Westworld: HBO's next big drama series looks perfect fodder for sci-fi fans

Based on the 1973 film of the same name, the sci-fi western follows an inventor who runs an adult theme park full of lifelike robots

Anthony Hopkins in Westworld (HBO)

HBO has given viewers a first look at its next major series Westworld, a western meets sci-fi dystopia where robots are seemingly unaware of their AI status.

The drama is described as “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin”, based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 movie of the same name, and stars Anthony Hopkins in his first regular TV series role.

If a Hollywood name being lured into another big budget TV project didn’t bode well enough for the HBO show (think House of Cards and Fargo), the series hails from JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions - which can only mean good things for sci-fi fans.

Hopkins will play Dr Robert Ford, an inventor who runs an adult theme park populated by lifelike robots that recreate periods of history for the amusement of adult guests.

The android have the ability to be killed off and return as different personas (according to The Hollywood Reporter), allowing a host of actors to play many characters.

The cast so far includes Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, James Marsden, Jeffrey Wright, Miranda Otto, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Angela Sarafyan and Simon Quarterman.

Westworld will debut on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK in 2016.