Calling all Motherland fans, while we're still desperately longing for the beloved sitcom to return to our screens, we do have some rather good news about one of its stars. Diane Morgan, who played straight-talking single mother, Liz, is bringing us a surprise new BBC One sitcom known as Ann Droid – and judging by the details, it’s set to be the perfect replacement.
The new series is set in 2029 and will see Diane star as a caregiver with a difference. Different in what way, you ask? Well, she’s a robot for a start, who’s been developed to created elderly people company and remove some of the burden from the overwhelmed NHS. Shane Allen, executive producer for production company, Boffola Pictures, says: "In a world where AI is creeping in to the creative industry, we’re fighting back in the best way we can: taking the piss out of it" – so it’s safe to say we can expect plenty of laughs from the series, at AI’s expense.
Ahead of Ann Droid’s arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about Diane Morgan’s new sitcom, including the plot and how to watch it.
What is Ann Droid about?
The six-part sitcom stars Diane Morgan a “social humanoid robot”, created to keep elderly people company and monitor their health. It's been written by Diane herself alongside Sarah Kendall (Dreamland, The Other One), with the pair having previously appeared in an episode of BBC One’s Motherland together.
As we mentioned, the series will take us to 2029 and introduce us to Sue, whose husband, David, passed away 18 months ago. Her only son, Michael, is moving out - again - to try and fix his marriage - again. However, the good news is that he’s got his mum a surprise to help her live independently - a care provider with a difference. Enter the D500 social humanoid eldercare robot, which has been created to keep the ageing population company and monitor their health, taking the pressure off the ever-stretched NHS.
According to the BBC’s official synopsis, “It’s Sue’s worst nightmare. An overly attentive, socially inept pain in the arse. 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.”
Diane Morgan has said she’s “thrilled that the BBC has finally commissioned a programme about AI and how it will affect your mum”, while Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, added: “Diane Morgan’s sharp comedic genius shines in Ann Droid (w/t), 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.”
Who’s starring in Ann Droid?
As it stands, Diane Morgan is the only confirmed cast member of Ann Droid, playing the “robot” at the centre of the series. However, we’re expecting more casting news to be released soon, so watch this space for more details.
What else can I watch Motherland’s Diane Morgan in?
If you haven’t already seen it, we’d recommend catching up on Cunk on Earth, the Charlie Brooker-produced spoof documentary series, in which Diane Morgan stars as Philomena Cunk, an ill-informed documentary presenter who traces the history of Britain and the world. Her deadpan delivery is truly hilarious. You can watch it on BBC iPlayeror Netflix.
She’s also brilliant in the BBC sitcom, Mandy, which she created, wrote and directed. Starring as the titular hapless job seeker Mandy Carter, in each episode we see Mandy attempt a series of short-lived jobs and let’s just say they often end in disaster. You can watch all three series on BBC iPlayer.
How can I watch Ann Droid?
The BBC hasn’t yet shared a release date for Ann Droid, but given that the show has only just been announced, we’d expect it to arrive on our screens towards the end of the year at the earliest. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here. If you’re a Motherland fan, you can catch up on the show’s spin-off series, Amandaland, on BBC iPlayer, in the meantime.
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