Hit comedy Ann Droid has been commissioned for a second run after attracting 7.6 million viewers (28 days) for episode one, making it the BBC’s second biggest new scripted launch of the year to date, after Small Prophets.
The show, produced by Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries, was created by BAFTA and Emmy nominated actor and writer Diane Morgan (Mandy, Cunk) and co-written by Morgan and Sarah Kendall (Frayed, The Other One). It stars Sue Johnston (True Love, The Royle Family), Diane Morgan and Paul Ready (Motherland).
Ann Droid debuted in July this year on BBC iPlayer and BBC One and was the biggest launch of a new BBC series for 16 – 34s across all genres since The Celebrity Traitors.
It performed particularly strongly on BBC iPlayer, and episode 1 has continued to grow outside of 28 days, and is now up to 8.1M to date.
In the first series, Sue (Sue Johnston) was bought a second-hand Ann Droid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot (Diane Morgan), by her son Michael (Paul Ready) to help her live independently, so he could focus on repairing his marriage. Reluctant to rely on Linda at first, they soon develop an unlikely and poignant friendship as Sue learns to navigate the later part of her life, no longer alone, but with Linda – whose catchphrase is ‘Sue, Sue, Sue’ - by her side.
Diane Morgan says: “The response to Ann Droid has been so incredible. We’re all totally blown away. I’m really looking forward to not blinking, needing physio and hearing Cotton Eyed Joe on repeat.”
Sue Johnston says: “I am so unbelievably happy that we are to do another series! Great script, great cast, great crew. The reaction from the public has been wonderful. Even my doctor called me Sue, Sue, Sue this morning! Everyone has been asking if there will be more and now we can tell them! Yippee.”
Shane Allen, executive producer for Boffola Pictures, says: “We marvel at our BBC robot overlords and their impeccable decision making. Diane and Sue are comedy dynamite, fronting a superb cast. We’re all overwhelmed by how much the audience has taken the show to their hearts. As a warning to critics and begrudgers, any backlash against series 2 will be met by Linda’s inbuilt tasers.”
Emma Lawson, Interim Director of BBC Comedy, says: “We’re delighted to be bringing Ann Droid back for a second series. Diane and Sarah have created such a warm, relatable, and uniquely funny comedy that audiences in their millions have fallen in love with. Alongside the brilliant team at Boffola and Witchcraft Industries, they’ve given us something truly distinctive, and Linda and Sue Sue Sue have quickly become two of comedy’s most lovable characters. We’re thrilled that we will all get to spend more time with them!”
Ann Droid is a Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The show was commissioned by Emma Lawson, Interim Director of BBC Comedy. It is written by Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall, the executive producers are Shane Allen, Diane Morgan and Pippa Brown, who is also series producing. The commissioning editors for the BBC are Seb Barwell and Navi Lamba. BBC Studios, which has a minority investment stake in Boffola Pictures, will handle global sales.
Praise for Ann Droid:
The Guardian: “Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston’s fresh, funny robot comedy is just wonderful.”
Digital Spy: “It is perfection.”
The Times: “It is daft, but deceptively deep.”
The Daily Telegraph: “Sue Johnston and Diane Morgan are every bit the comedic dream team you would wish.”
Radiotimes.com: “It’s a gem in the BBC’s comedy crown.”
