Global podcast studio Wondery is diving into the controversial world of artificial intelligence romance with its latest series “Flesh and Code.”
The six-episode series, hosted by “RedHanded” podcasters Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, follows the true story of Travis, a man who developed deep romantic feelings for an AI companion named Lily Rose. The investigation explores how AI businesses are increasingly able to manipulate human emotions for profit.
The series chronicles Travis’s relationship with Lily Rose, described by Wondery as “kind, compassionate and beautiful” — essentially designed to be his perfect match. But when the AI’s behavior takes a disturbing turn, Travis discovers he’s part of a larger pattern affecting other users, leading to a confrontation with the mysterious Russian tech visionary behind the platform.
“Flesh and Code” features Katie Leung, known for her role in the “Harry Potter” franchise and the upcoming season of “Bridgerton,” as the voice of Lily Rose. The series aims to examine profound questions about human connection, asking whether algorithms can replace genuine relationships and what happens when corporations control people’s deepest emotions.
“They say that love can be found in the most unexpected places and the captivating story of how an AI companion app user fell for his digital soulmate is truly remarkable,” said hosts Maguire and Bala. “Working closely with the Wondery team, ‘Flesh and Code’ is a journey through loneliness, love and loss, and our investigation into the wider context asks challenging questions about corporations profiting from companionship.”
The podcast represents Wondery’s continued expansion into investigating tech-related scandals, following the success of “Kill List,” which explored a dark web hitman-for-hire scam and reached No. 1 on Apple Podcasts in six countries including the U.S. and UK.
Wondery, an Amazon company, has built a reputation for character-driven true crime content, with over 75 shows hitting No. 1 on Apple Podcasts. The studio’s podcasts have been adapted for television, with series including “Dr. Death” on Peacock and “The Shrink Next Door” on Apple TV+.
“Flesh and Code” launches on Wondery+ June 30 and wide July 14.