Articles about Humans
Guilty pleasure
After three seasons playing an android in sci-fi drama Humans, actor Ruth Bradley reveals how she transformed herself again for Scottish drama Guilt as a woman investigating her uncle’s mysterious death.
Wonder women
A host of female characters are rewriting the rules for women on television. DQ explores how they are being brought to the small screen to front series ranging from contemporary crime dramas and thrillers to period and historical series.
Do the robot
As sci-fi drama Humans enters its third season, movement choreographer Dan O’Neill reveals the new challenges he faces turning the show’s expanding cast into its iconic ‘synths.’
Sci-fi high
Science fiction has a long association with television, but it’s now more visible than ever. DQ explores how a shift in storytelling has pushed the genre into the mainstream.
Scripted series battle to get noticed
It’s increasingly tough for dramas to gain attention – even if they are great shows. Slow starts for Humans and The Young Pope mean word of mouth and catch-up viewing will be important. Also, finalists for the C21 Drama Awards have been revealed.
Outlander outdoes itself on Starz
As Starz hit Outlander begins its second season with a bang, can The Night Manager replicate its UK success on AMC when required to rub shoulders with the channel’s zombies, ambulance-chasing lawyers and martial arts experts?
The art of the twist
From Sophocles to Shakespeare and Agatha Christie to Arthur Conan Doyle, great thriller writers have distinguished themselves by their ability to shock and surprise audiences. We ask writers of recent hit shows how they hooked audiences and kept them off balance until the reveal.
Sundance struggles with language barrier
A strong critical reception for German-language Deutschland 83 has failed to translate into viewing numbers on SundanceTV in the US, but Andy Fry says that doesn’t mean the channel should give up on non-English fare.
AMC finds more life in Dead franchise
As AMC prepares to Fear the Walking Dead and step Into the Badlands, there are also new shows heading to National Geographic, The CW and E!, plus renewals from Starz, Netflix and Channel 4.
Will C4’s robots return?
Andy Fry wonders whether Humans’ impressive showing on Channel 4 will outweigh its muted reception stateside when it comes to the question of a second season. Meanwhile, there are hits for BBC1 and MTV but misses for Scandi shows in the US.
Synth-ly the best: Translating Humans from Swedish to English
Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent tell Michael Pickard how they transformed a Swedish sci-fi thriller into Channel 4’s biggest original drama for 20 years.
Globo novela explores a different avenue
Brazil’s Globo has made up its own rules as it attempts to repeat the success of Brazil Avenue, writes Andy Fry, while AMC’s latest addition to the ever-popular zombie genre, Fear The Walking Dead, shuffles forward in suitably menacing fashion.
Can Humans survive in the US?
Sci-fi drama Humans may be still be going strong in the UK, but is it doing well enough to stay alive stateside on AMC? Meanwhile, as returns of Rectify and Mr Robot are confirmed, Andy Fry looks at the increasing impact of digital viewing figures on renewal decisions.
Ladies first
In the US, Outlander and Pretty Little Liars show how female-skewing dramas benefit from the fact women are more likely than men to discuss their favourite shows online, while over in the UK No Offence and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell are struggling.
As digital changes the game, where does drama go next?
With the explosion in digital platforms, a sharp rise in investment and more varied content than ever, it’s certainly an exciting time to be working in the drama industry. But where does drama go from here – and what challenges is the new landscape throwing up?