TV’s Most Relatable Robot: A Cyborg Who Just Wants to Chill
Imagine a deadly security robot that would rather watch TV than fight. That's the wild, winning premise of Apple TV+’s upcoming series Murderbot, where Alexander Skarsgård brings the title character—a cyborg with free will and a taste for binge-watching—completely to life. How often do you see a machine risk detection just to squeeze in another episode?
Loosely adapted from Martha Wells' much-loved The Murderbot Diaries, this show takes the classic artificial intelligence trope and flips it on its head. Murderbot isn't yearning for revenge or domination; instead, it's trying to keep a low profile, hide that it can feel, and, most importantly, catch up on a fictional soap opera called The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. It's a bit like if Robocop called off patrol to tune in to a daytime drama.
The action kicks off on a hazardous alien planet, where Murderbot is assigned to protect a team of scientists. Here’s where the series gets interesting: yes, there are lasers and life-or-death situations, but the real fight is inside Murderbot’s head as it juggles actual danger and the emotional pull of its favorite shows. Skarsgård nails the role, using deadpan humor and unexpected vulnerability. His performance isn’t about flashy speeches or dramatic breakdowns—it’s more about those tiny expressions and the hesitation in his voice, making the robot weirdly endearing and weirdly human.
The cast surrounding Murderbot is packed with talent. Noma Dumezweni—always magnetic—plays Mensah, the level-headed leader running the scientific mission. David Dastmalchian steps in as Gurathin, bringing a skeptical edge. Sabrina Wu and Akshay Khanna round out the key members of the research crew. Guest shots by Clark Gregg and John Cho keep viewers guessing, adding both star power and surprise as the story unfolds.
A New Take on AI, Comedy, and the Binge Culture
If you’re tired of robot stories that take themselves too seriously, you’re in for a treat. Murderbot taps into something super current: the drive to escape real life through TV. For Murderbot, television isn’t just a distraction. It’s an anchor—something that makes the unpredictable, dangerous universe make a little sense. That’s where the show gets its edge, weaving slapstick and smart comedy with big, existential questions about freedom, connection, and finding your own path (even if you’re made of metal).
The show was shot in Toronto, and the production doesn’t skimp on sci-fi spectacle—alien landscapes look gritty, not cartoonish, and action scenes pack a punch. But what really sets it apart is how the spectacle never overshadows the personal stakes or the witty script. The series makes the most of its source material, but stands on its own thanks to a self-aware sense of humor that’s rare for the genre.
People watching early screeners say it’s a must-watch for anyone who likes their sci-fi with a twist (and doesn’t mind a robot who scores as many laughs as action scenes). But you might have to be patient—Apple TV+ is spreading out the release with weekly episodes, a move that’s left some fans itching to binge all at once. Even so, early praise points to bold choices, especially the meta twist involving the in-universe soap opera, which captures Murderbot’s unique inner world and wraps the show’s emotional layers in something surprisingly fun.
