As Humans series three draws to a close on AMC in the US following its Channel 4 airing earlier this year, news arrives that a Chinese remake of the AI drama has begun filming in Shanghai.
This is the second geographical leap for screenwriter Lars Lundstrom’s original premise, which originated in the Swedish series Real Humans (or Äkta Människorr) before writers Sam Vincent and Jon Brackley imported it for their successful UK version.
See related article: Comparing Humans to the Swedish Original
Unlike the UK series, which takes place in a parallel present where robot ‘Synths’ have become part of everyday domestic and industrial life, the Chinese remake will be set in the year 2035.
That’s unlikely to be the only change to such an overtly political drama. In the original Swedish and the UK version, Synths have been an opportunity to explore race, class, and fear of the other. How the potent narrative strand on human and employee rights will be translated to a new continent is going to be fascinating to see.
As reported by Deadline, the new version will be a Mandarin-language remake from Endemol Shine China involving both the UK and Swedish producers Kudos and Matador. There’s no confirmed broadcaster as yet, but the expectation must be that stars Ray Ma and Stephy Qi, both actor-singers, will draw in a healthy audience of existing fans.
Here’s a first look at both in character:
