What is Devs about? (Credit: BBC)
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Alex Garland’s new sci-fi ‘Devs’ premieres on BBC Two with unanswered questions

Alex Garland has discussed the terrifying concept behind his latest TV series

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Alex Garland’s disturbing new sci-fi is guaranteed to leave some fans wondering what Devs is about.

The author’s latest TV series will air its penultimate episode on BBC Two tonight (May 6) but a lot of questions will undoubtedly need answering.

With that in mind, we decided a little breakdown may be of some use.

Here’s everything you need to know…

What is Devs about? (Credit: BBC)
Devs premieres on BBC Two tonight (Credit: BBC)

What is Devs about?

Set in San Francisco, Devs centres around a computer engineer called Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno).

The computer guru works at prestigious tech company Amaya with her boyfriend Sergei (Karl Glusman) – albeit, in different departments.

READ MORE: Devs ending explained by writer Alex Garland and Lily actress Sonoya Mizuno

Following an impressive presentation, the company’s CEO Fores (Nick Offerman) invites Sergei to join the firm’s top-secret division, Devs.

It’s a huge honour and he doesn’t think twice about accepting the offer – despite not actually knowing what Devs is.

On his first day, Sergei finally learns what Devs does and it terrifies to the point he is physically sick.

After making a run for it, he’s stopped by Fores, who accuses him of betrayal, and he is killed.

Lily realises something isn’t right when Sergei doesn’t come home that night and sounds the alarm at work.

What is Devs about? (Credit: BBC)
Alex Garland’s disturbing new sci-fi will undoubtedly leave viewers scratching their heads (Credit: BBC)

What happens to Sergei?

When Lily talks to Fores, he covers up what happens.

In a bizarre twist, Amaya then show police footage that appears to show Sergei taking his own life.

As far as the cops are concerned, the case is closed.

But Lily refuses to believe the lies and Devs follows that dangerous cat and mouse game that follows.

Devs (Hulu) Trailer HD - Nick Offerman, Sonoya Mizuno series

What is Devs?

The name of Amaya’s top-secret division would suggest it’s the development department.

But the truth is more complicated than that.

It’s a team dedicated to researching determinism.

Writer Alex explained to British GQ: “The really simple idea of determinism is that nothing ever happens that isn’t the result of cause and effect, because that describes the physical universe.

“Because our brains also live in that physical universe, and are subject to the same laws, it removes free will, basically. And there’s a massive amount of evidence for it.”

Alex admitted that he developed concerns over what really happens at Silicone Valley while working on the show.

“You have tech companies that have the money and power of nation states, but they don’t have any real system of checks and balances placed upon them,” he explained.

Although we’re yet to learn the specifics of what Devs does, we do know that their work was terrifying enough to make Sergei literally sick.

Devs continues on BBC Two at 9pm tonight (May 6.)

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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