19 Fantastic British Sci-Fi Series You Can Binge Right Now

Gemma Chan in “Humans”. (Photo: AMC TV)

Humans

This drama is set in a near-future world in which robots – called “Synths” – that are made to look like real people are commonly used as domestic workers and personal servants. It’s the must-have gadget of the moment for any well-off busy family. In a twist that will surprise no one who has ever watched any sort of science fiction before, some of the Synths seem to develop some form of consciousness. Some even start engaging in various sorts of more “human” behaviors. What does begin a human even mean, anyway?

The series explores themes of artificial intelligence and robotics, focusing on the societal and cultural impact of using robots in this way. It dives pretty unflinchingly into the lives of several people who purchase these robots, how they use them and why. If you’re into HBO’s current popular drama Westworld, you might be into Humans. Especially if what you’d rather be doing is debating thorny issues of ethics and free will, rather than watching people murder each on loop. (Full disclosure: I love Westworld, too, but wow it has a lot of robot death in it.)

Humans’ cast is also top notch, featuring Gemma Chan, Katherine Parkinson, Tom Goodman Hill, Rebecca Front, Colin Morgan and more.

Number of Seasons: 1 (Though it will be back for a second in 2017.)

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime