Diane Morgan to play a robot in AI sitcom
BBC One comedy co-written with Sarah Kendall
Diane Morgan is to play a humanoid robot created to keep elderly people company in a new BBC One sitcom.
The Cunk star wrote the six-part series – provisionally called Ann Droid – with fellow comic Sarah Kendall
And she said: ‘I’m thrilled that the BBC has finally commissioned a programme about AI and how it will affect your mum."
The comedy is set in 2029 when widow Sue is given a D500 social humanoid eldercare robot, created to keep the ageing population company and monitor their health, taking the pressure off the ever-stretched NHS.
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, say producers.
Shane Allen, executive producer for programme-makers Boffola Pictures, said: ‘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. The ball’s in your court Chat GPT.’
Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy, adds: "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.’
The show was one of several announced at the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast today.
Ann Droid production credits
Made by: Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries
Written by: Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall,
Executive producers: Shane Allen, Diane Morgan and Pippa Brown
Series producer: Pippa Brown
Commissioned by: Jon Petrie
Commissioning editors: Seb Barwell and Navi Lamba. BBC Studios,
Published: 21 May 2025
Aisling Bea and Diane Morgan in Who Do You Think You Are?
Comedians Aisling Bea and Diane Morgan are taking part…
23/03/2025
Filming starts on series 4 of Diane Morgan’s Mandy
Filming has started on the fourth series of Diane Morgan’s…
27/01/2025
Tony Hancock’s films rereleased on DVD and Blu-ray
Paul Merton and Diane Morgan have recorded material…
12/01/2025
Philomena Cunk writes her second book
Philomena Cunk is to release her second book this autumn.
The…
15/07/2024
Ricky Gervais is working on a new animated series
Ricky Gervais is making a new animated series featuring…
13/07/2024
First look at Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The BBC has unveiled details of the new Wallace and…
6/06/2024
Motherland 'has come to an end'
Hit comedy Motherland will not be returning, star…
27/03/2024
Nothing will be as funny as the woman being pulled up by shop shutters...
Diane Morgan returns to BBC Two with a third series…
21/03/2024
Alan Partridge and Philomena Cunk are back
Alan Partridge is confirmed to return with a new documentary…
5/02/2024
Diane Morgan starts filming series 3 of Mandy
Filming has started on the third series of Diane Morgan’s…
19/10/2023
Criminally talented! Top names join Noel Fielding's highwayman comedy
Apple TV+ has today announced a star-studded cast joining…
2/08/2023
Diane Morgan: I got rickets shooting Frayed
Diane Morgan has revealed she got rickets shooting…
27/06/2023
Past Shows
Agent
We do not currently hold contact details for Diane Morgan's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.