Kannai of Borg's Collective
Jeri Ryan Interview
October 14, 1999
If you've never heard of Star Trek: Voyager's Jeri Ryan and her form fitting outfit you must be working in a Tritinium mine somewhere in the Delta quadrant. Here on Earth, her face (and profile) is everywhere - including TV Guide's recent feature on TV's Top 20 Sexy Stars. And "Seven of Nine", Jeri Ryan's half Borg / half human character, is breathing new life into Star Trek: Voyager. We recently caught up with Jeri to ask her a few questions: "Did you have any idea this character was gonna take off like this?"
Jeri Ryan: Honestly, no. I really didn't. I knew it would be a big deal in the "Star Trek" universe. But, I didn't realize how big that universe was. And I didn't realize how big it would be beyond the "Star Trek" universe. So it's been a lot of fun. It's been a nice surprise.
Did you think that what you'd be wearing on the set would garner quite as much attention as it has? Your suit is all the rage.
Jeri Ryan: It is. It is (SMILES). All the rage, in both senses of the word (LAUGHS). Yeah, there's quite a bit of hoopla over what I'm wearing.
Does that bother you?
Jeri Ryan: Not so much any more, because it tones down a bit -- once they've actually seen the character, and seen me, and realize that I have a semblance of acting ability (SMILES). It was a little disturbing in the beginning, before anything had come out except for pictures, and the main topic of conversation was my bust size. That was a little frustrating. Was it difficult to join this family? This was a pretty tight-knit group of people.
Jeri Ryan: It could have been. It could have been difficult.
But, it wasn't. 'Cause I mean, these people have been together for a long time. This is their fourth season.
Everybody has just bent over backwards to make me feel right at home. And it's great. It's a great group of people to work with. I almost feel sorry for the directors in the episodes when everybody is in a scene together, 'cause they just completely lose control of the set. Nothing gets accomplished 'cause we're all laughing too hard. It's a riot. You're having a good time?
Jeri Ryan: I'm having a ball. It's a great job.
I understand your three-year old son also thinks you have a great job, especially when he's on the set.
Jeri Ryan: (LAUGHS) He loves it. He is absolutely in heaven. Space is his big thing anyway, so he loves the stars and the planets and spaceships and astronauts. And-- he's finally old enough now, he's three, where he gets the concept of the TV show, and gets that that's Mommy's work. He just loves it. I'm afraid I have a little actor on my hands, 'cause he comes to the set and is just mesmerized. He sat for two days-- and it's a long day on a set-- and he just sat the entire time and watched everything. Everything. Setting up the cameras, loading the camera, doing the sound, setting up each shot, and never made a peep. He just loved it.
What did he say the first time he walked on and he saw that whole environment?
Jeri Ryan: (LAUGHS) He saw the star field backdrop for the first time, and his mouth just sort of fell open, and he threw both hands in the air and said, "Space! Space!" He was very, very thrilled.
Now, I know you're married in real life, but on the show, do you see any potential romance happening?
Jeri Ryan: Not immediately. I mean, eventually that's gonna come into play, as Seven discovers more aspects of humanity. Sexuality is certainly gonna be one of those aspects. But, I don't think they're gonna -- I hope they're not gonna rush into it. And I'm pretty sure they're not. It's a little premature.
And Seven do you find there's sort of an interesting correlation between real life and the show in that you're sexy and strong, but you have to temper yourself a little bit?
Jeri Ryan: Well, I guess it depends on your perspective. It's hard for me to look at myself and say, "Oh, yeah, I'm sexy and strong." (SMILES) The character certainly is. The biggest difference between Seven and myself is the fact that Seven is very Borg-like, very stoic and very unemotional and very logical. And I am the complete opposite. I'm Little Miss Emotional Rollercoaster, so -- (LAUGHS) That's the hardest thing to do, is to keep that in check. So it must be fun to play somebody who's so linear, when it sounds like you're kind of ...
Jeri Ryan: Oh, it's great! It's great. That's part of the fun of being an actor -- getting to play something completely different. And really getting to play. I get paid to do what my son does. I can go play in spaceships. Fly through space. It's the best job.
And in ten years, if you're character is still on the ship, how do you think you'll feel?
Jeri Ryan: Pretty content, I expect. If it's as much fun as it is right now, then I'll be delighted.