Channel 4 sci-fi series Humans will not be returning for a fourth series, the show’s creators have said.


Writers Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent released a statement saying that they are “gutted” by the show’s cancellation, but thanked broadcasters Channel 4 and AMC for supporting them for the past 24 episodes.

“Sadly there won’t be a fourth season of Humans,” the writers and executive producers said. “In this age of unprecedented choice and competition, we can have no complaints. Channel 4 and AMC were the perfect partners. They supported the show brilliantly and above all – let us make three seasons!”

Humans first aired on Channel 4 in the UK in 2015, with two further series following in 2016 and 2018.

The story starring Gemma Chan, Colin Morgan and Emily Berrington among others, followed incredibly life-like robots – or ‘synths’ – who work for humans as domestic slaves. However, the balance of power soon tips when a small group of synths appear to gain consciousness.

Channel 4 confirmed that Humans would not be returning to the channel.

“Humans will not be returning for another series,” a Channel 4 spokesperson said. “The show has had three successful series and has been much loved by fans. We are incredibly proud of Humans and the hugely talented creative team, in front of and behind the camera.”

Brackley and Vincent thanked the cast and crew in their statement, saying that they never would have been recommissioned without their work.

The writers also thanked fans of Humans for their support, and said that were sorry that they could not “keep the story going for the people that love it”.

“It means more than anything to see the show resonating with you like it did,” they said. “The worst thing about this is that we can’t keep the story going for the people that love it.”

The writers ended their statement by calling out to anyone who could be able to ‘save’ the show – including tech entrepreneur Elon Musk – to get in touch.

“We know we left some threads hanging. That was the way we always wrote the show,” they said. “Maybe one day we’ll get a chance to pick them back up. If there’s anyone out there with a few million quid and an interest in AI stories, we’re all ears. DM us Elon.”

Humans cancelled: creators’ statement in full

Sadly there won’t be a fourth season of Humans. In this age of unprecedented choice and competition, we can have no complaints. Channel 4 and AMC were the perfect partners. They supported the show brilliantly and above all – let us make three seasons!

We’re gutted of course, but we were so lucky. We got to make the show we wanted to make, for 24 episodes. The Humans cast and crew were and are the best, and we wouldn’t have got a second season without their talent and dedication, let alone a third. We can’t name anyone without naming everyone, and that would mean we’d have to do this in an even smaller font – so here’s to every last actor, director, writer, producer, exec, commissioner, DoP, editor, composer, crew member – and the unfailingly generous Swedish team behind the original version.

The last word has to go to the wonderful Humans fans. Thank you so much for the messages, support, podcasts, bespoke mugs, and for never setting up a petition to make us redo something. It means more than anything to see the show resonating with you like it did. The worst thing about this is that we can’t keep the story going for the people that love it.

We know we left some threads hanging. That was the way we always wrote the show. Maybe one day we’ll get a chance to pick them back up. If there’s anyone out there with a few million quid and an interest in AI stories, we’re all ears. DM us Elon.

Replying to a comment online, co-creator Vincent added that the pair are not currently considering continuing the series as a book or radio series, as they “wouldn’t want to continue the story in any other medium or to any other standard than what you know.”

sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings Mark! Thanks for all your support over the years. Means a lot. As to books/radio plays – right now we wouldn't want to continue the story in any other medium or to any other standard than what you know. But that might change, in future! — Sam Vincent (@smavincent) May 20, 2019


Fans thanked Vincent for the series, praising the “superb show that was fun and entertaining but also clever and though-provoking”.

You two put together such a superb show that was fun and entertaining but also clever and though-provoking. You gave a stunning ensemble cast (especially @letitiawright and @gemma_chan) the chance to shine by giving them complex and compelling characters to play with. Just… pic.twitter.com/kLEDwgKyXP — Amanda (@filmvsbook) May 20, 2019

Sad to hear that there won't be any more #Humans – what a great show it was. Brilliant cast and smart, challenging storytelling. https://t.co/UXnw0EKnCK — Abigail Chandler (@Abby_Chandler) May 20, 2019