, laughing about their past conflicts.
The Nightmare of Seven of Nine’s Catsuit
Seven of Nine’s metallic bodysuit was iconic—but for Jeri Ryan, it was a nightmare to wear.
✔️ The suit was so tight that she could barely breathe.
✔️ She couldn’t put it on or take it off by herself—the costume department had to sew her into it every day.
✔️ Bathroom breaks were impossible—she often had to hold it for hours at a time because taking off the suit was too much of an ordeal.
The situation got so bad that the cast and crew came up with a special radio code—“Code Jeri-Twenty”—to signal when Ryan needed an urgent break.
And when Voyager wrapped? She burned the catsuit to make sure she never had to wear it again.
The Challenge of “Force Field Acting”
One of the funniest—and most ridiculous—challenges actors faced on Voyager was pretending to hit invisible force fields.
In the episode The Gift, Seven of Nine is thrown into a force field prison—but of course, there was no actual force field.
Ryan had to hurl herself against thin air, reacting as if she was being physically repelled.
“Force field acting is basically throwing yourself at nothing and hoping you don’t look ridiculous,” Ryan joked in an interview.
It became an inside joke among cast members—especially since half the time, the crew struggled to keep a straight face watching it happen.
Why Seven of Nine Wore High Heels in Voyager
If you ever wondered why a former Borg drone was strutting around a spaceship in high heels, you’re not alone.
Many fans questioned the practicality of Seven of Nine’s footwear, but Jeri Ryan had a simple explanation:
✔️ All the female characters wore heels! Even Captain Janeway’s boots had a two-inch lift.
✔️ The heels helped elongate her silhouette, making the form-fitting catsuit even more striking.
✔️ Star Trek’s costume design was more about aesthetics than realism.
“If you’re already wearing a body stocking, flats aren’t going to work,” Ryan laughed.
What Seven of Nine Brought to Voyager
Seven of Nine wasn’t just a ratings booster—she was one of the most layered characters in the Star Trek franchise.
✔️ She brought conflict to the crew. Before her arrival, Voyager was too harmonious—the tensions between Starfleet and the Maquis had faded, and the show needed internal drama.
✔️ She fit into Star Trek’s tradition of “outsider” characters. Like Spock, Data, and Odo, Seven was an alien learning to understand humanity, offering fresh perspectives on identity, morality, and individuality.
✔️ She forced Captain Janeway to evolve. Janeway’s dynamic with Seven allowed her to be both a mentor and a disciplinarian, adding depth to her leadership role.
By the end of Voyager, Seven of Nine wasn’t just a fan favorite—she was one of the franchise’s most complex and enduring characters.
Final Thoughts: The Legacy of Seven of Nine
Jeri Ryan’s arrival on Voyager may have been met with resistance, but her impact was undeniable.
✔️ She revitalized the show and gave it a new level of depth.
✔️ She overcame behind-the-scenes struggles and delivered one of the best performances in Star Trek history.
✔️ She became an iconic part of the franchise, later reprising her role in Star Trek: Picard.
From tense set dynamics to grueling costume challenges, Seven of Nine’s real-life journey was just as dramatic as her character’s arc.
And looking back? It’s clear—Voyager wouldn’t have been the same without her. 🚀
