Channel 4 cancels Humans after three seasons
David Farnor | On 21, May 2019
Humans will not return to Channel 4 for a fourth season, its creators have announced.
The show, produced by Channel 4, AMC and Kudos, is set in a parallel present, where the line between human and machine becomes blurred. It was renewed shortly after its second season for a third run, which aired last year. While it drew praise – including from us – for its unique blend of character and emotion with technology and thrills, Channel 4 and AMC have decided not to renew it for a fourth run.
“Humans will not be returning for another series,” a Channel 4 spokesperson said in a statement. “The show has had three successful series and has been much loved by fans. We are incredibly proud of Humans and the hugely talented creative team, in front of and behind the camera.”
Creators Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent, meanwhile, said that “in this age of unprecedented choice and competition”, they can “have no complaints”.
“Channel 4 and AMC were the perfect partners,” they said. “They supported the show brilliantly and above all – let us make three seasons!
“We’re gutted of course, but we were so lucky. We got to make the show we wanted to make, for 24 episodes. The Humans cast and crew were and are the best, and we wouldn’t have got a second season without their talent and dedication, let alone a third. We can’t name anyone without naming everyone, and that would mean we’d have to do this in an even smaller font – so here’s to every last actor, director, writer, producer, exec, commissioner, DoP, editor, composer, crew member – and the unfailingly generous Swedish team behind the original version.
“The last word has to go to the wonderful Humans fans. Thank you so much for the messages, support, podcasts, bespoke mugs, and for never setting up a petition to make us redo something. It means more than anything to see the show resonating with you like it did. The worst thing about this is that we can’t keep the story going for the people that love it.
“We know we left some threads hanging. That was the way we always wrote the show. Maybe one day we’ll get a chance to pick them back up. If there’s anyone out there with a few million quid and an interest in AI stories, we’re all ears. DM us Elon.”
Season 1 to 3 of Humans are all available as a box set for free on All 4.
Trailer: Humans Season 3 to premiere on 17th May
16th May 2018
Channel 4’s Humans returns this month for a third season.
The show, produced by Channel 4, AMC and Kudos, is set in a parallel present, where the line between human and machine becomes blurred. It was renewed shortly after its second season for a third run, with another eight episodes on the cards.
Never seen Humans? Read why you should catch up here.
Warning: Spoilers for Season 2 follow.
Season 3 picks up exactly one year from the mass Synth awakening that concluded Season 2. Known now as Day Zero, the effect of Mattie Hawkins’ decision to upload the code was immediate and catastrophic. Almost 500 million Synths could suddenly think and feel and over 100,000 humans lost their lives.
Against the turmoil of the Synths, the Hawkins struggle to put past events behind them as they settle into life as a separated family. Laura runs her own law firm, specialising in Anomalous Synth protection, but progress is slow. In Synth-free town Waltringham, where he runs a local grocers, a lonely Joe begins to question his decision to live apart from his children.
Pretending to be human, Niska and Astrid live together in London with Astrid working at a small bar where both Synths and humans are welcome. Before long, dark forces of hate are descending upon the Synths and they are forced to fight for their lives…
Season 3 premieres at 9pm on Thursday 17th May. Here’s a trailer:
Channel 4 orders third season of Humans
28th March 2017
Humans will return for Season 3, Channel 4 has confirmed.
The show, produced by Channel 4, AMC and Kudos, has been re-commissioned for another eight episodes.
Set in a parallel present, the series explores what happens when the line between human and machine becomes blurred. The news arrives just after we’ve all recovered from the finale of the programme’s second season, which aired on Channel 4 to widespread acclaim from viewers and critics.
We praised Season 2 for its balance of heart and science, even as conflict between humans and machines loomed on the ominous horizon.
“With grey areas everywhere and loyalties split across man and machine, it’s hard to imagine a season of Humans that descends into Westworld-style action. But that’s exactly why Channel 4’s series remains so compelling,” we wrote in our review of Season 2’s conclusion. “If Season 3 does happen, we can guarantee one thing: the contrast to the domestic normality of the Hawkins we’ve seen before will be as shocking to us as it is to them. Two seasons in and Humans continues to live up to its name. Long may that be so.”
Writers Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley are back on board for Season 3, with key cast members set to return.
Achieving a consolidated audience of 3.4m viewers to its launch episode Humans S2 was Channel 4’s highest rating returning drama launch since Homeland S2 in 2012 (3.5m). The series averaged a consolidated audience of 2.2m / 8.0 per cent share – up 16 per cent for share and up 20 per cent for volume compared with the broadcasters’ 9pm slot average. It was also the No. 1 drama on C4 last year for 16-34 year old viewers.
On AMC, the series also stands as a top five cable drama launch among adults 25-54 in the USA. So far, season one has averaged 2.0 million viewers and 1.0 million adults 25-54 through its first four episodes in live+3 ratings.
The new season is Executive Produced by Derek Wax, Emma Kingsman-Lloyd, Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley for Kudos in association with Wild Mercury Productions, Lars Lundstrom and Henrik Widman for Matador Films, and is produced by Vicki Delow for Kudos. The third season was commissioned for Channel 4 by Beth Willis and Simon Maxwell; and Joel Stillerman and Kristin Jones for AMC.
Beth Willis, Head of Drama at Channel 4 says: “I can’t wait to see what the extraordinarily talented Sam and Jon do next with this show – no doubt it will be as insightful, surprising and addictive as ever.”
Diederick Santer, CEO of Kudos and Executive Producer Derek Wax, adds: “The world that Sam and Jon have so vividly created is set to unfold and reveal itself in even more meaningful, exciting and complex ways and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for our cast of incredible characters.”
Humans Season 2 is available now on DVD and Blu-ray. You can also stream it for free on All 4, or buy and download it on pay-per-view VOD, including iTunes, Amazon Instant Video and Google Play.
Humans will return for a second season
2nd August 2015
Channel 4’s Humans will return for a second season.
The broadcaster has confirmed that it has ordered a second run of its new sci-fi, which is co-produced with AMC.
The show has enjoyed a huge response from audiences, racking up 6.1m viewers on Channel 4 with its opening hour, which makes it Channel 4’s highest rated original drama in 20 years. On AMC, in the US, the series stands as a top five cable drama launch among adults 25-54. So far, Season 1 has averaged 2 million viewers and 1 million adults 25-54 through its first four episodes.
The show, based on the award-winning Swedish sci-fi drama Real Humans from Matador Films, is set in a parallel present where the lines between humans and machines are blurred, as “Synths” become the latest must-have gadget for every home.
That blend of excitement over new gizmos and mistrust of them taps into society’s prevailing preoccupation with technology and artificial intelligence. What does it mean to be human? Can the very traits through which we define humanity be taught?
Piers Wenger, Head of Drama at Channel 4, comments: “Humans has proved a huge hit with both audiences and critics alike this summer and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to writers Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley and to the team at Kudos for bringing a truly unmissable show to life. It also marks a key moment for Channel 4 as we expand our remit for bold and original drama into the international, co-production space. We look forward to working with our partners AMC on series 2 of Humans and to more Synth-related adventures to come.”
Derek Wax, Executive Producer, Kudos adds: “As producers, we’re so thrilled to have been able to work with Sam and Jon on such provocative and challenging ideas and stories. We’re delighted that viewers have connected with the series so wholeheartedly and look forward to continuing the wonderfully collaborative relationship with Channel 4 and AMC. And of course, going back to Synth School to learn some new moves for series two.”
The series will return for eight brand new episodes, with production starting next year.
While you wait, here’s some of the fantastic soundtrack for the show, by Cristobal Tapia de Veer: