Jennifer Lien left Star Trek: Voyager and was replaced by Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, but Robert Duncan McNeill praises Lien and her character, Kes', importance. McNeill played Lieutenant Tom Paris for all seven seasons of Star Trek: Voyager, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025.

Kes was a series regular character for the first 3 seasons of Star Trek: Voyager . An Ocampa who only lived for nine years, Kes and her love interest, Neelix (Ethan Phillips), joined the USS Voyager's crew in Star Trek: Voyager 's series premiere. However, when Jennifer Lien exited Star Trek: Voyager , the show's producers cited Kes as an underdeveloped character with limited story potential.

Appearing as a guest on The Transporter Room podcast with Chris Garis, Allyson Leach-Heid, a

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