Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

Humans is set in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a ‘Synth’ – a highly-developed robotic servant eerily similar to its live counterpart. In the hope of transforming the way they live, one strained suburban family purchases a refurbished synth only to discover that sharing life with a machine has far-reaching and chilling consequences.

Written by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley, Humans is based on the award-winning Swedish sci-fi drama “Real Humans”.

William Hurt plays George Millican, a widower who has formed a close relationship with his out-of-date synth Odi, who he treats more like a son than a piece of machinery.

Katherine Parkinson plays Laura, a woman who seems to have it all – a great career as a lawyer, a loving husband, three children. But inside she’s struggling with her own unresolved demons. In a misguided attempt to help the situation her husband Joe, played by Olivier award-winning Tom Goodman Hill, buys a Synth. Played by Gemma Chan, Anita is the pliant, servile automaton that all Synths are supposed to be – but every now and then, she does something inexplicable. Something… almost human

Colin Morgan joins the cast as Leo, who’s desperately trying to track down someone from his past; Rebecca Front plays the NHS funded overbearing carer synth, Vera; and Neil Maskell takes on the role of police officer D.S Peter Drummond, who works for the Special Technologies Task Force.

The eight episode series will be broadcast next year on Channel 4 and AMC.