The BBC has confirmed that Ann Droid will return for a second series after the sitcom became an unexpected hit with viewers. The news was announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival's Spotlight on the BBC on Thursday, August 27.
The comedy, starring Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston, follows Morgan as Linda, a social humanoid robot who forms an unlikely friendship with Johnston's character, Sue. The series explores the rise of AI across society, asking: “What is replaceable and what is not?”
Second biggest new scripted launch
Ann Droid has become the BBC's second biggest new scripted launch of the year to date, after Small Prophets, attracting 7.6m viewers. The reaction left Diane “blown away”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Morgan said: “The response to Ann Droid has been so incredible. We’re all totally blown away. I’m really looking forward to not blinking, needing physio and hearing Cotton Eyed Joe on repeat.”
Cast and crew react
Johnston added: “I am so unbelievably happy that we are to do another series! Great script, great cast, great crew. The reaction from the public has been wonderful. Even my doctor called me Sue, Sue, Sue this morning! Everyone has been asking if there will be more and now we can tell them! Yippee.”
Shane Allen, executive producer for Boffola Pictures, said: “We marvel at our BBC robot overlords and their impeccable decision making. Diane and Sue are comedy dynamite, fronting a superb cast. We’re all overwhelmed by how much the audience has taken the show to their hearts. As a warning to critics and begrudgers, any backlash against series 2 will be met by Linda’s inbuilt tasers.”
BBC Comedy delighted
Emma Lawson, Interim Director of BBC Comedy, added: “We’re delighted to be bringing Ann Droid back for a second series. Diane and Sarah have created such a warm, relatable, and uniquely funny comedy that audiences in their millions have fallen in love with. Alongside the brilliant team at Boffola and Witchcraft Industries, they’ve given us something truly distinctive, and Linda and Sue Sue Sue have quickly become two of comedy’s most lovable characters. We’re thrilled that we will all get to spend more time with them!”
The confirmation comes after Ann Droid ended its current run with a final episode on Friday, August 21. The show has been replaced in the prime-time slot by repeats of Mrs Brown's Boys, which will not return this Christmas as creator Brendan O'Carroll revealed he needs an operation on a broken jaw. Ann Droid is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
