Sue Johnston: Fame, Loneliness, and Her Robot Companion in 'Ann Droid'

Renowned for her roles in iconic soap operas, as part of the beloved Royle family, and even as a zombie pensioner, actress Sue Johnston has once again captured audiences' attention. This time, she stars in 'Ann Droid', a whimsical comedy created by Diane Morgan, which explores the relationship between an elderly widow and her cybernetic assistant.

Johnston, an actress typically critical of her own on-screen appearances, found herself making a rare exception for 'Ann Droid'. In this new sitcom, penned by Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall, the 82-year-old portrays a recently widowed woman. Her son, upon moving out, arranges for a humanoid robot named Linda to provide assistance. Linda, brought to life with a delightful eeriness by Morgan herself, is an older, more budget-friendly model. Her limited intelligence means she often resorts to unconventional methods to lift spirits, such as blasting "Cotton Eye Joe" at those around her.

Despite their initial awkwardness, the bond between the woman and her robot deepens, leading to an inseparable companionship. Johnston describes the series as "rich with humour and love." Reflecting on her viewing experience, she found the show so engrossing that she "forgot it was me – I very rarely do that and I just enjoyed it."

While 'Ann Droid' stands on its own merits as a hilariously chaotic and deeply touching series, Johnston's profound enthusiasm for the project also stems from a personal connection. "I'm proud of Diane and I just want it to work for her," she states with evident emotion. The two actresses first met on the set of the Sky sitcom 'Rovers', prior to Morgan's rise to fame with 'Philomena Cunk' and 'Motherland'. They maintained their connection, a rarity for Johnston. "Which you don't with everyone. We're both silly about our dogs; we just made a connection."

Reuniting with Morgan was a source of great joy for Johnston. She observes, "There's a lot about Diane that reminds me of Caroline Aherne. They’ve got that northern, straight-face, cut-through humour. And they’re geniuses."

Sue Johnston on Fame, Loneliness, and Her New Robot Pal

Having previously been a staple in soap operas, a member of the Royle family, and even portraying a zombie pensioner, Sue Johnston is now taking on a new role in 'Ann Droid'. This madcap comedy, conceived by Diane Morgan, centers on an elderly woman and her cybernetic companion.

Johnston, an actress who usually dislikes watching herself on screen, made a notable exception for 'Ann Droid'. In this fresh sitcom, developed by Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall, the 82-year-old plays a woman who has recently become a widow. Her son, after moving away, hires a humanoid robot named Linda (played with an uncanny charm by Morgan) to aid her. The initial outcomes are comically chaotic; Linda is an older, and thus more affordable, model. Lacking the advanced intelligence of newer robots, she attempts to boost spirits by playing "Cotton Eye Joe" at people. Nevertheless, the pair soon develop an unshakeable bond.

Johnston characterizes the show as "rich with humour and love." Upon rewatching it, she found it so captivating that "I forgot it was me – I very rarely do that and I just enjoyed it."

'Ann Droid' is deserving of praise in its own right – it is boisterously funny and remarkably poignant. However, it's evident that Johnston's excitement also originates from another source. "I'm proud of Diane and I just want it to work for her," she says with deep feeling. The two met on the set of the Sky sitcom 'Rovers', before Morgan achieved widespread recognition with 'Philomena Cunk' and 'Motherland', and they have remained in touch. "Which you don’t with everyone. We’re both silly about our dogs; we just made a connection." She expressed her delight at their reunion. "There’s a lot about Diane that reminds me of Caroline Aherne. They’ve got that northern, straight-face, cut-through humour. And they’re geniuses."

English Translation:

Sue Johnston: Fame, Loneliness, and Her New Robot Pal

She has been a soap icon, a member of the Royle family, and even a zombie pensioner. Now, the actress is starring in 'Ann Droid', Diane Morgan’s madcap comedy about an elderly woman and her cybernetic companion.

Sue Johnston is the type of actor who typically cannot stand seeing herself on screen, but for 'Ann Droid', she made an exception. The new sitcom, by Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall, features the 82-year-old as a recent widow whose son hires a humanoid robot named Linda (played with delightful uncanniness by Morgan herself) to assist her after he moves out. The results are initially farcical: Linda is an outdated – and therefore relatively cheap – model who lacks the intelligence of newer variants and attempts to cheer people up by blasting "Cotton Eye Joe" at them. Yet, the pair soon become inseparable.

Johnston describes the show as "rich with humour and love." When she watched it back, she found it so absorbing that "I forgot it was me – I very rarely do that and I just enjoyed it."

'Ann Droid' is worth raving about on its own terms – it’s rambunctiously funny and exceptionally poignant – but it is clear Johnston’s enthusiasm stems from somewhere else too. "I’m proud of Diane and I just want it to work for her," she says with feeling. The pair met on the set of the Sky sitcom 'Rovers' before Morgan made it big with 'Philomena Cunk' and 'Motherland' and kept in touch. "Which you don’t with everyone. We’re both silly about our dogs; we just made a connection." She was thrilled to reunite. "There’s a lot about Diane that reminds me of Caroline Aherne. They’ve got that northern, straight-face, cut-through humour. And they’re geniuses."