Rachael Biographical information Incept date [1] May 23, 2018 Died

June 10, 2021 Died in childbirth Created by Tyrell Corporation Serial number N7FAA52318 Family Rick Deckard - Partner

Ana Stelline - Daughter Occupation Secretary Affiliations Tyrell Corporation

Replicant freedom movement Physical description Race Nexus-7 replicant Gender Female Hair color Black Eye color Green Behind the scenes Portrayed by Sean Young

I'm not in the business... I am the business."[src] am

Rachael was an experimental Nexus-7 replicant created by Eldon Tyrell. She initially believed she was human, having possessed implanted memories belonging to Tyrell's niece.

In addition to discovering her identity, she fell in love with Blade Runner Rick Deckard and conceived a child with him, but died as a result of the birth. Her remains were later discovered by replicant Blade Runner K.

A clone of Rachael was created by Niander Wallace and offered to Deckard in exchange for information about their child.

Being the founder of the Tyrell Corporation, Eldon Tyrell had access to unfathomable wealth, power, and technology. In order to colonize and explore habitable areas for Off-world Colonies, the Tyrell Corporation manufactured replicants. These replicants were just like humans, although often possessing superior strength and greater or equal intellect in comparison to their genetic designers. The Nexus-6 variety of replicants up to 2019 possessed strength and intellect, but were not equipped to live longer than four years in an effort to curb rebellions and limit their danger (despite their effectiveness in colonization and hazardous labor).[2]

Because of his status in society, Tyrell developed Rachael alongside these Nexus-6 models, although including significant differences. She was implanted with memories given by Tyrell's niece to better control her. Falling back on memories gave Rachael a sense of reality and purpose, evening out her emotions and testing to see the effectiveness of such an experiment for future Nexus models.[2] Tyrell also gave her more than four years of life; the exact amount remaining unknown.[3][4]

Given that Rachael had implanted memories and was not told she was a replicant, she believed she was human.[2]

Voight-Kampff testing and meeting Deckard [ edit | edit source ]

In 2019, shortly after a group of Nexus-6 replicants led by Roy Batty arrived on Earth, Blade Runner Rick Deckard was called out of retirement to hunt and retire them before they could threaten society.[2]

On November 20,[1] Deckard was sent to the Tyrell Corporation by Harry Bryant to use the Voight-Kampff machine and test a Nexus-6 to better understand what he would be up against. Being aware that a Blade Runner was visiting the complex, Rachael entered the meeting room of the Tyrell Corporation building and greeted Deckard after commenting on how the corporation's owl was artificial, as were most animals on Earth in 2019.[2]

Rachael asked Deckard if he had ever retired a human by mistake. Deckard simply stated that he had not, which resulted in Rachael questioning if it was always a risk that he would kill a human. However, the conversation was cut short when Tyrell entered the room and requested to see the Voight-Kampff test on a human subject. Trying to convince Deckard that Rachael was human, Tyrell insisted that she be used as the test subject.[2]

After over 100 questions, Tyrell asked Rachael to leave him alone with Deckard. Deckard determined that Rachael was a replicant, to which Tyrell revealed that Rachael was implanted with memories to provide a cushion for her emotions. Tyrell also informed Deckard that Rachael was unaware of what she was.[2]

Reconciling with Deckard [ edit | edit source ]

The next evening, Rachael left the corporation and went to Deckard's apartment. Rachael entered the apartment elevator and sat hidden in the corner of the elevator and waited for Deckard to return. As Deckard entered the elevator and the elevator stopped at the appropriate floor, Rachael revealed herself to Deckard.[2]

Rachael walked with Deckard to his door while explaining how Tyrell would neither speak to her nor see her concerning her test. Deckard attempted to send Rachael away. However, after entering his apartment room, he allowed her to enter.[2]

Rachael entered and showed a picture of what she believed to be her mother and explained that she had memories of her childhood with her mother. Rachael wanted to further explain, but Deckard cut her off to recall to her the memories of her childhood; informing her that he was only aware of her memories because they were imprinted.[2]

Deckard explained to her that her memories were false due to their connections with Tyrell's niece. Shocked by the evidence found, Rachael began to cry in silence. Deckard then told her it was a "bad joke," and apologized, but the damage was done. He offered her a drink, but as Deckard went to get a glass, Rachael dropped her photo and walked out of the apartment.[2]

Saving Deckard [ edit | edit source ]

While Deckard investigated Zhora at Taffey Lewis' bar, he called Rachael by Vid-Phon. Deckard asked for her to come to the bar to relax and spend time with him, but Rachael declined, saying that "wasn't her type of place," and hung up on him.[2]

Later that evening, Rachael was out in the city when she came across Deckard being beaten savagely by Leon. Rachael picked up Deckard's abandoned gun and shot Leon in the head, killing him just moments before he could eliminate Deckard.[2]

After saving Deckard's life, a very rattled Rachael went back to his apartment to hide out. Rachael asked Deckard if he would still retire her if she was to leave Los Angeles, to which Deckard replied that he would not, but another Blade Runner probably would.[2]

Drunk and exhausted from the night, Deckard laid down on his couch and fell asleep. Rachael sat down at his piano and let down her hair as she began to play a melody. The music woke Deckard, who joined her at the piano. Rachael explained that she remembered taking piano lessons, but she was now unsure if the memories were hers, or implants from Tyrell's niece.[2]

Deckard complimented her playing, then leaned in to kiss her. Uncomfortable with the gesture, Rachael withdrew, and tried to leave the apartment. Deckard became angry and violent, slamming the door shut so she could not leave and pushing her against the wall. As she cried, he ordered her to tell him to kiss her. She did and he kissed her forcefully. Despite her emotional distress, she stopped resisting.[2]

Leaving the life behind [ edit | edit source ]

After the death of Roy Batty, Deckard returned to his apartment and cautiously entered when he saw the door was ajar. He found Rachael alive and informed her that they must leave the city.[2]

As they left, Deckard came across an origami figure of a unicorn left by Gaff to show that he had been at the apartment while Rachael was asleep. As Deckard examined the figure and turned towards Rachael, and they both departed toward an uncertain future together.[2]

Final years [ edit | edit source ]

After Rachael left Los Angeles with Deckard, the two conceived a daughter. Rachael died during the cesarean section delivery on June 10, 2021, conducted by Sapper Morton. The child was left in the care of a replicant freedom group.[1]

In 2049, Rachael's remains were discovered buried at Morton's farm by Blade Runner K, leading him to discover the whereabouts of Deckard (who had been in hiding) and their daughter.[1]

Behind the scenes [ edit | edit source ]

Rachael is based upon Rachael Rosen from the novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.

According to Hampton Fancher, the book's author Philip K. Dick felt that actress Victoria Principal "would make the perfect Rachael."[5]

In an early draft of the film, Rachael jumps to her death from Deckard's apartment. In another, dated July 24, 1980, Deckard takes Rachael to the countryside to see real snow before he kills her. In a later draft, David Peoples changed the location of her execution to the beach, as the snow reminded director Ridley Scott too much of the film Elvira Madigan.[5]

Scott originally considered Monique van de Ven (who would also be screentested as Pris) for the role, but ultimately wanted to cast a largely unknown actress. According to Scott, at least fifty actresses auditioned. Three actresses – Barbara Hershey, Nina Axelrod and Sean Young – screentested for the role opposite Morgan Paull, who stood in as Deckard. Although Paull personally preferred Axelrod,[5] Scott was impressed by Sean Young's screentest and noted that she reminded him of Vivien Leigh.[6]