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

They may have hired Jeri Ryan for her beauty, but Seven of Nine turned out to be one of the best characters in the entire Star Trek franchise.

Watching her walk around Voyager in her body suits was kind of mesmerizing – but her character was really interesting, too.

But did you know she had a secret enemy on set?

The game behind Jeri Ryan’s success

When Jeri Ryan stepped onto the set of Star Trek: Voyager in 1997, the show was teetering on the edge. The ratings were slipping, the stakes were high, and the producers knew they needed something — or someone — to turn things around. Enter Seven of Nine.

A former Borg drone severed from the Collective, her character was a fusion of cold precision and buried humanity, a puzzle waiting to be solved.

And when she appeared in season four, the effect was immediate. Ratings skyrocketed — by a staggering 60%. The network had gambled on her, banking on her striking presence to pull in viewers. And it worked.

But what they might not have anticipated was just how good she truly was. Not just a mesmerizing figure in a skintight uniform, but an actress of remarkable depth. She didn’t just play Seven; she became her, layer by layer, letting glimpses of vulnerability slip through the steel.

One episode, in particular, stands out—one where Seven, fractured by a cascade of personalities, shifts from one identity to another in rapid succession. It was a performance that should have earned her an award, a showcase of sheer talent that transcended the show’s sci-fi trappings.

They hired her to save Voyager. What they got was something far greater.

Why she turned down the role four times

Jeri Ryan, born Jeri Lynn Zimmermann on February 22, 1968, in Munich, West Germany, moved to Los Angeles after college to pursue acting full-time.

In 1997, she was relatively unknown when the creators of Star Trek: Voyager set their sights on her for the role of Seven of Nine. Surprisingly, Ryan turned down the part not once, but four times.

But, why didn’t she want to join? In a January 2020 interview, Jeri Ryan revealed that when producers first approached her about Star Trek: Voyager, she had never seen the show. Curious, she decided to watch an episode — and quickly regretted it. She described it as “the worst hour of television” she had ever seen.

”They gave me a copy of First Contact, the movie, so I could at least see what a Borg was. They also gave me a copy of the Big Star Trek encyclopaedia, whatever it is, so that I could bone up on my Star Trek knowledge,” Ryan explained.

It was only after relentless persuasion from executive producer Jeri Taylor that she finally agreed to take on the iconic role as Seven of Nine, a Borg drone who was freed from the Borg’s collective consciousness.

The fight the camera didn’t catch

Jeri Ryan would feel it before the cameras even rolled — a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach at the mere thought of sharing a scene with co-star Kate Mulgrew. It wasn’t nerves. It wasn’t stage fright. It was something heavier, an unspoken tension that hung in the air whenever they worked together.

Most of the Voyager cast had noticed it. The friction between them wasn’t just rumor; it was real, and for years, it remained unresolved. Ryan, the newcomer, had been thrust into the spotlight as Seven of Nine, the undeniably striking former Borg drone. Mulgrew, the show’s seasoned lead, had spent years crafting Captain Janeway as a strong, independent figure, resisting every attempt to shoehorn her character into a romance. And now, suddenly, all eyes were on Seven.

For Mulgrew, it wasn’t personal — at least, not at first. She had wanted to shift Star Trek away from overt sexualization, to make it about intellect, leadership, and exploration. But the network had other plans. They had brought in Ryan, a beautiful and undeniably sexualized character, to revive the show’s ratings. And it worked.

The strain between them lingered for years, a quiet storm beneath the surface. Ryan kept her head down, delivering performance after performance, while Mulgrew wrestled with her own frustration.

Jeri Ryan and Kate Mulgrew at the 14th annual official Star Trek convention in Las Vegas / Getty Images

In time, though, something changed. Mulgrew, with the wisdom of hindsight, saw the bigger picture. She later admitted her resentment, acknowledged how difficult she had made things for Ryan, and owned her part in their troubled dynamic.

And then, she did something unexpected — she apologized.

“You did a marvelous job in a very difficult role,” she told Ryan. The past was the past. The tension, the cold looks, the unspoken frustrations—it was over.

Since then, they’ve shared the stage at Star Trek conventions, laughing, reminiscing, and proving that even the deepest rifts can be healed. Looking at pictures from today, it’s quite hard to believe these two didn’t get along on set?

She burned her own catsuit

Seven of Nine’s iconic catsuit may have looked sleek and futuristic on screen, but behind the scenes, it was a nightmare. Seven of Nine’s corset was so tight that Jeri Ryan struggled to breathe while wearing it. Between takes, she often had to lie down just to regain her breath before stepping back in front of the camera.

