BBC renews 'Ann Droid' for second season after 7.6 million viewers tune in

The BBC has ordered a second season of Ann Droid, the Diane Morgan comedy about a grieving widow and her second-hand care robot, after the first run became one of the broadcaster's biggest hits of the year. The renewal was confirmed on Thursday morning at the Edinburgh TV Festival, with Morgan and co-star Sue Johnston set to return for six more episodes. The first series launched with 7.6 million viewers in its first week, a figure that has since risen to 8.1 million, according to HuffPost UK.

Morgan, who created and co-wrote the series with Sarah Kendall, said in a statement: "The response to Ann Droid has been so incredible. We're all totally blown away. I'm really looking forward to not blinking, needing physio and hearing Cotton Eyed Joe on repeat." Johnston added: "I am so unbelievably happy that we are to do another series! Great script, great cast, great crew. The reaction from the public has been wonderful. Even my doctor called me Sue, Sue, Sue this morning! Everyone has been asking if there will be more and now we can tell them! Yippee." The show stars Johnston as Sue, a widow whose son Michael, played by Paul Ready, buys her an outdated care robot named Linda, played by Morgan.

It also featured appearances from Kathryn Hunter, Margot Leicester and Paul Ready. Emma Lawson, Interim Director of BBC Comedy, said: "We're delighted to be bringing Ann Droid back for a second series. Diane and Sarah have created such a warm, relatable, and uniquely funny comedy that audiences in their millions have fallen in love with." Radio Times reported that the first episode pulled in 4 million viewers over its first week, including 1.9 million live viewers on BBC One, and that a second season was already in development at production company Boffola Pictures.

The BBC had declined to comment at the time. The second season will consist of six 30-minute episodes, produced by Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries. Shane Allen, executive producer for Boffola Pictures, said: "We marvel at our BBC robot overlords and their impeccable decision making. Diane and Sue are comedy dynamite, fronting a superb cast. We're all overwhelmed by how much the audience has taken the show to their hearts. As a warning to critics and begrudgers, any backlash against series 2 will be met by Linda's inbuilt tasers."

The renewal follows weeks of speculation after the show's strong ratings and critical reception.