Jeri Ryan’s portrayal of Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager became iconic, transforming the show and adding a depth to the character that went beyond her striking appearance. Initially, the producers hired her to boost the ratings, and she succeeded, with viewership soaring by 60% after her introduction. Though the role seemed purely visual, Ryan’s performance revealed a complex, vulnerable character, especially in an episode where Seven shifts between personalities.
Despite initially rejecting the role four times, Ryan eventually accepted after pressure from the producers. The tension with co-star Kate Mulgrew, who felt that Seven’s sexualized character overshadowed her strong Captain Janeway, was palpable for years, though they later reconciled.
Ryan’s struggle with the infamous tight catsuit was another behind-the-scenes challenge, leading her to burn the costume after the series ended. She also faced the oddities of sci-fi, including “force field acting,” where actors had to pretend to interact with invisible objects.
Seven represented more than just a crewmember; she introduced conflict and became an outsider challenging humanity’s concepts of identity and morality. The high heels were simply part of the design for a sleek, memorable look.
For Ryan, playing Seven of Nine was both challenging and rewarding, making it one of her most memorable roles.
