Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh unveiled the first look at her highly-anticipated new science fiction series during a special panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
The Malaysian-born star presented the official trailer for Blade Runner 2099 alongside co-star Hunter Schafer and the show’s creator and showrunner, Silka Luisa.
The series is set 50 years after the events of the 2017 film Blade Runner 2049. It takes place in a world transformed by a large-scale global nuclear conflict.
The artificial humanoids known as “replicants” were first introduced in director Ridley Scott’s cult classic Blade Runner, released in 1982.
Character profiles and dynamics
Yeoh plays Olwen, an advanced replicant who knows she is nearing the end of her predetermined lifespan.
Meanwhile, Schafer stars as Cora, a human refugee who assumes a false identity. Working undercover as an enforcer, she is tasked with locating and deactivating rogue or missing replicants.
As the story unfolds, the two unlikely allies join forces to track down replicants who have disappeared without a trace.
Footage shown at Comic-Con suggests their partnership begins with deep mistrust, tense exchanges and conflicting motivations.
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Role context and creative vision
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Luisa explained the heart of Yeoh’s character.
“She is hunting down a group of missing rogue replicants. She is in the final days of her life so she knows she has only days left to live because replicants know down to the day when they are going to die,” she said, according to the New Straits Times.
Luisa said the television format gave the creative team more room to explore the story’s emotional depth.
“We have the benefit of television where you have all of the hours that you could want to explore the nuances of this very relatable and human fear of not wanting to die,” she shared.
She also highlighted the intensity Yeoh brings to the role.
“There is something about the idea that you are not winding down when you die. You are spiralling out. There is a volatility, a danger and a desperation to it which I think Michelle really tapped into in her performance,” she added.
Release and distribution details
Blade Runner 2099 premieres on November 25 exclusively on Prime Video.
The eight-episode miniseries will be released in full on the same day across more than 240 countries and territories.
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