Diane Morgan

Actress Diane Morgan takes on the role of a social humanoid robot called Linda in the new BBC comedy.

This month, BBC viewers have been treated to a brand-new comedy series.

Ann Droid features the likes of Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston as they play robot Linda and lonely widow Sue.

When Linda’s son Michael (Paul Ready) gets her an AI eldercare robot to help her, it’s clear she’s less than thrilled with the decision.

Although she initially wanted to return her new robot companion, Linda quickly changed her mind, and what follows is a hilarious, unlikely and unconventional relationship.

Appearing on The One Show, actress Diane Morgan spoke to Alex Jones and Vernon Kay about the lengths she went to accurately play the robot.

Diane commented: “It’s really hard! I got an ulcer, did I tell you I got an ulcer? Yeah, I didn’t blink.

“I made the stupid decision to not blink. What an idiot. I was wearing these really thick blue contact lenses.”

Vernon cut in to share her confusion as she highlighted that Diane already has blue eyes.

The BBC star replied: “I know! I got an ulcer, so I stopped wearing them. I said, ‘Oh, how are we going to film the rest of it?’

“They just said, ‘We’ll do it in post’. I was like, ‘Well, what’s the point of me wearing them?!’”

As her co-star shared that he thought it was worth it, Vernon added: “You suffered for your art.”

Since the series was released earlier this month, BBC viewers have had nothing but praise for the show, with many admitting to binge-watching it in one sitting.

One person online commented: “Love ANN DROID.” Another wrote: “This show was amazing!! Sad, happy, funny and emotional.”

Someone else commented: “Absolutely loved it and Diane is just fabulous.” While a fourth wrote: “Binge watched on iplayer… so so good!!!!”

Another added: “Excellent series – funny, poignant and current – congratulations.”

Ann Droid is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The new six-part series sees actress Diane Morgan play a social humanoid robot, Linda.

The new series has caused a stir online.

BBC’s six-part comedy Ann Droid kicked off on Friday night (July 17) as viewers tuned in to watch actress Sue Johnston play lonely widower Sue.

Concerned about her health and well-being, her son Michael (Paul Ready) decides to get her an AI eldercare robot, much to her annoyance.

Giving the robot, whom she calls Linda (Diane Morgan), a trial run, it’s clear things aren’t going smoothly as viewers saw the robot walk in on her in the bath and ruin her dressing gown.

However, as the episode began, it wasn’t long before people commented on the new series as many viewers shared the same opinion.

One person said: “#AnnDroid Funny, sad, incisive. Diane Morgan and Sue Johnson are brilliant. SueSueSue is a winner.” Someone else added: “#AnnDroid is my new favourite telly show.”

Another viewer wrote: “Just watched the first episode of #anndroid by @Sarah_Kendall and Diane Morgan, and it is a great piece of writing and acting. Deserves to be a hit with viewers #suesuesue.”

One fan commented: “Ann Droid is sharp, witty and gorgeously funny. Sue Johnston is brilliant as per, and if you’re a fan of Diane Morgan, it’s a real treat #AnnDroid @BBCOne”

While another added: “Watched episode 1 of #AnnDroid. Brilliantly funny, but also so full of emotion. It made me cry! Absolutely loved it.”

Speaking about playing the role, actress Diana Morgan detailed the hardest part about playing a robot.

She commented: “What was hard was that Sue got these really emotional scenes, and I’m sitting next to her, motionless. But obviously I’m hearing everything, and she’s amazing.

“There were times, sitting on the bed, where I thought, ‘I’m gonna cry, I’m gonna cry’. And I can’t cry, I’m a robot. It was really difficult.”

Although the pair got off on the wrong foot to begin with, the episode took a heart-warming turn at the end.

Changing her mind on sending Linda back, Sue decides to keep the robot for a little while longer as she helps her to navigate with her loneliness and grief as an unexpected friendship forms.

Ann Droid is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.