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    Seven of Nine: Tension and secrets on set of Star Trek

    The Story Behind Seven of Nine
    They may have hired Jeri Ryan for her looks, but Seven of Nine became one of Star Trek’s most compelling characters.

    Her skintight bodysuit certainly caught attention, but her depth, vulnerability, and struggle to reclaim her humanity made her unforgettable. However, behind the scenes, things weren’t always smooth.

    The Game Behind Jeri Ryan’s Success
    When Jeri Ryan joined Star Trek: Voyager in 1997, the show was struggling. Ratings had dropped, and the producers needed a game-changer. Enter Seven of Nine: a former Borg drone, cold and logical, yet fighting to rediscover her human side.

    Her arrival in season four had an immediate impact—ratings shot up by 60%. But what surprised everyone was just how good she was. She wasn’t just eye candy; her performance in emotionally complex episodes proved she had serious acting chops.

    Why She Turned Down the Role Four Times
    Despite becoming an icon, Ryan initially rejected the role four times.

    Why? Because she had never watched Star Trek: Voyager—and when she finally did, she hated it.

    “It was the worst hour of television I had ever seen,” she admitted in 2020.

    Only after relentless persuasion (and watching First Contact to understand the Borg) did she agree to take the role.

    The Behind-the-Scenes Feud
    One of the most well-known tensions on set was between Jeri Ryan and Voyager’s lead, Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway).

    Mulgrew had fought to make Star Trek less about sex appeal and more about leadership. But when Seven of Nine arrived—young, beautiful, and in a skintight suit—she felt the show was heading in the opposite direction.

    Though never outright hostile, their on-set tension was obvious. Over time, however, Mulgrew admitted to her frustration and even apologized. Today, the two appear at conventions together and laugh about their past feud.

    The Nightmare of Seven’s Costume
    Seven of Nine’s bodysuit looked futuristic on screen, but behind the scenes, it was a nightmare.

    The corset was so tight, Ryan could barely breathe.
    She had to be sewn into it for every scene.
    Bathroom breaks took 20 minutes, earning them the on-set term “Code Jeri-Twenty.”
    By the time Voyager wrapped, Ryan was done with it—literally. She burned her last catsuit, ensuring she’d never have to wear it again.

    The Force Field Acting Challenge
    One of the funniest struggles of acting in Star Trek? The infamous “force field acting.”

    In The Gift, Seven had to throw herself at an invisible force field, pretending to hit a barrier that wasn’t actually there. Crew members often had to stifle laughter as actors dramatically flailed against empty air.

    The Meaning Behind Seven of Nine
    Jeri Ryan has always spoken about what made Seven of Nine so important.

    Before her arrival, Voyager lacked internal conflict. Once the Maquis and Starfleet had settled their differences, it became a “big happy family.” But Seven was different—she challenged the crew, forcing them to confront their own humanity.

    Much like Spock or Data before her, Seven of Nine became Star Trek’s classic “outsider” character—someone who forced both the crew and the audience to think about identity, free will, and morality.

    Why Seven of Nine Wore Heels
    Ever wonder why Seven strutted around Voyager in heels? Simple: everyone wore them!

    “All the female characters wore boots with heels,” Ryan explained. “And if you’re in a bodysuit, walking around in flats isn’t happening!”

    Though not the most practical choice for a former Borg drone, it certainly made her look iconic.

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