The BBC's new six-part comedy series Ann Droid has left viewers emotional and hooked, with many taking to social media to share their reactions after the first episode aired on Friday, July 17.
Viewers React to the Emotional Premiere
One viewer wrote on X: "#AnnDroid Funny, sad, incisive. Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston are brilliant. SueSueSue is a winner." Another enthused: "#AnnDroid is my new favourite telly show." A further viewer posted: "Just watched the first episode of #anndroid by @Sarah_Kendall and Diane Morgan, and it is a great piece of writing and acting. Deserves to be a hit with viewers #suesuesue."
One fan declared: "Ann Droid is sharp, witty and gorgeously funny. Sue Johnston is brilliant as per, and if you're a fan of Diane Morgan, it's a real treat #AnnDroid @BBCOne." While another concluded: "Watched episode 1 of #AnnDroid. Brilliantly funny, but also so full of emotion. It made me cry! Absolutely loved it."
Plot and Cast Details
Ann Droid features Sue Johnston as Sue, a lonely widower concerned about her health and welfare. Her son Michael, played by Paul Ready, arranges for her to receive an AI eldercare robot, much to her displeasure. The robot, whom she names Linda (Diane Morgan), proves to be far from straightforward, with early scenes showing it walking in on her while bathing and destroying her dressing gown.
Despite the awkward initial encounters, the episode ends on a touching note. Sue has a change of heart about returning Linda, opting to keep the robot longer as it helps her cope with isolation and bereavement, leading to an unlikely bond.
Diane Morgan on Playing a Robot
Actress Diane Morgan revealed the most challenging aspect of portraying a robot: "What was hard was that Sue got these really emotional scenes, and I'm sitting next to her, motionless. But obviously I'm hearing everything, and she's amazing." She added: "There were times, sitting on the bed, where I thought, 'I'm gonna cry, I'm gonna cry'. And I can't cry, I'm a robot. It was really difficult."
Ann Droid is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
