The essential episodes of Humans
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Humans — each pick states its reason.
- 01
A couple buy a synthetic human, or `synth' to help around the house, but the new arrival threatens to expose their secrets. A retired engineer's paternal relationship with his own synth is threatened by a malfunction, an android and his owner go on the run, and a detective grows suspicious of his wife's close bond with her synth.
- 02
George's worst fears are realised when he is assigned a new Synth whom he cannot stand. Laura feels threatened by Anita's presence in her home, and Fred is held captive in Hobb's facility, which leads him to fear for the future of the human race. Karen and Pete have to hunt down Nisha after she escapes from the brothel, while Leo's search for information leads him down a dangerous path.
- 03
With the Synths in captivity, the devastated Hawkins' realise how much Mia and her family mean to them and are determined to help them
- 04
Niska is living as a fugitive in Berlin, while the other Synths are laying low in the UK.
- 05
Laura must decide whether to accept Niska's request, while Karen and Pete learn about a special Synth being sold for unprecedented amounts on the black market. Hester uses questionable means to gain information from her prisoner, and Leo faces a new mission. Mia takes a risk to help Ed but is her secret now in jeopardy?
- 06
Mia and Ed get closer but their relationship is thrown into jeopardy when their secret is discovered. Toby gets closer to Renie but offends her when he breaks through her synthie mask. Things look bleak for Niska until Laura brings in a surprise witness. When Milo confronts Athena about her secret agenda, she persuades him her research could be mutually beneficial. Karen and Pete delve deeper into the mysterious 'seraphim' investigation. As Hester's influence over Leo becomes clear, cracks appear between him and Max.
- 07
When Mia risks falling into the hands of a mysterious organisation, she is forced to take drastic action. Odi struggles to find meaning, while Sophie is awestruck by Renie's 'Synthie' lifestyle. As Pete recovers from his assault, Karen makes an admission that rocks their relationship. Hester and Leo stake out the Silo and track down the sniper who killed Ten. Hester agrees to deal with her peacefully, but can she be trusted? Mattie leaves home to reconnect with Leo.
- 08
Athena challenges Milo's ethics and is shocked when he reveals his real plan. Mia's surprise return has ramifications for the Hawkins family. Mattie finds Leo but can she trust him with her secret? Max resolves to begin a new community of Synths; when he learns how far Leo is prepared to go to complete his mission, he takes matters into his own hands.
- 09
When Mattie reveals that the Synths are planning to break into the Silo, Laura is determined to find Niska and ask for her help. Mattie asks Max to help save Leo from Hester's influence. Toby receives a disturbing message from Renie. Karen seeks out Athena's expertise and makes a life-altering decision. Mia and Hester break into the Silo, but things don't go according to plan.
- 10
In the aftermath of the Silo tragedy Karen feels she and Sam have no future and takes matters into her own hands. Niska and Astrid prepare to return to Berlin, but can Niska really walk away from her family? Joe leaves Laura shell-shocked with a frank admission. Hester seeks revenge and will stop at nothing to hurt Leo.
- 11
As Leo struggles to come to terms with being human, Mattie takes him back to the Hawkins' home, where a surprise night out allows them to confront their feelings for each other. Laura is determined to uncover the truth about the too-secret Operation Basswood and tries to enlist Dr Neil Sommer's help, only for things to take an unexpected turn. Joe reluctantly decides to help Karen with Sam, and Niska receives a mysterious message.
- 12
While Sam reels from the events of Waltringham and Joe struggles to help him through it, truths are revealed and dangerous plans put into action at the Railyard.
- 13
Stanley and Anatole's true colours put Laura and her family directly in harm's way. With Mia speaking at the commission, Laura must do everything in her power to stop an awful attack. Leo and Mattie return to the Elster house where Leo comes to understand a painful truth, but Mattie has a secret that could knock their fledging relationship off course. Niska continues her mysterious journey that takes her to Wales, where she must defy all her instincts to survive.
- 14
Max must confront a friend turned foe. Laura reels from her heartbreaking decision, but when Mattie reveals her secret, she is spurred back into action. Niska's journey takes an unexpected turn, while Leo races to be by Max's side, but walks into danger.
- 15
Laura is in a race against time to stop Basswood. Her reputation is already on the line - but is she willing to give up her family and her freedom to save the Synths? Meanwhile, it looks as if Niska has reached her journey's end, while Mia, Leo and Max stand together in final battle, with seemingly little hope of making it out alive. And when the world learns of the atrocities that are taking place, will the fate of Synths change for ever?
Shows like Humans
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Black Mirror2011–present
Over the last ten years, technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives before we've had time to stop and question it. - 02Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of 3 Body Problem2024–presentAcross continents and decades, five brilliant friends make earth-shattering discoveries as the laws of science unravel and an existential threat emerges.
- 03Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Star City2026–present
Star City is a propulsive, paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race — when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. - 04Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Pluribus2025–presentThe most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.
- 05Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Under the Dome2013–2015·CBS
Under the Dome is the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. - 06Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of The Leftovers2014–2017
Three years after millions of people—some 2% of the world's population—vanished into thin air, residents of Mapleton, NY weigh the pros and cons of a "Heroes Day" tribute to the local "Departed".
