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Philomena Cunk star's new robot comedy almost broke her (literally)
Diane Morgan had to see a physio after filming new sitcom Ann Droid
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We don’t often think of playing an android as a physically demanding role for an actor, but Philomena Cunk star Diane Morgan found out that there are hidden dangers to playing an AI companion. While filming her new BBC sitcom, Ann Droid, Morgan found herself needing physiotherapy to undo the damage playing an android did to her.
Diane Morgan’s impressively dry wit makes her an ideal comedian to play a comedic robot, but she certainly put the work in to really nail the portrayal. Ann Droid follows widowed pensioner Sue who is given a “pre-loved” robot carer by her son after he finally moves out of the house. That robot is Linda, played by Diane Morgan.
In a recent interview, she talked about the difficulties of playing a robot on screen. “I had to see a physio at the end of it. And I got an ulcer on my eye from the contact lens. And from not blinking! That was such a stupid decision! No one cares! No one is going to go, ‘Oh wow. She’s not blinking. That must have been really difficult.’ No one will even notice.”
To help her nail the mannerisms of the inhuman character, Morgan consulted a movement coach who worked on Humans. “He taught me how to move like a robot, and then I made it a bit funnier.”
The warmly inhuman way that Linda approaches the world is a key part of what makes Ann Droid such a fun take on what is often the stuff of horror stories. From the sound of it, Diane Morgan suffered to bring her strange quirks to life.
Ann Droid Season 1 is streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK. No announcement surrounding international releases has been made as of writing.
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