And the skintight, one-piece design meant Jeri Ryan couldn’t get in or out of it without help from the costume department. Since the suit was a one-piece with no zipper, Jeri Ryan had to be sewn into it every time she wore it, and getting out of it was no easy task

Even something as simple as a bathroom break turned into a time-consuming ordeal, forcing her to “hold it” for long stretches just to avoid delaying filming. A simple bathroom break on set turned into a 20-minute ordeal, which led to her own radio code: “Code Jeri-Twenty.”

Ryan’s frustration with the outfit grew over the years, and by the time Voyager wrapped, she had only one thing left to do — get rid of it for good. With no hesitation, she burned the costume, making sure she would never have to squeeze into it again.

The invisible Wall of Shame

On the set of Star Trek: Voyager, where the magic of sci-fi meets the absurdity of pretending, actors often found themselves engaged in the fine art of “force field acting” — a skill that required throwing oneself against absolutely nothing and making it look convincing.

Take, for example, the infamous moment in The Gift, one of the early episodes featuring Seven of Nine. With all the seriousness of a Starfleet officer facing imminent doom, the actor had to hurl themselves at the brig’s force field — except, of course, there was no force field. No shimmering energy barrier. No resistance. Just the cold, unfeeling air of a soundstage.

”You do a lot of acting to nothing, because there is a lot of special effects, so you’re acting on a green screen or a blue screen, which means you’re acting to nothing and reacting to nothing,” Ryan once explained.

CBS Photo Archive/Delivered by Online USA

The result? A spectacularly awkward performance where they flung themselves forward, only to stop mid-motion, arms flailing, face contorted in mock pain — while the crew tried (and sometimes failed) to stifle laughter behind the camera.

”Force field acting” quickly became an inside joke. It wasn’t just about selling the illusion — it was about doing it with a straight face while knowing that, in reality, you looked absolutely ridiculous.

But that’s the magic of sci-fi. One day, you’re battling intergalactic threats. The next, you’re throwing yourself at nothing and hoping the CGI team has your back.

What did Seven of Nine stand for in Voyager?

If you ask Jeri Ryan herself, she has plenty to say about the character she grew to love.

Seven of Nine wasn’t just another addition to the crew—she was a force of change. Before her arrival, Voyager had settled into a comfortable rhythm. The tension between Starfleet and the Maquis had faded, leaving little internal conflict. Everyone got along. Too well, perhaps.

But then came Seven. A former Borg drone, severed from the hive mind and forced to navigate individuality for the first time. She wasn’t just a crewmate; she was a challenge. A disruptor. And that, Ryan believed, was exactly what the show needed.

Looking back, Ryan has reflected on what made her character so important, not just to the series but to the broader Star Trek legacy.

”Humanity, in general, was one of the things Seven allowed them to explore,” she reflected. “She brought conflict to the show — something that was sadly lacking. Once the Maquis made up with Janeway and company, it was just one big happy family.”

But it wasn’t just conflict that made her addition so compelling. Seven of Nine fit into a classic Star Trek archetype: the outsider who forces humanity to examine itself. Much like Spock, Data, or Odo before her, Seven provided a unique lens through which the series could explore deep philosophical questions about identity, morality, and free will.

Why Seven of Nine wore high heels

Ever wondered why Seven of Nine strutted around Voyager in high heels? Fans have debated the practicality of it for years, but Jeri Ryan has a simple answer: everyone wore heels!

“All the female characters wore boots with heels,” she explained. “And if you’re going to walk around in a body stocking, I want to see you pad around in flats—it’s not happening!”

The heels weren’t necessarily a character choice, but rather a design decision to create a sleek, elongated silhouette.

So while it may not have been the most practical footwear for a former Borg drone, it certainly made for an unforgettable look.

The hidden challenge of playing Seven of Nine

We know that Jeri Ryan’s Star Trek: Voyager costume was one of the toughest parts of her time on set. But there was another challenge — one that isn’t as obvious when watching the series but becomes amusingly clear when looking back at behind-the-scenes photos.

Keeping a straight face.

“The two biggest challenges with Seven were keeping a straight face and working with all those guys who were absolutely nuts,” Ryan once admitted.

Seven of Nine, for all her Borg precision and stoic demeanor, was still human. She had emotions — just like everyone else — but she lacked the ability to express them. More than that, she was terrified to. Every feeling was carefully locked away, hidden beneath a surface of calm detachment.

