Diane Morgan, known for her iconic characters Mandy and Philomena Cunk, has created a new BBC comedy series called Ann Droid. Co-written with Sarah Kendall, the show follows a grieving widow named Sue, played by Sue Johnston, whose adult son Michael (Paul Ready) buys her an Elder Care robot named Linda, portrayed by Morgan. The series is a poignant commentary on an ageing society and the need for social care, but it left this viewer frustrated.
Morgan's robotic performance is uncanny but triggering
Morgan's resemblance to a robot is utterly uncanny and hugely impressive. Her attention to detail in every movement places her miles ahead of other actors playing AI helpers in the show. However, her robotic inability to grasp situations triggered feelings similar to those experienced when Amazon Alexa fails to understand commands. At times, Linda inappropriately blasted upbeat music or spoke with an unnervingly consistent pitch, which caused irrational anger. This may reflect a need for a more mindful approach to technology, but it detracted from the comedy.
Cast performances shine but story drags
Paul Ready, a standout in Motherland, brings a similar awkward energy to Michael, but there aren't enough funny moments to save him from being annoying. Andrea Valls as his unfaithful wife Renee is a wonderful surprise; the actor-come-TikTok star embodies a BJJ-obsessed health conspiracist who thinks 'proximity to old forests can cure things like arthritis and cancer'. Johnston is predictably fantastic but is let down by the series itself, which lacked pacing and dragged at times.
Ann Droid stuck between comedy and drama
The show felt stuck between a comedy and a drama, leaving viewers unsettled. While expecting to be moved to tears or sternly warned of the dangers of technology replacing humans, the series felt one-note and didn't reach a big enough climax. Whether due to Linda's monotone voice or the predictable storyline, the whole thing felt slightly robotic by nature. Ann Droid is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
