Microsoft is taking on a new challenge by partnering with U.K. production company Channel 4 to produce an original series titled Humans. The drama series will be an adaption of the Swedish sci-fi series Real Humans. Microsoft ordered UK production company, Kudos, to produce eight hour-long episodes with a premiere on the Xbox platform in North America and the U.K.’s Channel 4 in 2015.
Humans is set in a parallel present where busy families live with robotic servants, otherwise known as a Synth. One stressed family invests in a refurbished Synth in hopes to improve their lives but later realizes the consequences of sharing a life with a machine. “Humans not only questions personal relationships, we loved how this sci-fi show toys with reality and our connection to technology,” remarks Xbox Entertainment Studios President Nancy Tellem. Humans screenplay was written in the UK by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley (MI-5).
Xbox Entertainment Studios has other scripted series in the works such as Halo, a music series about rapper Nas’ life, a series of documentaries focused on the digital revolution and an unscripted street soccer series called Every Street United.