Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Seven Of Nine
8. The Borg Babe
Brannon Braga recalled that after the idea for a Borg crewman sprang into his head, he called Joe Menosky to workshop the idea. Feeling that he was on to something, Braga then called Rick Berman. In Braga's words, it was Berman who said 'Make it a Borg Babe'.
Executive Producer Jeri Taylor is less certain that it was purely Berman's idea. She later said that the idea of a female Borg crewman was an idea that came about quickly, though she credited Braga with the idea. She certainly did agree however that the full story behind the character was workshopped by all of them.
With the failing ratings for Star Trek: Voyager throughout the third season, and the looming departure/firing of Jennifer Lien, there was room for another female member of the ensemble. There is little mystery as to why she was given such form-hugging outfits, nor why it was Lien who got the chop. Garrett Wang only survived the season three cull as he had been voted one of the 'World's Sexiest People' that summer. Having received no such lofty honour, Lien was out, Wang got to keep his job, and the search for Seven's performer began.