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Real Humans

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Real Humans
GenreDrama
Science fiction
Created byLars Lundström
Directed byHarald Hamrell
Levan Akin
ComposerRikard Borggård
Country of originSweden
Original languageSwedish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producersStefan Baron
Henrik Widman
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesSveriges Television (SVT)
Matador Film AB
Original release
NetworkSveriges Television (SVT)
ReleaseJanuary 22, 2012 (2012-01-22) –
February 2nd 2014
Related
Humans

Real Humans (Swedish: Äkta människor) is a 2012 Swedish science fiction/drama series set in an alternative near-future version of Sweden where consumer-level humanoid robot workers and servants are widespread. The series follows the resulting emotional effects on two families as well as the trials of a group of robots who have attained free will and want their freedom from human ownership.

It premiered on SVT 1 on 22 January 2012. The series was written by Lars Lundström and directed by Harald Hamrell and Levan Akin.[1] As of 2013, the series has been sold to about 50 countries, including Australia, France, Germany, and South Korea.[2] A second season of ten episodes premiered on SVT1 in October 2013. In April 2013 it was announced that Lars Lundström was writing a third series, but as of August 2014, SVT is yet to officially announce whether the series will be renewed for a third season. As of November 2014, Lundström said in an interview with Festival Court Métrange, "We have planned for a third season, we have written a whole outline and some scripts, but right now it's in decision making (sic); if it's going to happen or not, because we have problem to fund the budget money. In a couple of weeks, maximum a month, we know, but I'm sorry to say, I'm not very optimistic.".[3]

Setting

The story takes place in a version of present-day Sweden where the use of androids is commonplace. The androids, known as hubots, function as servants, workers, companions, and even illicitly as sexual partners, with different models having specific features designed for their distinctive roles. While some people embrace this new technology, others are disturbed by it. A far-right political movement, the "real humans", arises in opposition to the encroachment of hubots upon human society. Some members use the derogatory term "Pacmans" to refer to hubots.

Hubots are usually programmed to recognise and obey their owner and can learn skills and pick up knowledge through observation of humans. Hubots have begun to replace human workers in many industries, especially in the performance of repetitive tasks. Though they are designed to closely resemble humans, hubots are usually easy for humans to recognise as they have bright flawless skin, glossy hair and unnaturally bright (usually very blue or very green) eyes. All Hubots also have a USB-like port, in either the back of the neck or in their lower back, which is used for programming and data. The button to activate or de-power a hubot is located under the left armpit, as is a standard wall plug cord for recharging purposes. Hubots require only electricity to survive and must recharge regularly, during which they enter a sleep-like state. Hubot skin feels similar to human skin and is kept at normal human body temperature, but beneath the skin are metal components and a blue fluid/lubricant known as HubFluid.

Hubots are also programmed to be docile. They obey a set of rules called "Asimov" protocols that prevent them from harming humans. However, some hubots have been modified beyond the legal protocols to function as lovers or bodyguards. Such practices are illegal in Sweden and those who modify the programming of the hubots are known as "home-brewers". A small, low-funded branch of the police is set up to investigate hubot related crimes, known as E-HURB. Hubot-human sexual activity is taboo but not uncommon and many hubots are programmed for limited sexual activity. Those who pursue sexual relationships with hubots are derisively called "Hubbies".

Further, those hubots reprogrammed by original hubot creator David Eischer have started to develop feelings, desires and their own goals, attaining an apparent capacity for free will and independence from humans. Their code is designed to integrate and balance various emotions simultaneously as opposed to the one-emotion-at-a time code that standard hubots have. They are still often naive and unworldly and sometimes fail to understand the nuances of complex human behaviour.

