Almost Human, premiering Nov. 17 and 18 on Fox, is set 35 years in the future, when LAPD cops are partnered with robots. This doesn’t sit well with Detective John Kennex (Karl Urban), who is returning to the force with some synthetic body parts after being injured and who is ordered to ride with Dorian, an android that has unusually human feelings and reactions (Michael Ealy).

Parade contributor Jason Lynch talked to the New Zealand-born actor, 41, about his new role.

What appealed to you about this series?

[Executive producers] J.J. Abrams, who is incredibly good at putting smart ensembles together, and J.H. Wyman. I was a fan of Fringe and thought [Wyman] was an extraordinarily fresh, inventive writer. And I felt that the role of Kennex was wonderful, fertile ground. I like the fact that he’s damaged goods and really shouldn’t be back at work.

How did Abrams get you on board?

He said, “If you accept this, I will rename Star Trek Into Darkness [and make it] Star Trek: Bones Saves the Galaxy.” [Urban plays Bones in Abrams’s Star Trek films.] I upheld my end of the bargain, so the ball’s in J.J.’s court for the third film!

What will the crimes in Almost Human be like?

It’s important to us that the cases Kennex and Dorian work on not be cases you could find on any other crime show. The best ones will provoke the audience into examining a central moral dilemma, and that almost always comes back to what it means to be human. Looking down the road, we could explore themes like androids’ rights.

Did working on the Star Trek films make you more interested in sci-fi?

I don’t really view Almost Human as science fiction. It is slightly futuristic, but the technologies showcased have been researched. They are coming! This reality is just around the corner from where we are now.

Do you like doing a buddy cop show?

Totally. When I was growing up, there were shows like CHiPs and Simon & Simon, and movies like Lethal Weapon and 48 Hrs. Another movie we’re really inspired by is Midnight Run. We like the fact that there’s a lot of friction between these characters. They get under each other’s skin, but ultimately they are there for each other. All the special effects and technology don’t mean a thing if you don’t get the character component right.

How is it working with Michael Ealy?

He’s an incredibly talented actor and we have a fantastic time working together. We laugh a lot and work hard. He plays the android but in many ways Dorian is more human than I am, because Kennex has been through a rough time. Kennex is hardened and cynical. He also has a wry sense of humor, which is great.