Apple TV+ has picked up the 10-episode sci-fi series Murderbot, based on Martha Wells award-winning novel series “The Murderbot Diaries.” Hailing from About a Boy creators Chris and Paul Weitz and Paramount Television Studios, the series will star Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgård as the title character.
Apart from starring in the sci-fi drama, the Big Little Lies actor will also executive produce Murderbot, with the Weitz brothers writing, directing, and producing the series under their Depth of Field banner.
Murderbot had previously received a greenlight a year ago, although casting was delayed due to the Hollywood strikes. Now, with Skarsgård on board to play the titular role — with the author herself serving as the show’s consulting producer — the upcoming series is expected to join Apple TV+’s celebrated sci-fi titles, including Silo, For All Mankind, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Invasion.
Skarsgård, for one, has an impressive television show and film credits under his belt. His previous projects include The Legend of Tarzan, True Blood, Infinity Pool, Melancholia, The Northman, The Aftermath, The Hummingbird Project, Hold the Dark, The Long Shot, The Kill Team, The Stand, and Mute.
What is Murderbot about?
Nothing much has been revealed yet about Murderbot, but the forthcoming series will revolve around a self-hacking security android who is terrified by human emotion. Additional cast members also remain under wraps, but ComingSoon will update as soon as new information becomes available.
The official logline for Murderbot (via Variety) reads as follows: “Murderbot must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.”
