HBO’s Westworld sci fiction TV thriller premieres in Australia on Foxtel on Monday

THE hotly anticipated science fiction thriller TV series Westworld, based on the 1973 film, premieres on Monday. Let the future of sin begin.

WESTWORLD is a hedonist’s dream come true.

Behind the facade of the Wild Wild West lies a futuristic R-rated theme park in which human guests play out their fantasies and interact with sentient robots who function as the park’s hosts. Human behaviour, no matter how reprehensible, predatory or violent, is not only permitted but acceptable.

The series, based on the late Michael Crichton’s 1973 film of the same name, paints a bleak future for humanity.

“The show presents humanity as it is. It’s about transparency and it shines a focus on the depraved things that people are addicted to and what people will do if they can get away with it,” says Thandie Newton, who plays Maeve Millay, a no-nonsense madam in the town brothel.

“And yes, it’s bleak and it’s real. There is murder and there is racism and that also reflects real life.”

And with technology forging ahead, like in the show we may see robots replacing humans in the workforce before we know it.

“Oh my goodness. I would not be comfortable purchasing an android as a housekeeper,” says Newton.

“No way. We need to keep human beings employed.”

Thandie Newton stars as Maeve Millay in the new J.J. Abrams’ executive produced TV drama series Westworld. Picture: Foxtel

WESTWORLD EXTRAS SIGN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTRACTS

Westworld was created by showrunners Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan and is executive produced by J.J. Abrams for HBO.

Along with Newton, Westworld’s impressive cast includes Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Ed Harris, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jeffrey Wright.

Wood plays Dolores Abernathy, the wholesome girl-next-door archetype in this hostile world.

Evan Rachel Wood plays Dolores Abernathy, who discovers her entire life is an elaborately constructed lie. Picture: Foxtel

However Wood views technology and all things futuristic in a more positive light than her co-star.

“The idea of androids was terrifying to me at first, but the more I learned about it the more comforted I was,” she says.

“We’re not far away from this kind of world and we are merging with technology whether we like it or not. Imagine all the petty problems that will get snagged in a minute? A lot of what the show is exploring is about the evolution of humans, and it asks, ‘Are we as human beings on the way out?’ But even with all of that, I am absolutely pro artificial intelligence.”

This futuristic western thriller offers many twists in the storyline and unpredictable plot lines. “What’s cool about the show is that your loyalties will shift,” says Wood.

“You really don’t know who’s good or who’s bad most the time; sometimes you’re rooting for the hosts and sometimes the guests.”

Sir Anthony Hopkins plays Dr Robert Ford, the creative director of Westworld, with Jeffrey Wright as Bernard Lowe, head of the programming division (the creator of articifical people). Picture: Supplied

And despite having played a diverse range of characters in films including Mildred Pierce, Thirteen, The Wrestler and more, Wood says that hands down this is her favourite role to date.

“When we wrapped the first season, I ran up to (executive producer) Lisa Joy and wept,” she recalls.

“I hugged her and said, ‘Thank you for allowing me to that play this role.’ I know what Dolores has done for me, so I know what she’s going to do for other people and, in particular, for women. Dolores changed me. I am a different person having had this experience. I feel like a woman now.”

WESTWORLD, showcase, 12pm and 8.30pm Monday