Jeri Ryan, known for her role in Star Trek: Voyager, recently shared her disappointment with how her character was portrayed at the ST: CHI convention in Chicago. Star Trek has often had an inconsistent track record with its female characters, and Seven of Nine is a prime example. Despite being a fan favorite on Voyager, Ryan felt her character was overly sexualized, particularly through the impractical and revealing catsuit she was required to wear. The costume was so difficult to get in and out of – taking around 20 minutes each time – that it initially caused delays in filming whenever Ryan needed to use the restroom.
Jeri Ryan recently spoke at the Star Trek: Chicago convention about the initial reaction to her character, Seven of Nine (according to TrekMovie). It turns out Kate Mulgrew, who had previously objected to the sexualization of her character, Captain Janeway, was upset by Seven of Nine’s introduction, leading to a disagreement between the two actresses. Mulgrew has since apologized for her reaction, and Ryan now understands her perspective.
Looking back, the situation wasn’t handled very well. I spoke with Kate Mulgrew for about three hours on the cruise in 2020, and hearing her perspective on how things unfolded – from both the production and network sides – made it clear it wasn’t a positive experience. I believe the whole situation could and should have been managed much differently, for everyone involved. It definitely wasn’t enjoyable for anyone.
Jeri Ryan was fully aware of the intentions behind Seven of Nine’s appearance on Voyager. She participated in all the costume fittings and conversations about the character, understanding the creative choices being made. She was comfortable with the costume’s sexiness, acknowledging it was a deliberate design element and that the show aired in the 1990s, a different cultural context.
Ryan understood that Seven of Nine wasn’t defined by her revealing outfit, and in fact, the outfit seemed to go against what the character was truly about. He was particularly fascinated by the character itself, especially after seeing the audition. While one scene, the famous “you wish to copulate” exchange with Harry Kim, made it to the show, another scene he saw was even more compelling.
There was a scene written for Seven and Chakotay that I thought was incredibly beautiful – one of the best I’ve ever read for an audition. It showed Seven experiencing her first memory of laughter, and it was truly moving. Unfortunately, it was never filmed.
Seeing that scene sparked an idea for the character. I remembered my son, who was about two and a half years old at the time, and how he used to laugh at his own laughter as a baby – it would genuinely surprise him. That moment made me realize the character’s potential and where I could take it.
Seven of Nine Has a Troubled Legacy
Seven of Nine remains a complex character with a controversial history. The long-standing conflict between actors Kate Mulgrew and Jeri Ryan still affects how people view Voyager. Additionally, the character’s initial portrayal was often overly sexualized. While Ryan initially accepted this aspect of the role, she now has mixed feelings. She explains that she was okay with it at the time because of her commitment to the character, but wouldn’t be comfortable with it now, stating, “I was all right with it then, but not today.”
The show didn’t get everything right at first. Ryan felt the storyline involving Harry Kim happened too soon, before Seven of Nine’s character had been fully developed. However, Ryan collaborated closely with writer Brannon Braga, and she still admires his creative direction for the character. They developed a close relationship and even dated for a while.
Everything my character said on Voyager was either written directly by Brannon Braga or heavily revised by him. He had a very clear vision for her, and she was truly his creation. He consistently wrote her perfectly, and I never once questioned her dialogue or actions. He understood her inner thoughts completely, which made my job as an actor much easier. I felt very fortunate to have such well-written material to work with.
Ryan reprised her role as Seven of Nine in all three seasons of Star Trek: Picard, but she found it challenging. The story took place much later in the timeline, and her character had evolved. She explains, “I’d become very comfortable with a particular way of playing the character, and there were moments where I wasn’t sure if I was hitting the mark. Fortunately, the producers were receptive to my suggestions and feedback.”
Overall, it seems like a far more enjoyable experience than Star Trek: Voyager – and that’s exactly what this beloved actress had earned.
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2025-12-01 15:11