BBC viewers have demanded more as their newest hit series Ann Droid has been deemed "binge-worthy" by viewers who are already hoping for a second series.
If any Motherland fans have been missing Diane Morgan on their screens, then BBC's newest comedy which has already been deemed as binge-worthy is definitely one to watch.
Ann Droid is written by Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall, with the six-part series first airing last week on BBC One. It's also available to stream on iPlayer.
It also stars BAFTA nominated Sue Johnston (True Love, The Royle Family) who plays Sue, and Paul Ready (Motherland) who plays her son Michael.
Plot and inspiration
The official synopsis reads: "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. 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."
Touching on how she came up with the idea, Diane admitted it was partly inspired by her own experience during the COVID-19 lockdown. She said: "I read a story in the paper which said that apparently they were rolling them [robots] out in Japan and I told Pippa 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."
Viewer reactions
While it only aired last week, viewers are already demanding "more" and asking the BBC for a second series, and a special Christmas episode.
One viewer penned: "My wife told me about this and said watch it - I was not keen! So wrong - really funny and touching. Sue Sue Sue!!" as another wrote: "Yes please more Linda and Sue and the daft son it's got Christmas specials written all over it just what's needed at the moment."
Someone else added: "Really enjoyed it. Binged the whole lot and can't wait for the next series", as another viewer echoed: "Hope they do a second series. We need more of this type of comedy, sick of all the dramas full of violence, murder and horror. Even the soaps are full of doom and gloom. We need to laugh more please !!"
All six episodes of Ann Droid are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
