Every Cylon in Battlestar Galactica, Explained

As Peacock’s reboot of Battlestar Galactica continues to take shape under the direction of Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, all eyes turn to the impending war between humanity and the Cylons. Also known as Cybernetic Life-Form Nodes, the Cylons are a race of robotic humanoids built for combat by Graystone Industries that wage war for control of the Twelve Colonies.

Each Cylon model is given a specific number and possesses different specialties, motives, personalities, and alliances as the eternal war continues to rage on. Although Peacock’s anticipated reboot of BSG has yet to receive a release date, it’s paramount to understand each Cylon’s basic functions, primary objectives, and where their loyalties remain. Rather than breaking down every primitive and antiquated model type, it’s best to differentiate the humanoid Cylons in Battlestar Galactica before the launch of Peacock’s reboot.

Number One (John Cavil)

John Cavil (Dean Stockwell), a.k.a. Number One, is the first of eight Cylon humanoids created by The Final Five after the first Cylon War. Although John was created in the image of Final Five member Ellen Tigh’s biological father, Number One models rebelled against The Final Five, erased their memories, and banished them to the Twelve Colonies. Being the first Cylon models created in the well-aged sci-fi show, The Ones in BSG possess an air of superiority and look down on the other models and humanity. John Cavil became so jealous of Ellen’s affection towards Daniel, a.k.a. Number Seven, that Cavil systematically destroyed Number Seven’s genetic code and lifeblood and wiped it out permanently.

Number Two (Leoben Conoy)

Leoben Conoy (Callum Keith Rennie) portrayed Number Two, a Cylon who considers himself a religious prophet. While the Twos tend to side with the rebels, Conoy is known as a deceiver who spreads misinformation and cannot be trusted. Conoy first appears as an arms dealer in Ragnar Anchorage, where he encounters Commander Adama on Galactica. Although Conoy suffered from too much radiation at Ragnar Anchorage to perform the method himself, Number Two informs Adama that the Cylons can transfer consciousness to another body.

Number Three (D’Anna Biers)

The first female Cylon humanoid model, Number Three, a.k.a. D’Anna Biers (Lucy Lawless), is a religious searcher looking for answers regarding the origin of The Final Five. Driven by theological curiosity, The Threes (D’Annas) are more enlightened than earlier models, which put them in direct conflict with the stubborn and arrogant Number Ones. While introduced as an undercover reporter aboard the fleet in “The Final Cut,” the D’Annas lack agency after disobeying the Cylons by investigating the Final Five’s origins. As a result, their entire line has been stored in a Cylon Resurrection Hub.

Number Four (Simon O’Neill)

More secular than the other models, Number Four, Simon O’Neill (Rick Worthy), is driven by cold-hard logic. The soft-spoken Cylon humanoid also possesses the medical expertise that the other Cylons call upon when needed, furthering its scientific acumen over religious beliefs. However, Number Fours often utilize their medical skills deceptively to engage in combat. Although things end tragically for Simon O’Neill at the hands of Kara Thrace, one copy of the model becomes the doctor for the Caprica City Buccanneers, and another assumes the identity of Gianna O’Neill’s husband in the spin-off movie The Plan.

Number Five (Aaron Doral)

Known to humans as Aaron Doral (Matthew Bennett) on the stellar space-set TV show, Number Five Cylon models are aggressive, fanatic, and highly militant compared to the other models. Doral first appeared in the 2003 miniseries, posing as a PR executive aboard the fleet before his true identity was uncovered. Despite the violent and sadistic side the Five models possess, they also have an ordinary human appearance and social networking skills that allow them to infiltrate enemies and communicate with others to gain vital intel.

Number Six (Unnamed)

The only Cylon Model without one universal human name attached, Number Six is arguably the most versatile model on record. Played by Tricia Helfer, Number Six assumes several different appearances and human monikers, including Natalie Faust, Lida, Sonja, Shelly Godfrey, Gina Inviere, and Caprica-Six. Unlike the covert and militaristic Number Fives, Number Sixes are flashy and extroverted, and utilize their seductive sensuality as a weapon. As the femme fatales of the group, Number Sixes are among the most skilled Cylon infiltrators in Battlestar Galactica.