Characters

Marie Robertson who plays Bea
Leif Andrée who plays Roger

The Engman Family

  • Pia Halvorsen [sv], Inger Engman, a mother and lawyer
  • Johan Paulsen [sv], Hans Engman, Inger's husband
  • Natalie Minnevik [sv], Matilda Engman, the eldest Engman child, who works in a supermarket
  • Kåre Hedebrant, Tobias Engman (nicknamed "Tobbe"), a teenage school student
  • Aline Palmstierna [sv], Sofia Engman, the youngest Engman daughter
  • Sten Elfström, Lennart Sollberg, Inger's father who lives alone with his hubot companion(s)
  • Alexander Stocks [sv], Odi, Lennart's much beloved hubot companion
  • Anki Larsson [sv], Vera, a less genial hubot designed to look after Lennart's health in old age
  • Lisette Pagler, Anita, a hubot that Hans purchases for the family; she has a hidden personality the family discovers (see above).

The Children of David Eischer

  • Andreas Wilson, Leo Eischer, David's son (in flashbacks, 10-year-old Leo is played by Romeo Altera [sv])
  • Eva Röse, Niska, David Eischer's main hubot assistant, de facto leader of the "free" hubots
  • Marie Robertson, Beatrice "Bea", a free hubot with a past closely tied to Leo's. She has been posing as a human named Beatrice Novak, working as both a detective with E-HUB and an anti-hubot activist.
  • Lisette Pagler, Mimi, a hubot with free will that seems to have feelings for Leo (see Anita)
  • David Lenneman [sv], Fred, a hubot with free will.
  • André Sjöberg, Gordon, a hubot with free will
  • Josephine Alhanko, Flash / Florentine, a hubot with free will; in season two, forms an intimate relationship with a human.
  • Saunet Sparell [sv], Marylyn, a hubot with free will

The Engman's Neighbours

  • Leif Andrée, Roger, neighbour of the Engmans, husband of Therese and adoptive father to Kevin. He is a temperamental warehouse worker, and skeptical of hubots.
  • Camilla Larsson, Therese, unhappy wife of Roger, mother of Kevin, and attracted to her hubot trainer. She is a friend of Inger's. Separated from Roger after a violent confrontation over Rick, her hubot.
  • Fredrik Silbersky [sv], Kevin, Therese's son, and an anti-hubot activist.
  • Johannes Bah Kuhnke, Rick, Therese's hubot, who has special (illegal) programming allowing greater empathy and simulated emotion than most hubots

Other major characters

Humans

  • Thomas W. Gabrielsson, David Eischer, Leo's father and the programmer who created the code that allows hubots to attain free will. He is deceased, and seen in flashbacks.
  • Ola Wahlström [sv], Ove Holm, a male detective with E-HUB
  • Jimmy Lindström [sv], Malte Koljonen, a volatile anti-hubot activist
  • Anna Sise [sv], Pilar, Therese's best friend who works at a gym
  • Måns Nathanaelson, Jonas Boberg, owner of the hubot retail store Hubot Market
  • Peter Viitanen, Silas, a thief, trafficker and illegal modifier of hubots
  • Sofia Bach [sv], Asa, the pastor and wife to Eva. She believes the hubots won't harm anyone.
  • Ellen Mattsson, Eva, the vicar's wife who is not fond of hubots
  • Shebly Niavarani, Henning, Inger Engman's manager at the lawfirm
  • Niklas Jarneheim [sv], Magnus, Inger Engman's colleague at the lawfirm
  • Karin Bertling, Niska Boberg (in season two), estranged mother of Jonas; an anti-technology recluse with a past connection to David Eischer

Hubots

  • Christopher Wagelin [sv], Max, a hubot (handyman model) who assists Leo, and whom Leo has partially liberated from the restrictions of his programming
  • Rennie Mirro [sv], Bo, Pilar's hubot
  • Dan Ekdahl [sv], Arnold, Jonas' hubot
  • Jonas Malmsjö, Luther, a hubot Silas and his partner have hacked to act as a security guard
Note: Most actors playing hubots appear in multiple roles in the series (usually non-speaking) as other copies of the same model.