“There’s a fine line between being unemotional and showing too much,” Ryan explained. “That challenge was really fun to play as an actor.”

And yet, in the middle of all this restraint and subtlety, she was surrounded by a cast full of pranksters. While Seven stood rigid, delivering lines in her signature controlled tone, chaos was often unfolding just out of frame. Keeping a straight face in the middle of it all? Easier said than done.

Despite the difficulty, Ryan has often described Seven as one of the greatest roles of her career. “This character really was a gift as an actor,” she said. “Everything was new to Seven, everything was a discovery.”

For fans, Seven of Nine remains one of Voyager’s most fascinating and beloved characters. And for Ryan, she was both a challenge and a joy—whether she was battling the Borg or just trying not to crack up on set.

So now we’ve gotten a glimpse into Jeri Ryan’s fantastic performance in Star Trek: Voyager! Her portrayal of Seven of Nine brought depth, strength, and a touch of vulnerability to the series, making her one of the most iconic characters in Star Trek history.

The AI Illusion of Seven

So, you clicked on this article because of that picture, didn’t you? No shame in that— we all love a striking image. But here’s the twist: the picture isn’t real.

That’s right! What you’re looking at is the work of AI, a digital illusion crafted by algorithms rather than Hollywood magic. And if you take a closer look, the signs are there—perhaps the uniform looks almost right, but something is… off.

The details don’t quite match the sleek Starfleet designs we know from Voyager. Maybe it’s the fabric, the fit, or the fact that it looks more like Star Trek: Alternate Reality Edition than anything we saw on screen.

It’s almost poetic in a way. Seven of Nine — a character defined by her struggle between human identity and artificial precision — now being reimagined by an AI that’s trying its best to replicate reality. It’s like the Borg meets Photoshop, and honestly? That’s kind of hilarious.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite Seven of Nine moment? Share your thoughts and let’s spark a debate! And if you enjoyed this, feel free to share it with fellow Star Trek fans! 🚀✨

Best Of

The tragic story of Cassidy Trevan

We’ve all been affected by bullying in one way or another.

We may have been victims, seen someone being bullied or even been the bully ourselves. Many children, teens and even adults are subjected to psychological and physical bullying on a daily basis that makes their lives a living hell.

Cassidy Trevan from Melbourne, Australia knew all too well what that was like.

She had been bullied for a long time. The bullying was mostly pyschological, but had also turned physical a couple of times.

She was called terrible names, attacked at school and on the internet. Even her family home was vandalized.

It got so bad that she could no longer go to school. It was just too much. Despite conversations with the bullies, things didn’t improve.

After a whole term away from school and with support, she was ready to give school another try. She started off with two days a week to get used to it.

The girls who had treated her badly apologised. They even wanted to be friends with her now. They asked if she wanted to go to a festival with them.

Of course she wanted to. She had been excluded for so long that even though the girls had been mean to her before, her need for friends outweighed that.

What Cassidy didn’t know was that the girls had a plan more outrageous than anyone could imagine.

The girls took Cassidy to a nearby house where they’d arranged for two older guys to rape her.

The girls sat outside and waited while the boys took turns raping Cassidy. She was 13 years old.

Cassidy reported the incident to the police, but unfortunately the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. All of those involved walked free.

Cassidy’s mom, Linda, transferred her to a different school, and they even moved, but the bullies always found a way to get at her. They attacked her in shops and even called her mom and asked to talk to her.

Linda did everything she could, but she still had to watch her daughter deteriorate. Eventually, Cassidy could hardly get out of bed in the morning.

In December 2015, she took her own life.

After her suicide, Linda found a letter that Cassidy had written. A letter that everyone should read. A letter to all those who bully. A letter to everyone who has been bullied.

Here’s what she wrote:

“I was a student at (school name omitted) and I was raped by some of the students who still attend that school. I know this already probably sounds like attention-seeking but it’s honestly far from it. I have many reasons for doing this which I’ll also explain.

My aim is to warn other people (students mostly but also parents) about what happened because I’m worried if they could do it to me they could do it to other kids like me, or at least try to. You actually have the power to stop this from happening. Remember the people who did this to me were school students at (omitted), it’s hard to believe, I know. But it’s true.

I’m not doing this for revenge to those students that raped me, set up the rape, bullied me about the rape, teased me about the rape or anything like that. I’m also not doing this for attention seeking like I mentioned earlier, I want to make that clear.