Number Seven (Daniel)

Although the models no longer exist, Number Seven was a Cylon humanoid created by Final Five member Ellen Tigh. Daniel was a sensitive artist who became more beloved by Ellen than Number One, John Cavil. As a result of his bitter jealousy, Cavil concocted an evil ploy to destroy Daniel by erasing his genetic code and poisoning his amniotic fluid. With no trace of the Sevens left behind, Number Eight officially counts as Number Seven in the Significant Seven.

Number Eight (Sharon Valerii/Agathon)

Played by Grace Park in the 2004 BSG reboot, Number Eight (Sharon) is the youngest, most common Cylon model, and is marked by compassion and empathy. Also known by the call signs, Athena and Boomer, Sharon Agathon and Sharon Valerii have different motives on the show. Athena was assigned to romance Boomer’s colleague, Karl Agathon, but fell in love with him instead. Meanwhile, Boomer was a Galactica pilot trained as a sleeper agent and assassin who had a secret romance with Final Five chief, Galen Tyrol (Aaron Douglas).

The Final Five

Samuel Anders

The Final Five refers to the lost members of The Thirteenth Tribe, an ancient humanoid faction created by Kobol centuries before the First Cylon War. Samuel “Longshot” Anders (Michael Trucco) is known as the first of the Final Five Cylons, a viper pilot who eventually marries Kala Thrace. Before the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, Samuel was captain of the Caprica Buccaneers sports team. After The Fall, Samuel led the human resistance on Caprica as the Cylons seized control of the planet. As a natural-born leader with a firm sense of justice and morality, Samuel helps advance the Final Five’s agenda.

Tory Foster

Played by Rekha Sharma in the dark Sci-Fi TV show, Tory Foster is a member of the Final Five Cylons who descend from The 13th Tribe. Along with the other members of the Final Five, Tory created all Eight Cylon models and their copies through an advanced scientific resurrection process. Tory is also romantically involved with Galen Tyrol, the chief of the Final Five. After Number One kills the Final Five, Tory is resurrected and sent to live among the humans. Once she became the Chief of Staff to President Laura Roslin following the death of Billy Keikeya, Tory’s true identity as a Final Five Cylon is revealed.

Ellen Tigh

Another member of the Thirteenth Tribe, Ellen Tigh (Kate Vernon) is a brilliant scientist and a crucial Final Five Cylon in BSG. As mentioned above, Ellen notoriously created Daniel, aka Number Seven. Once Number One witnessed how much Ellen favored Daniel over him, he destroyed and discontinued the Number Seven Model. Ellen is also married to Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan), Colonel of the Final Five. Following Number One’s destruction of The Final Five, Ellen is resurrected as a copy with false memories. Once the occupation of New Caprica took hold, Ellen was killed by Saul. Afterward, Ellen became the only Cylon since Samuel to have her full memory restored.

Saul Tigh

As the Executive Officer of the Final Five, Saul Tigh is the second in command of the Galactica behind Admiral William Adama. Stern and shrewd, Saul battles alcoholism during his command of the New Caprica Resistance, a problem that deteriorates his marriage to Ellen Tigh. Despite hailing from the Thirteenth Tribe and co-creating the eight Cylon models, Saul is killed multiple times for his efforts before being resurrected with no memory of who he is. When Saul eventually learns about his true nature in Season 3, he remains loyal to Adama based on their pre-Galactica time together on Battlestar Valkyrie.

Galen Tyrol

Ranking one notch above Colonel Tigh, Galen Tyrol is the most powerful member of the Final Five Cylons. Also known as the Chief, Galen descends from Earth and patterns his organizational leadership after the fair and firm Admiral Adama. Although Galen perished in the nuclear attack on the Original Earth, he quickly realized that his resurrected memories were fake once the fleet approached the Ionian Nebula. Although Galen has always struggled with his identity as a Cylon in the superb TV reboot, he is fiercely protective of his loved ones and will go to violent lengths to avenge those who do them wrong. For instance, Galen killed fellow Final Five member Tory Foster as payback for the death of his wife, Cally (Nicki Clyne).

Every Battlestar Galactica Cylon:

Buy Battlestar Galactica on Prime Video or Apple TV.