Diane Morgan has co-created and stars in a new BBC comedy titled Ann Droid, which is set in 2029 and a world in which AI eldercare robots have been rolled out across the globe.
Morgan plays Linda, an outdated model of robot who is bought by Paul Ready’s Michael for his mum Sue, played by Sue Johnston.
Now, Morgan has revealed what specifically inspired the six-part series, saying: “I read a story in the paper which said that apparently they were rolling them [robots] out in Japan and I told Pippa [Brown] my producer and we started laughing about it.
“It was also inspired by the time in lockdown when I decided to send my mum a tablet so she could do online shopping – she reacted like I’d sent her a nail bomb.”
The synopsis for the series says: “In a world where AI is looming larger and ever present, Ann Droid asks the question: what is replaceable and what is not? As funny, as it is poignant – Ann Droid tells the story of an unlikely friendship between Sue (Sue Johnston) and Linda (Diane Morgan) a social humanoid robot, created to keep elderly people company and monitor their health.
“Sue’s (Sue Johnston) husband David passed away 18 months ago and her only son, Michael (Paul Ready), is moving out – again – to try and fix his marriage – again.
“But the good news is he’s got Sue a surprise to help her live independently, a care provider with a difference – a second hand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot (Diane Morgan). Created to keep the ageing population company and monitor their health, taking the pressure off the ever-stretched NHS.
“It’s Sue’s worst nightmare. An overly attentive, socially inept pain in the arse. But she soon works out she can use the droid to her benefit in settling scores and doing the things her son never gets round to. What develops is a buddy comedy between an older woman and her robot who isn’t quite as advanced socially as she is technically.”
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Morgan created Ann Droid with Sarah Kendall, who is perhaps best known for appearing in – and winning – Taskmaster season 11.
Ann Droid begins on Friday 17 July at 9:30pm on BBC One. All six episodes will be available as a box set on BBC iPlayer.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
