Eight-Part Series Explores a Parallel Present Where Artificially Intelligent Servants Live Among Us
NEW YORK, NY – May 14, 2015 – AMC today announced its new eight-part drama series “Humans” will premiere Sunday, June 28th at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Set in suburban London, “Humans” takes place in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a Synth – a highly developed, artificially intelligent servant eerily similar to its living counterpart. Penned by British writing partners Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley (“Spooks,” Spooks: The Greater Good) and based on the award-winning Swedish sci-fi drama “Real Humans,” the series explores the emotional impact that comes as the lines between humans and machines become increasingly blurred. This bold new series is produced in conjunction with the UK’s Channel 4 and Kudos, the makers of “Utopia” and “Broadchurch.”
“‘Humans’ is a series that is both incredibly entertaining and engaging on a character level, and a very timely exploration of the kind of impact the A.I. technology being developed today might have on our everyday lives,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s executive vice president of programming, production and digital content. “You don’t have to be a sci-fi fan to enjoy this story. As the title implies, it’s very much about the human side of the topic. Sam and Jonathan’s scripts are amazing, and we’re thrilled to be working with the amazing teams at Kudos and Channel 4.”
TODAY – In Nagasaki, Japan, a hotel staffed primarily by robots will be opening this summer. These robots won’t just clean your room and pick up your laundry. They’ll check you in, make your dinner reservations, mimic human behaviors and speak four languages. TOMORROW – Your Saturday afternoon errands could result in purchasing a fully functional robotic domestic helper that will get your kids ready for school or take care of an ailing parent. Whether that’s a good or bad decision is the question “Humans” sets out to explore. It’s not about what this technology is capable of; it’s about the impact that this advanced technology will have on the human population. Will this new way of navigating life be detrimental or beneficial to us as a human race? And who will we become when this technology arrives?
At the center of the four concurrent storylines explored throughout “Humans” is the flawed but loving Hawkins family. Joe Hawkins (Tom Goodman-Hill) makes the decision to invest in the latest must-have gadget for any busy family – a Synth. His relationship with his wife Laura (Katherine Parkinson) is becoming increasingly strained and he believes that the addition of a robotic servant to the household will give them back the time they so desperately need and help them re-connect both as a couple and as a family. The Hawkins’ new Synth, Anita (Gemma Chan), is an immediate hit, and their chaotic house is suddenly transformed into an oasis of tidy, organized, well-fed contentment. With hesitation, Laura gives in to the family demand, but soon senses there’s something different about Anita. There’s something not right.
Others, though, have long since abandoned any scepticism and are embracing their Synths as family members. Widower George Millican (William Hurt) has formed a close relationship with his out-of-date Synth, Odi (Will Tudor), whom he treats more like a son than a piece of machinery. When Odi begins to malfunction, the National Health Service forcefully upgrades him with a new stern elder-care model named Vera (Rebecca Front) and George must hide the bond he has with Odi or risk forfeiting him to the authorities.
Meanwhile, a young man named Leo (Colin Morgan) and his Synth, Max (Ivanno Jeremiah), are desperately searching for someone from Leo’s past. But who is it, and why? And why does Max seem to be so unlike other Synths? On their heels is a mysterious man named Hobb (Danny Webb), who is determined to uncover a secret before it can destroy humanity as we know it.
Finally, D.S. Peter Drummond (Neil Maskell) works for the Special Technologies Task Force, solving Synth-related disputes to get away from his frustration over his wife’s flawless Synthetic physical therapist. Pete spends most of his days pushing papers and solving petty incidents, as Synths rarely, if ever, malfunction, until one day he investigates a case that defies all possibility.
“Humans” stars William Hurt (A History of Violence, “Damages”) as Dr. George Millican, Katherine Parkinson (“The IT Crowd,” “The Honourable Woman”) as Laura Hawkins, Gemma Chan (“Sherlock,” “Dr. Who”) as Anita, Tom Goodman-Hill (“Mr. Selfridge,” The Imitation Game) as Joe Hawkins, Lucy Carless (“Code of a Killer”) as Mattie Hawkins, Colin Morgan (“Merlin,” “The Fall 2”) as Leo, Pixie Davis (“Utopia,” “The White Queen”) as Sophie Hawkins, Ivanno Jeremiah (“The Hollow Crown”) as Max, Theo Stevenson (In Bruges, Fred Claus) as Toby Hawkins, Emily Berrington (“24: Live Another Day,” “Sons of Liberty”) as Niska, Neil Maskell (“Utopia”) as D.S. Peter Drummond, Will Tudor (“Game of Thrones”) as Odi, Rebecca Front (“The Thick Of It,” “Just William”), as Vera, Danny Webb (“Dr. Who,” “Being Human”) as Hobb, and Sope Dirisu (“Utopia”) as Fred.
“Humans” is produced by Kudos (“Utopia,” “Broadchurch,” “The Hour”) in association with Matador Films (“Real Humans”). Directed by Sam Donovan (“Utopia”), executive producers are Jane Featherstone (“Broadchurch,” “Utopia,” “The Hour”) and Derek Wax (“The Hour,” “Occupation,” “Lip Service”) for Kudos, with Chris Fry (“The Smoke”) producing for Kudos and Henrik Widman and Lars Lundström for Matador Films. The series was commissioned for Channel 4 by Piers Wenger, Beth Willis and Simon Maxwell, and Kristin Jones and Joel Stillerman for AMC. Distribution will be handled by Endemol Shine International.
For more information, visit AMC’s press website, http://press.www.amcnetworks.com.
About AMC
Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade, or creating acclaimed original programming, AMC brings to its audience something deeper, something richer, Something More. The network reigns as the only cable network in history ever to win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row with “Mad Men,” and six of the last seven with current back-to-back honoree, “Breaking Bad.” The network boasts the most-watched drama series in basic cable history and the number one show on television among adults 18-49 for the last three years with “The Walking Dead.” AMC’s original drama series include “Mad Men,” “The Walking Dead,” “Better Call Saul,” “Hell on Wheels,” “TURN: Washington’s Spies,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” and the forthcoming “Humans,” “The Making of The Mob: New York,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Into the Badlands” and “The Night Manager.” AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like “Talking Dead” and “Comic Book Men.” AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Something More.
About Channel 4
Channel 4 is a publicly-owned, commercially-funded, not-for-profit public service broadcaster and has a remit to be innovative, experimental and distinctive. Its public ownership and not-for-profit status ensure all profit generated by its commercial activity is directly reinvested back into the delivery of its public service remit. As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 is also required to commission UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with over 400 creative companies across the UK every year. In addition to the main Channel 4 service, its portfolio includes: E4, More4, Film4, 4Music, 4seven, Channel4.com and digital service All 4.
About Kudos
Kudos is one of the UK’s most successful and original producers of popular, award – winning scripted television, supplying broadcasters domestically and internationally. Shows include “Spooks,” “Life on Mars,” “Ashes to Ashes,” “The Hour,” “Utopia” and the critically acclaimed, multi-award winning “Broadchurch” (written by Chris Chibnall for ITV). Forthcoming productions include new drama series “River” (BBC One), written and created by Emmy® award-winning Abi Morgan (“The Hour”), starring Stellan Skarsgard and Capital (BBC One), adapted by award-winning screenwriter Peter Bowker (“Marvellous”) from the critically acclaimed bestselling novel by John Lanchester and starring Toby Jones. Kudos is an Endemol Shine Group company.