I’m doing this because over 1500 students years 7-12 are currently enrolled at the school and they need to be warned. I feel because of what happened to me, and because the staff at the school did nothing to help me (which I’ll talk a bit more about later). It’s now my duty to warn you all and to make you aware of what happened. (Not just what you may have heard around school but what actually happened.)

But I’m also doing this for myself. I want to finally after 1 and ½ years be left alone. It’s surprising just how many students at (omitted) have heard stories of me and weirdly enough still get told stories of me to this day. I still continue to get students I’ve never met contacting me Facebook calling me a slut. I’ve moved schools, I’ve moved house and still I’m being contacted and bullied. I can’t stop people from spreading rumours, but at least I could try and spread what really happened seeing as it’s still being talked about anyway. But as I said this honestly is more so for students who are unaware of this and are in danger of those students.

My name is Cassidy Trevan, and I was raped.

If anyone every tries this on you trust me it’s worth fighting! Fight! If you don’t you’ll regret it for the rest of your life like I do. You can do it.

Be careful. Be warned. Be safe.”

The letter was published by Australian Channel 9.

The death of one Young person due to bullying is one death too many.

Nobody should be made to feel so bad that they believe that the only way out is to take their own life.

We have to work together. Students, parents, teachers, everyone needs to work to bring this to an end.

Nobody should have to feel alone.

Linda’s grief will never go away and her daughter will never come back.

Cassidy’s story has moved thousands, and I hope that it will continue to get through to many more.

Click the like button below to help fulfil Cassidy’s last wish to spread the word and stop bullying!

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If you spot this insect in your yard, you had better know what it is

If the rise of social media has given birth to one thing positive, it’s that people can now share information at an unprecedented pace.

This also means that warnings over potential dangers can make their way around within a very short amount of time, making us all – in theory at least – a little safer.

A few years ago, one such warning was issued by a mom whose son developed a strange, red grid-like mark on his skin after collecting some tree branches one day A short time later he was being rushed to the ER. Now, Andrea Pergola wants everyone to know something that could potentially save lives…

When Andrea’s 15-year-old son Logan was collecting tree branches as part of his volunteer work, he felt a momentary sharp pain when something stung him.

Within minutes, a red grid-like mark had appeared on his arm, and before long it had become a full-blown rash. The rash spread up his arm to his chest, and the area soon burned with an unbearable pain.

Not only that, but Logan experienced dizziness and grew pale. His mom washed the area and rubbed garlic on it in an attempt to pull the venom out (this is often said work with bug stings). Try as she might though, nothing seemed to have an effect.

It was Logan’s grandfather who located the bug that had stung Logan. He donned thick gloves, placed it in a bag and examined it closer.

It was a caterpillar, one both “cute” and fuzzy. It also transpired to be one of the most poisonous caterpillars in all of North America. After conducting some research online, Andrea realized she had to get Logan to the ER, and fast.

“Please research this caterpillar, be aware of it and make your kids aware of it,” Andrea wrote on Facebook.

“It is not native to Florida, but to Texas, and just happens to live here now. Please if you are stung or your kid is stung get to the ER and let them treat you. I can assure you — we didn’t realize he had been stung so many times and normal over-the-counter Benadryl would not have treated this at home.”

Watch more on Logan’s ordeal – and his mom’s subsequent warning – below:

Have you ever seen anything like this? Let us know in the comments.

Best Of

A single dad gets a surprise one morning that leads to a friendship that changes his life.

Being a single dad is tough. Jake, a hardworking father of two young daughters, faced challenges every day. Since his wife left to travel the world, he had to manage work, parenting, and housework all on his own. It was tiring, but he did his best to give his daughters, Emma (4) and Lily (5), a happy and stable home.

An Unforgettable Morning

Every morning, Jake followed the same routine. He gently woke his daughters, saying, “Emma, Lily, time to get up!” in his tired but loving voice.

The girls, still sleepy, would slowly get out of bed, pick their favorite dresses, and let their dad help them get ready for daycare. But that morning was different—something unexpected happened.

As they headed downstairs for breakfast, expecting their usual oatmeal with milk, they were surprised by a strange sight. On the dining table were three plates of freshly made pancakes, topped with jam and fruit. The sweet, warm smell filled the room, making Jake stop in his tracks.

“Girls, did you see this?” he asked, confused.

Lily’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Wow, pancakes! Did you make them, Daddy?”

“No, I didn’t…” Jake said, trying to make sense of the situation. “Maybe Aunt Sarah came by early.”

He quickly grabbed his phone and called his sister. “Hey, Sarah, did you stop by this morning?”

