In the vast landscape of television, some shows are destined for greatness but get cut down before they can truly shine. Fox has a notorious history of canceling promising sci-fi series after just one season, from Firefly to Space: Above and Beyond. Among these casualties is Almost Human, a 13-episode cyberpunk procedural that deserved a much longer run.
Set in 2048, Almost Human stars Karl Urban as Detective John Kennex, a cop who is forced to partner with an android after a traumatic incident costs him his leg and his partner. The show's premise is a perfect fusion of Blade Runner's existential questions and RoboCop's gritty action, creating a world where technology has advanced to the point of being both a blessing and a curse.
A Buddy Cop Dynamic for the Ages
What truly sets Almost Human apart is the chemistry between Urban and Michael Ealy, who plays Dorian, an early-model android with the ability to feel human emotion. Their dynamic is classic buddy cop: Kennex is the rule-bender, while Dorian is the by-the-book partner who isn't above finding loopholes. Over the course of the series, their witty rapport evolves into a genuine friendship, with Kennex learning to see Dorian as more than just a machine.
Urban, long before his iconic turn as Billy Butcher in The Boys, proved his roguish charm could carry a series. Ealy brings a subtle warmth to Dorian, making the android's quest for humanity deeply compelling.
A World of Intriguing Sci-Fi Concepts
The show also excels in world-building, introducing concepts like self-targeting bullets, clone-based murder mysteries, and "chromes"—genetically enhanced humans. One standout episode, "Simon Says," features a cybercriminal who straps bombs to victims and livestreams their deaths, a chilling commentary on the lengths people will go for fame. The episode also boasts a memorable guest appearance by David Dastmalchian.
Despite its strengths, Almost Human was doomed from the start. Fox aired episodes out of order, preempted it for events like the Olympics, and ultimately canceled it after one season, leaving many plotlines unresolved. The show had all the ingredients for success: showrunner J.H. Wyman, known for Fringe, and producer J.J. Abrams, fresh off the Star Trek reboot. The cast, including Minka Kelly and Michael Irby, was top-notch.
Wyman later reflected on the show's spirit, saying, "It's easy to be cynical. Anybody can be cynical. But it's a special few who work hard enough to maintain hope." That hope is what fueled Almost Human, and it's a quality that television could use more of. While the series was unfairly cut down, it remains a gem worth discovering, especially for fans of forgotten sci-fi gems.
If you're looking for a show that combines thrilling action with thought-provoking themes, Almost Human is a must-watch. It's a testament to what could have been, and a reminder that sometimes the best stories are the ones that end too soon.
