Humans

This British science fiction series (a remake of a Swedish TV show) is set in a near future in which robots who look and act human serve as domestic help and menial workers. They are called synthetics, or synths for short, and despite their widespread use, many real people are uncomfortable with the synths' blank, unemotional presence. Laura (Katherine Parkinson), an overwhelmed mother of two teenagers, is wary after her husband Joe (Tom Goodman-Hill) brings home a housekeeper model named Anita (Gemma Chan), who behaves as if she is remembering a past life. William Hurt costars as one of the creators of the synth program; now an old, ailing man, he treats his failing synth like a son. And Colin Morgan is a human trying to protect a group of synths who have become sentient. Like many sci-fi shows, Humans uses its premise as a metaphor to explore issues of identity, prejudice, family, class, and power. These synths form emotional attachments, have human feelings such as compassion and guilt (as well as disgust and anger), and feel solidarity with one another. And at the center of it lies the evolution of the relationship between Anita and her human family, which will be transformed once she regains her self-awareness. Aired on AMC stateside, this compilation of all eight episodes from the 2015 debut season features the original, uncut U.K. broadcast versions. Extras include behind-the-scenes footage and featurettes. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)