“No, why?” she asked, sounding just as confused.

“No reason, just something strange happened,” he said, deciding not to explain further. After hanging up, he checked the front door and windows. Everything was locked. There was no sign of anyone breaking in. So who had made their breakfast?

“Is it safe to eat, Daddy?” Emma asked, her little voice filled with worry.

Jake hesitated but then nodded. “Yes, sweetie. It looks fine.”

With no time to figure out the mystery, he let his daughters enjoy their meal before hurrying them off to daycare and heading to work. But one question stayed in his mind—who had done this kind act?

Another Unexpected Surprise

After a long day at work, Jake came home with his daughters and found another surprise. His overgrown lawn, which he hadn’t had time to mow, was now freshly cut. The clean, even trim made it clear that someone had done it as a kind gesture.

“This is really strange,” Jake mumbled, looking around for any sign of a visitor. But everything else was the same—except for this unexpected act of kindness.

Wanting to find out who was behind it, he came up with a plan for the next morning.

Finding the Mystery Helper

The next morning, Jake woke up extra early—at 6 AM—and quietly hid in the kitchen, waiting. He listened carefully as the minutes passed. Then, just as the sun began to rise, he noticed movement.

A woman, dressed in worn-out clothes, climbed through the window and started cleaning. She washed the dishes from the night before, then reached into her small bag and pulled out a piece of cheese. Without hesitation, she began making another batch of pancakes.

Jake stepped forward, keeping his voice calm but firm. “Wait, please. I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk.”

The woman froze, startled.

“You made those pancakes, right?” he asked gently. “Why are you doing this? Please, don’t be afraid. I’m Emma and Lily’s dad—I would never hurt someone who’s been helping us.”

The woman slowly turned to face him. There was something familiar about her, but Jake couldn’t figure out where he had seen her before.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?” he asked, searching his memory.

She nodded but stayed silent. Just then, Emma and Lily ran down the stairs. “Daddy! Daddy!” they called happily.

Not wanting to scare them, Jake smiled and gestured toward the woman. “Come here, girls. We have a special guest.”

A Story of Kindness and Gratitude

As the girls walked into the kitchen, their curious eyes fixed on the stranger.

“Who is she, Daddy?” Lily asked, tugging on his sleeve.

“That’s what we’re going to find out,” Jake replied, then turned to the woman. “Please, have a seat. Can I get you some coffee?”

The woman hesitated but then nodded. As she sipped the warm drink, she finally spoke.

“My name is Clare,” she said, her voice shaky. “And yes, we’ve met before.”

Jake leaned in, listening closely.

“A few months ago, you found me lying by the road. I was weak and desperate. People walked past without stopping. But you helped me. You took me to a charity hospital. I was severely dehydrated and might not have survived.”

Jake’s eyes widened in recognition. “I remember now. You were in bad shape. I couldn’t just leave you there.”

Tears filled Clare’s eyes. “You saved my life. My ex-husband tricked me—he brought me from Britain to America, took everything I had, and left me on the streets. I had nothing, no one. But your kindness gave me the strength to keep going.”

Emma and Lily, even though they were little, listened closely. Emma looked especially touched. “That’s so sad,” she whispered.

Clare continued, “Because of you, I made it to the embassy. They helped me get new documents and connected me with a lawyer to fight for my son. I also found a job as a postal worker. But I wanted to thank you somehow. I saw how exhausted you were every night, so I decided to help.”

Jake was moved by her words, but he also knew sneaking in wasn’t the right way.

“Clare,” he said gently, “I truly appreciate what you’ve done, but breaking into our home isn’t safe. It worried me.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly, looking down. “I never meant to scare you.”

Before Clare could feel too embarrassed, Emma spoke up. “Thank you for the pancakes! They were really yummy!”

Lily nodded excitedly. “Can we have more?”

The room filled with laughter, and the tension disappeared.

Jake smiled and took a deep breath. “Let’s do things differently. No more sneaking in, okay? How about you join us for breakfast sometimes? That way, we can get to know each other better.”

Clare’s face brightened. “I’d love that.”

As time passed, Jake and Clare developed a special friendship. He helped her reunite with her son, and she became a beloved friend to him and his daughters. What began as a simple act of gratitude grew into a beautiful story of kindness, second chances, and an unexpected family.

A Lesson in Kindness

Sometimes, the most unexpected moments bring the deepest connections. For Jake, Clare’s surprise pancakes weren’t just a meal—they were a reminder of gratitude, strength, and the impact of kindness.

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