![\"Gemma](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_12176696-77a8-e1749737649426.jpg\")
\n\t\tChannel 4 show Humans just turned 10 years old (Picture: Colin Hutton)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tChannel 4 show Humans just turned 10 years old (Picture: Colin Hutton)<\/p>\n
Exactly 10 years ago, Channel 4<\/a> released one of the best tech dystopian series of the decade \u2013 and no, it\u2019s not Black Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n The star-studded 2015 series \u2013 featuring Gemma Chan, Colin Morgan and Katherine Parkinson \u2013 was set in a parallel near-future universe in which human-shaped robots<\/a> (known as synths) are part of society.<\/p>\n The synths\u2019 introduction into workplaces, the home, and the seedy underbelly of the cities has transformed the world as we know it.<\/p>\n From having human-like robot slaves cleaning our characters\u2019 homes to using their bodies as sex dolls to replacing humans with their synth counterparts in the workplace, the three-season show was unafraid to explore the darker side of human-robot relations.<\/p>\n Based on a Swedish drama, the show follows the Hawkins family, who are caught up in a technological web far larger than they ever imagined when they bring synth Mia (Gemma)<\/a> home, who has depths far deeper than meets the eye.<\/p>\n The Bafta-nominated series written by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley wowed critics and audiences at the time of its release as well, securing an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes for its stellar acting, strong scripts and eerie finger on the pulse.<\/p>\n \t\t At the time, Empire Magazine called it \u2018one of the freshest British dramas in years\u2019 and Digital Spy dubbed it a \u2018smart, deftly realised science-fiction with real heart.\u2019<\/p>\n New York Magazine said it was \u2018an impressively fleshed-out show, joining the ranks of other robo-oriented substantive dramas\u2019 and the LA Times lauded it for its \u2018surprisingly nuanced look\u2019 at the dangers of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n As laid out by those who watched it, what set Humans apart from the growing genre of sci-fi dystopia was its unapologetic look at the messy morality behind the curtain, and accepting that there was no easy answer.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tTV writer Asyia Iftikhar on why she loves Channel 4 series Humans\t\t\t<\/p>\n When I find myself looking down the barrel of technologically induced existential doom and looking to indulge, my hand often goes for the TV remote.<\/p>\n As a sci-fi nerd and dystopia lover, I have long loved shows like Black Mirror and Orphan Black, but time and time again, I find myself revisiting Humans on Channel 4.<\/p>\n Not only does this brilliant cast put on a compelling performance, but the storyline still feels like it could happen at any moment, even 10 years after it first aired. <\/p>\n Nowadays, artificial intelligence has become a big part of our everyday lives, from ChatGPT to Character AI to AI-rendered pornography.<\/p>\n So the questions raised by Humans around the abuse of women and capturing human consciousness in technology have never felt more relevant. <\/p>\n Especially considering our growing co-dependency on technology, in many ways, it feels we are already living out the events of the show.<\/p>\n Beyond its pertinent themes, it makes for gritty and grounded television with the human and robot relationships forming the beating heart of the show.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the speculative nature of the show means it goes in weird and wacky places that might not be the most realistic but are certainly fascinating to watch unfold.<\/p>\n It is one of the rare times I have found myself rooting for the robots \u2013 not an easy feat.<\/p>\n Although I think it did lose its way by season three, the first two seasons stand up as vibrant additions to the British sci-fi genre.<\/p>\n \t\t One fan, RT user Pat K called it an \u2018uncomfortable watch\u2019 and Jared M shared they were \u2018looking for a new psychological deep sci-fi show that would make me think, and here it is.\u2019<\/p>\n Although some of the story arcs, themes or plots may seem outdated, the crux of the show holds up thanks to this layered approach.<\/p>\n The first two seasons hold water with water-tight characters and motivations even if, as some fans have pointed out, it does lose steam by the final season with shakier plotlines.<\/p>\n Speaking of the ethos behind the show in 2015, the co-creators told Den of Geek there is \u2018a strain of resistance to sci-fi in British TV commissioning\u2019.<\/p>\n They added: \u2018But people who are nervous of the term usually actually mean \u201cspace opera\u201d rather than \u201csci-fi\u201d. <\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re more the speculative science fiction of ideas, the kind that doesn\u2019t go to other galaxies but puts the scary, weird idea right in your living room.\u2019<\/p>\n And that they do. <\/p>\n For those who haven\u2019t watched it Humans is available to stream on Channel 4 now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Dino](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_13728852-e884.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe show doesn\u2019t shy away from the messy ethics of giving technology a conscience (Picture: Colin Hutton)<\/p>\n![\"Lucy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AD_176147511-26ca.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Hawkins family get involved in the dangerous world of Human-Synth relations (Picture: Colin Hutton\/Kudos)<\/p>\n
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