Apple TV+…oh boy do they have some good news! They’re about to launch a new sci-fi thriller/comedy series, “Murderbot,” based on the award-winning “Murderbot Diaries” novellas by bestselling author Martha Wells. With its richly imaginative worlds and otherworldly yet relatable characters, THE ETERNALS will enthrall viewers with its trademark humor and existential exploration. Its world premiere—all episodes listed above—will be on May 16, 2025!
The titular character of “Murderbot” is a self-hacking security construct that worries about its complicated feelings towards humanity. It’s appalled by fear, sad by anger. A tug that’s no less magnetic soon draws it … especially toward its most vulnerable clients. This creates a captivating and ironic story line. Alexander Skarsgård masterfully fills the titular role of Murderbot, imbuing this complicated character with layers of nuance.
The series will be ten episodes long, with new episodes dropping weekly each Friday through July 11, 2025. The adaptation will feature contributions from several notable actors, including Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, and Tamara Podemski.
Martha Wells, whose “Murderbot Diaries” has earned both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, will serve as a consulting producer for the series. The Weitz brothers, who are known for their work in film and television, will write, direct, and produce “Murderbot” under their Depth of Field banner. Joining as an executive producer is Andrew Miano, who hails from Depth of Field with that team. David S. Goyer and Keith Levine will executive produce for Phantom Four.
In talking about his role as Murderbot, Skarsgård opened up about how he related to the character on a deeper, more personal level.
“Ironically, I found Murderbot more relatable than most characters I’ve ever played.” – Alexander Skarsgård
He called out the character’s socially awkward tendencies. He made an interesting point about the discomfort that Murderbot experiences in trying to figure out how it wants to interact with humans.
“There’s a social awkwardness, or just trying to figure out how to fit into a group.” – Alexander Skarsgård
Skarsgård was adamant that the character’s intense hatred of humans be clear. He noted that Murderbot has suffered major trauma from the abuse of its human employers.
“It’s not interested in humans, humans are idiots. It’s kind of appalled by them, and it’s been treated horribly by all its clients up until this moment.” – Alexander Skarsgård
The enthusiasm for Murderbot just keeps growing, as it offers an exciting new voice within the genre of science fiction. By blending humor with profound thematic elements about human connection and identity, the series aims to resonate with both fans of the original book series and new viewers alike.