Diane Morgan’s new BBC comedy Ann Droid has officially confirmed its release date – and fans will be able to watch the entire series at launch.
The six-part sitcom will begin on Friday 17 July at 9:30pm on BBC One, while all six episodes will also be released as a box set on BBC iPlayer that day.
Set in 2029, Ann Droid stars Motherland and Cunk on Earth favourite Morgan as Linda, a second-hand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot purchased to help recently widowed pensioner Sue continue living independently.
Sue is played by Brookside and The Royle Family legend Sue Johnston, while Morgan is also reunited with her former Motherland co-star Paul Ready, who plays Sue’s only son, Michael.
Michael buys Linda for his mother as he prepares to move out of her home and make another attempt at repairing his troubled marriage.
However, Sue is initially less than impressed by her new companion, finding the overly attentive and socially inept robot to be her worst nightmare.
She soon discovers that Linda can not only monitor her health and remind her to take her medication, but also carry out jobs Michael has neglected – and even help her settle some old scores.
Ann Droid was created and written by Morgan alongside Australian comedian Sarah Kendall, whose previous credits include Frayed and The Other One. It is produced by Boffola Pictures and Morgan’s production company Witchcraft Industries.
When the comedy was first commissioned, Morgan joked in a BBC statement: “I’m thrilled that the BBC has finally commissioned a programme about AI and how it will affect your mum.”
Johnston said when her casting was announced: “I’m thrilled to be back in the heart of BBC comedy. Diane and Sarah have created a comedy that will resonate with lots of different audiences, for different reasons and I cannot wait to get started.”
Ready was similarly enthusiastic about reuniting with his Motherland co-star.
“I don’t know much, but I do know that if you get a chance to work with Diane Morgan, you take it. Immediately!” he said in the BBC casting announcement.
“Can’t wait to be reunited and bring Michael to life in her brilliant comic series.”
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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
Morgan Jeffery is the Digital Editor for Radio Times, overseeing all editorial output across digital platforms. He was previously TV Editor at Digital Spy and has featured as a TV expert on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Atlantic.
