Jeri Ryan’s portrayal of Seven of Nine is widely regarded as one of the best in the Star Trek franchise. When she joined Star Trek: Voyager in 1997, the show was struggling with low ratings, and bringing in the striking former Borg drone was a key move to revitalize it. The network’s gamble paid off with a 60% jump in viewership, largely credited to Ryan’s mesmerizing performance.
Despite being hired for her beauty, Ryan brought incredible depth to Seven of Nine, portraying a complex character caught between cold Borg precision and emerging humanity. Her performance, especially in episodes exploring Seven’s fractured identity, showcased her acting prowess beyond the iconic catsuit.
Interestingly, Ryan initially turned down the role four times. She hadn’t even watched the show and was skeptical after seeing what she considered “the worst hour of television.” Executive producer Jeri Taylor’s consistent persuasion finally led Ryan to accept the role and transform Seven into an iconic Star Trek character.
However, off-camera, Ryan faced tension with co-star Kate Mulgrew, who portrayed Captain Janeway. Mulgrew’s focus was on steering the series towards less sexualization and more intellectual and leadership themes, clashing with the network’s desire to use Ryan’s character’s sexual appeal to boost ratings. This friction lingered for years but eventually gave way to mutual respect and an apology from Mulgrew.
Ryan endured many challenges, including being sewn into an extremely tight, one-piece catsuit that caused breathing difficulties and made bathroom breaks difficult. By the end of the series, she famously burned the catsuit, symbolically closing that chapter.
