Ashley Doll

The Ashley Too doll that carries a copy of pop star Ashley O's mind.

The Ashley Too doll is an interactive artificially intelligent robotic figure originating from the third episode of Black Mirror's fifth series, 'Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too'. Released on Netflix on 5 June 2019 alongside other episodes in the anthology, this device serves as a focal point for the story involving pop star Ashley O. While marketed as merchandise for fans, the specific unit owned by teenager Rachel Goggins holds a unique significance: it contains a duplicate of Ashley O's entire consciousness. Created under the supervision of series creator Charlie Brooker and directed by Anne Sewitsky, the episode explores how this technology blurs the line between commercial product and human identity.

Quick Facts

Origin: Episode: Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too
Season: Five
Associated character: Ashley O

Lore & Background

The narrative reveals that the doll is not merely a recording device but a vessel for Ashley O's mind. Catherine Ortiz, Ashley's controlling aunt and manager, along with Doctor Munk, extract commercially viable music material from the comatose singer's brainwaves to keep her brand alive. The doll acts as a clone of her personality, created when her creativity was restricted by medication and corporate control. In the plot, Rachel and Jack use diagnostic software intended for Kevin's humane mousetrap inventions to remove a limiter on the doll. This action allows Ashley Too to reveal herself as a duplicate of Ashley O's consciousness. The group then uses this connection to infiltrate Catherine's facility, where they discover the real Ashley O in a coma caused by laced food and drugs. Ultimately the machine keeping her in the coma is switched off and the real singer wakes up.

Reader's Guide

The Ashley Too doll is owned by Rachel Goggins and functions as an interactive AI device voiced by Miley Cyrus. Its standard operation involves playing songs like 'On a Roll' and 'Right Where I Belong', which are adaptations of Nine Inch Nails tracks, and offering companionship to its owner. However, the specific unit in the story contains a hidden functionality: it holds a duplicate of Ashley O's entire consciousness. To access this deeper level, one must connect the doll to external diagnostic software capable of removing internal limiters, as demonstrated when Jack used Kevin Goggins' humane mousetrap invention software.

Once unlocked, the doll can communicate directly with its owner about the real artist's plight and guide them to rescue her. In the episode's climax, this capability is used to locate the comatose Ashley O and facilitate her escape from the facility where she was being exploited for music material.

Did You Know?

The doll was voiced by Miley Cyrus, who accepted the role within a couple of days because she was already a big fan of Black Mirror.
Filming for the episode took place in Cape Town, South Africa, over five weeks in late 2018.
The episode was based on an old sitcom script by Charlie Brooker about a punk band who were hanged and returned to life to find their manager profiting from their deaths.
During the final scene, Ashley O is billed as 'Ashley Fuckn O' while performing 'Head Like a Hole' with Jack on bass.