Why do you think the subject has become so prevalent in fiction in recent years?
It plays a growing role in our emotional lives expressing ourselves through social media, dating apps etc.
But as it becomes more user-friendly, it also becomes more mysterious and powerful.
We have less idea how it really works than ever and were not encouraged to find out.
Were not encouraged to start unscrewing our phones.
Our technology seems to understand us more, even as we understand it less.
Do you think that TV audiences are becoming more receptive to emotionally complex sci-fi dramas likeHumansandBlack Mirror?
If so, why?
People are always receptive to thinking about the future (and being scared/worried/thrilled/amused by it!
), although it helps that both shows take place in largely recognisable worlds.
Humans emphasis on familial tension rather than action is what sets it apart.
Would you say that sense of intimacy has been missing from other AI dramas up until now?
Maybe, but we cant take much credit for the viewpoint!
The grounded, domestic setting is the great conceptual coup ofAkta Manniskor, the Swedish series on whichHumansis based.
This is a dissertation question!
But creation is literally the first story.
Well only lose interest in creator/created stories when weve made up our minds about our own.
They have to spring organically from the drama and emotions.
No cheating, no shoehorning.
There were philosophical lines we had to drop, because no character had a truthful reason to speak them.
Our ordinary family arent going to start riffing on Descartes.
The Synths seem to display varying levels of sophistication, which we might interpret as different personalities.
How do you write the mental life of a synthetic person?
Depends on which Synth they are!
UnlikeSpooks,Humansis not episodic storytelling but one long story.
That means its episodes dont have an established cold open/intrigue/climax/resolution format.
How did you find the rhythm of where to leave and pick up the story each week?
But scene order is also refined in the edit, where the real pace and rhythm are found.
Was it always your plan to make the Synths the only technological advancement from our time inHumans?
The cars, phones, laptops and so on havent changed.
Was it a matter of not pulling focus, budget, or…?
If the Hawkins were hoverbooting through the front door, it wouldnt be so much about the Synths anymore.
Focus, as you say.
Thats why we say its more a parallel present than a near future.
As a UK/US co-production, what kind of notes did AMC provide?
Were any original elements nixed for being too colloquially British?
Boring answer, but very good and smart notes, as you may expect from the shows theyve made.
The one thing we changed (and we werent even asked to) was milk float.
People just kept asking what it meant, so we changed it.
Probably almost an anachronism here anyway… which is sad.
You researched AI thoroughly when planning the series.
What was the most useful reading matter in that research?
Have you had any memorable responses on social media when the show is airing?
Being the same species as the audience is no guarantee of winning their sympathy.
There have been some unrepeatably funny tweets regarding the, uh, intimate moments between humans and Synths.
Youve said that you have ideas for a potential second season.
What is the scope ofHumans world?
How many seasons could you envisage telling its stories for?
Six seasons and a movie!
No news on a second season at the moment.
We can certainly see multiple series.
With special thanks toRyan LambieandMichael Noble.
Humans airs on Sundays at 9pm on Channel 4 in the UK.
