Why Did Rachael Ancheril Leave Star Trek: Discovery? Age and Bio of the Actress

Rachael Ancheril is a Canadian actress with the bulk of her works in television series. She is popular for her role in the TV series Rookie Blue and for portraying Commander Nhan in Star Trek: Discovery, a show she joined in the second season and appeared in 13 episodes. Rachael remained on the show longer than expected and even transitioned into a regular cast member but had to bid farewell to the crew in season three after her last episode “Die Trying” aired on November 12, 2020. Let’s take a look at the background details of the Canadian actress and the reason behind her exit from Discovery.

Rachael Ancheril is biracial

Though born in Canada, Ancheril has a Scottish father and an Indian mother. She was born in Toronto, Canada, on December 8 but her actual year of birth is not specified. Her mixed background takes credit for her unique beauty which makes her stand out.

Growing up, Rachael had an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement and thus, she joined Seneca College in King City after high school to make the passion a reality. However, she had an accident that changed her career course. She literally broke a leg in the career-changing accident and at this point, a career in the fashion industry was her best option and she took it. While studying at The International Academy of Design in Toronto, Ontario, Rachael took acting classes which helped her become an actress afterward.

Rachael Ancheril began her acting career in 2005

The Canadian actress began appearing in low-budget films in the mid-2000s when her acting career took off. She was seen in movies like Circuit 3: The Street Monk in 2006 and Cycle of Fear: There is No End in 2008 during this time but she soon made the switch to television roles where she started with guest roles.

Her first major role came in the Canadian police series Rookie Blue where she depicted Marlo Cruz to much acclaim. She shared the set with Oliver Becker and stayed on the show from the fourth season to the sixth as she became a regular. Upon her exit from Rookie Blue, Rachael appeared in a guest role in two episodes of Heroes Reborn alongside Nazneen Contractor, Raven Dauda, and others. she grabbed another regular role in the first season of The Art of More and more recently, we have seen her in more TV series, including Wynonna Earp, Mary Kills People, Killjoys, and Nurses. She also appeared in guest roles in shows like Dark Matter and Taken.

Her most recognized role so far remains as Commander D. Nhan in two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery.

Playing Commander Nhan in Discovery

The first time viewers saw her onset, Rachael Ancheril stepped into her role as Commander Nhan, clad in her red shirt. The outfit sets her apart as a member of Security and Engineering on the Enterprise but she later transferred to the Discovery. She later chose to travel 900 years into the future, leaving Discovery in a bid to head back to her home in Barzan. This was how the show sent her character off.

Interestingly, Rachael was introduced to the Star Trek series by her mom who has always been a fan. Growing up, they watched the series together and her mom was one of the angry fans who protested when The Original Series was up for cancellation.

Why did she leave Discovery? – Ancheril on her Star Trek exit

Early in November 2020, Rachael Anchril appeared in her last episode in Star Trek: Discovery as Barzan security officer Lt. Nhan. It was an emotional moment as Nhan bid farewell to her Starfleet career and Michael Burnham.

Speaking to ComicBook.com in a phone interview, Rachael said she knew her time on the show was coming to an end but she didn’t know how it would end until she read the script. According to her, she cried while reading. When asked if her character will be making a comeback, Ancheril said considering Commander Nhan is still alive, there is every possibility she might return to the show and if that time comes, she (Ancheril) will be willing to reprise the role.

Summary of Rachael Anchril’s movies and TV shows

Movies

• Tough Love as Trixxy – 2005/1
• American Soldiers as Nurse #3 – 2005
• The Circuit III: Final Flight (video) as Newscaster – 2006
• The Last Liberal Cowboy in All of the U.S. of A. (Short) as Meryn – 2007
• Cycle of Fear: There Is No End as Samantha – 2008
• Team Epic (Video) as Glacier – 2008
• Domino Effect (Video) as Vanessa Dylan – 2009
• Werewolves: The Dark Survivors (TV Movie) as Alpha female – 2009
• Think As Thieves as Girl in Office – 2009
• Too Low (Short) as Jennifer – 2010
• Anchor Baby as ICE Agent Labinsky – 2010
• Making Sense (short) as Ray – 2010
• Tru Love as Claire – 2013
• Siren (short) as Paramedic Mills – 2014/III
• Special Correspondents as Bar Girl – 2016
• Dreams (Short) as Det. Angel Martinez – 2019/I

TV series

• Urban Legends as Carmen Estes – Interview – 2009
• Team Epic (TV Series) as Glacier – 2009
• How Deaf, How Blind (TV Short) as Mrs. Forbes – 2009
• Connor Undercover as Evil Agent – 2009
• The 3Shade Show (TV Mini-Series) as Emily – 2010
• King as Charlene Francis – 2012
• The Listener as Sgt. Erin White – 2012
• Played as Terri – 2013
• Republic of Doyle as Lisa Younghusband – 2014
• Rookie Blue as Marlo Cruz – 2013-2015
• Heroes Reborn (TV Mini-Series) as Fiona – 2015
• The Art of More as Alesha Foley / Alesha – 2016
• Dark Matter as Della – 2017
• Wynonna Earp a Gretta / The Blacksmith / Mattie Perley – 2016-2017
• Taken as Tatiana Moore – 2018
• Mary Kills People as Lucy / Lucy Oliviera – 2019
• Killjoys as The Warden – 2019
• Carter as Camille Demelo – 2019
• Locked in Love (TV Mini-Series) as Ellory – 2020
• Star Trek: Discovery as Cmdr. Nhan – 2019-2020
• Nurses as Kate Faulkner – 2021

Read Also: Emma Paetz – Bio, Age, Height of the Pennyworth Actress

Personal life of Rachael Ancheril

Aside from acting, Ancheril is also interested in photography, and illustration, and has a reputation as an equestrienne. She learned work ethics from her parents who ran their own company.

For her marital status, it is not clear if she is married or not as she has not shared such details with the public. Howbeit, it is safe to say the actress is single as there is no evidence of any relationship on her social media pages.