Episodes

Series 1 (2012)

№ Title Directed by Written by Original air date AU air date[4] AU viewers
1"Break In, Break Loose"Harald HamrellLars Lundström22 January 2012 (2012-01-22)1 December 2012TBA
2"Trust No One"Harald HamrellLars Lundström22 January 2012 (2012-01-22)8 December 2012TBA
3"The Lord Shall Be Our Companion"Harald HamrellLars Lundström29 January 2012 (2012-01-29)15 December 2012TBA
4"Semi-Human Rights"Harald HamrellLars Lundström5 February 2012 (2012-02-05)22 December 2012TBA
5""Power at Heart""Levan AkinLars Lundström12 February 2012 (2012-02-12)29 December 2012TBA
6"Sly Leo"Levan AkinLars Lundström19 February 2012 (2012-02-19)5 January 2013TBA
7"Blind Love"Levan AkinLars Lundström26 February 2012 (2012-02-26)12 January 2013TBA
8"Make Haste"Levan AkinLars Lundström4 March 2012 (2012-03-04)19 January 2013TBA
9"Heritage"Harald HamrellLars Lundström11 March 2012 (2012-03-11)26 January 2013TBA
10"The Code"Harald HamrellLars Lundström18 March 2012 (2012-03-18)2 February 2013TBA

Series 2 (2013)

A second series was commissioned and the first episode aired on December 1, 2013, on SVT1.[5]

№ Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1TBAHarald HamrellLars Lundström1 December 2013 (2013-12-01)
2TBAHarald HamrellLars Lundström8 December 2013 (2013-12-08)
3TBAHarald HamrellLars Lundström15 December 2013 (2013-12-15)
4TBAHarald HamrellLars Lundström22 December 2013 (2013-12-22)
5TBAHarald HamrellLars Lundström30 December 2013 (2013-12-30)
6TBAHarald HamrellLars Lundström5 January 2014 (2014-01-05)
7TBAKristina HumleLars Lundström12 January 2014 (2014-01-12)
8TBAChristian Eklöw, Christopher PanovLars Lundström19 January 2014 (2014-01-19)
9TBAChristian Eklöw, Christopher PanovLars Lundström26 January 2014 (2014-01-26)
10TBAChristian Eklöw, Christopher PanovLars Lundström2 February 2014 (2014-02-02)

Reception

The first season of the program received glowing reviews. Io9's Charlie Jane Anders called the program "startlingly beautiful", disturbing and "creepy as hell".[6] The Australian called it "the best science fiction to hit the small screen in a long time".[7] Joe Hubris called it "the best android story ... since Blade Runner".[8]

English-language remake

The rights to an English-language version of the programme were sold to Kudos Film & Television, and the format rights and international distribution to Shine Limited.[1][9] Called Humans, the English-language version debuted in 2015 on Channel 4 in the UK, on AMC in the US and Canada, and on ABC in Australia.[10] The second season started airing in October 2016.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Real Humans". Sveriges Television AB. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Export-success for SVT's Sci-Fi enterprise (Swedish)". Resumé.se. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  3. ^ Lars LUNDSTROM(at 3:45-4:10). YouTube. 6 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Real Humans: Pilot Episode – Television Series Review – Everywhere – by Simone Lee". Weekendnotes.com. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  5. ^ "Smygtitta på andra säsongen". SVT.se. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  6. ^ "This Swedish TV show about an abducted sex robot is creepy as hell". io9.com. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  7. ^ "The Weekend Australian – Review – Real Humans". The Australian. 8 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Akta Good Science Fiction: A Review of SVT's Real Humans". Joehubris.com. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Kudos to remake 'Real Humans'". Variety. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Humans: Channel 4 and AMC's sci-fi drama releases its first image". Digital Spy. 2015-01-10.
  11. ^ Barraclough, Leo (July 31, 2015). "AMC, Channel 4 Renew Sci-Fi Drama 'Humans' for Season 2". Variety. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
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