AMC is adding another sci-fi drama to its lineup.
The home to TV’s 18-to-49 drama, The Walking Dead, has reached a deal for Humans, which was initially part of Xbox Entertainment Studios’ portfolio. AMC will coproduce with Shine Group-owned Kudos and U.K. broadcaster Channel 4.
Humans is set in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a ‘Synth’ - a highly-developed robotic servant eerily similar to its live counterpart. In the hope of transforming the way they live, one strained suburban family purchases a refurbished synth only to discover that sharing life with a machine has far-reaching and chilling consequences.
AMC and Channel 4 are scheduled to air the eight, one-hour instalments in 2015. Shooting will start this fall.
Last July, Microsoft said it would close down XES, an effort to create original content for its gaming consoles, as part of a plan to lay off 18,000 workers.
"’Humans is that rare sci-fi series that puts the emphasis squarely on the character aspect of the story, and explores the emotional impact that will come with an increasingly blurry line between human and machine. We're thrilled to be working with Kudos and Channel 4, both of whom have shown a long-standing commitment to smart, and deeply original drama series" said Joel Stillerman, executive vice president, programming, production and digital content for AMC.
”I am proud of the work we have done shepherding Humans to this point, as well as facilitating and ensuring a smooth transition for our friends at Kudos/Shine and Channel 4," said XES president Nancy Tellem. "While we focus on our future plans, given the show’s production timetable and the support required to guarantee a successful co-production with a shared first window, we wanted to make certain the show found the right home now. We couldn't be more optimistic about Humans' long-term future at AMC.”
