Comedian and actress Diane Morgan, best known for her role in Last One Laughing, looks completely unrecognisable in first-look images for her upcoming BBC series, Ann Droid. The star has undergone a dramatic transformation to play a social humanoid robot, sporting a bobbed hairstyle and a blank expression.
A New Role in a Chaotic Buddy Comedy
Morgan co-wrote Ann Droid alongside Frayed writer Sarah Kendall. The six-part series, set to premiere this summer, also features her former Motherland co-star Paul Ready and The Royle Family's Sue Johnston. The show explores an unlikely friendship between an elderly woman and a care robot.
The official synopsis explains: "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) and Linda (Diane), a social humanoid robot created to keep elderly people company and monitor their health."
Plot Details
Set in the future, the series follows Sue, whose husband David passed away 18 months ago. Her only son, Michael (played by Paul Ready), is moving out to try and fix his marriage. To help his mother live independently, he gets her a secondhand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot, portrayed by Morgan.
The synopsis continues: "It's Sue's worst nightmare. An overly attentive, socially inept pain in the a***. 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 is not quite as advanced socially as she is technically.
Cast and Crew Reactions
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, praised the series: "Diane Morgan's sharp comedic genius shines in Ann Droid, co-written with Sarah Kendall, as she brings to life an unlikely friendship between a feisty pensioner and her over-attentive robot. Equal parts clever and chaotic, this six-part sitcom marries heart and high-jinks in equal measure."
Fans have expressed excitement on social media. One viewer wrote: "With Diane Morgan and Paul Ready you just know it's gonna be GOOD." Another added: "Oh, I'm totally watching that." A third exclaimed: "Woooooo! When I'm telling you this series is gonna be fiyaaaaaah. If you know, you know!! Legends... All of them."
Ann Droid will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this summer.
