Interview: Michelle Hurd and Jeri Ryan talk about Raffi and Seven of Nine’s Bond in ‘Star Trek: Picard’ Season 2

It’s time to boldly go… into the second season of Star Trek: Picard! The new season premieres March 3 and continues the story of Picard and his friends as they try to tackle a new galaxy-threatening anomaly. As we’ve seen in the trailer there is going to be a lot of twists and turns, with everything from the Borg to time travel to current 2020s Los Angeles.

One of our favorite pairs from last season that will be tested by this new threat is the friendship that has blossomed between Raffi (Michelle Hurd) and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). We were lucky enough to sit down with Michelle Hurd and Jeri Ryan to talk about the dynamic between these two powerhouses and how the events of the second season will affect them. And what it’s like to forge friendships as fully grown women.

Nerds and Beyond: I wanted to ask about Seven and Raffi’s dynamic this season. We see in the first few episodes an event that radically shocks both characters, their outlooks, identities, and different forms of loss. How will these events affect their friendship? Will they find themselves at odds or grow closer together?

Michelle Hurd: Do you really want us to tell you that, young lady!?

Nerds and Beyond: Or rather, how did you approach this emotionally? What did you tap into?

Michelle Hurd: I think this season, we will find that all these challenges in these extreme places that these two people find themselves in, will be a test to the respect, understanding, and the truth about two women who are strong and independent and stubborn. And you know, maybe pigheaded. It’s very vulnerable and emotional and powerful, and how they basically navigate that, like – how do you navigate that? Two grown women who have lives that they have developed for decades, and now they find themselves together. There’s been chaos so… what would happen? And how would it happen in that situation? To me, I think maybe they would find some way to support each other. I don’t know. That’s what I’m thinking. I don’t know.

Jeri Ryan: Oh, and save the galaxy at the same time.

Michelle Hurd: Oh, yes. And save the galaxy.

Nerds and Beyond: Thank you so much!

Star Trek: Picard premieres March 3 on Paramount+