Murderbot
Murderbot
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Murderbot

"Built to destroy. Forced to connect."

7.3
Yr 2025
Status Returning Series
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

In a high-tech future, a rogue security robot secretly gains free will. To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet... even though it just wants to binge soap operas.

Status

Latest

  • Steve Buscemi, Wanda Sykes and 23 more join season 2 — August 19, 2026 (avclub.com)
Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 72 /100

Murderbot garnered a generally positive, albeit somewhat divided, critical reception upon release. Many reviewers embraced the adaptation's offbeat blend of deadpan comedy and existential sci-fi, highlighting Alexander Skarsgård's engaging performance as a lethal security android torn between discovering free will and binge-watching melodramatic serials. Outlets praising the show commended its faithful translation of Martha Wells' source material and its surprisingly heartfelt examination of autonomy, loneliness, and human connection.

At the same time, a notable segment of critics felt the adaptation stumbled in execution. Common criticisms centered around an uneven comedic tone, sluggish pacing, and a relatively flimsy overarching plot that occasionally failed to match the sharp wit of its central character. While some reviewers concluded the series fell short of its high-concept potential, the majority found its distinctive charm and playful cynicism made for a rewarding watch.

“This sci-fi show is the best new comedy of 2025”

“Murderbot faithfully adapts its source material into a surprisingly warm story about choosing to make connections.”

“a flimsy plot and uneven pacing may fail to keep viewers tuned in”

“While this was a ridiculous romp of a show, beneath that exterior lies a fascinating character piece about identity, free will, and community.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Apple TV
UK • US • CA
Apple TV Amazon Channel
UK • CA • US
Why fans love it

The premise centers on a self-aware security droid grappling with the tension between its assigned role as a protector and its internal desire for autonomy. Alexander Skarsgård anchors this dramedy by balancing the cold, observational nature of an android with the unexpected humor of a character desperate to escape its duties in favor of watching soap operas on its internal display.

This tone distinguishes the show from standard tech-heavy thrillers. By prioritizing the internal monologue of a machine that finds human interaction clumsy and pointless, the series offers a distinct take on the near-future genre. It functions as a comedy about corporate bureaucracy as much as a story about free will, grounded by the constant threat of lethal environments that require the protagonist to actually perform the surveillance work it clearly abhors.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 49
Regulars 11
Longest run 4 eps
Show 41 more
Clark Gregg as Lieutenant 3 episodes Jack McBrayer as Navigation Officer 3 episodes DeWanda Wise as Navigation Unit 4 episodes Josh Cruddas as Venenek 1 episode Sochi Fried as Valen (Company Suit #1) 2 episodes Julie Mahendran as Mining Station Miner #2 1 episode Andrew Moodie as Company Suit #3 2 episodes Maroc Rey as Sepp 1 episode Devin Ross as Aster (Company Suit #2) 2 episodes Aaron Walpole as Mining Station Miner #1 1 episode Brandon Zakkai as Mining Station Miner #3 2 episodes Alex Cruz as SM - Alderman Friess 1 episode Chantria Tram as SM - Rescue Worker 1 episode Ron Kennell as SM - Colony Solicitor 2 episodes Leah Kilpatrick as Iverson Missouri 1 episode Alicia Rosario as SG - Haptic Rigby 1 episode Albert Chung as Lab Tech #2 1 episode Krista Jang as Programmer #2 1 episode Liz Johnston as Lab Tech #1 1 episode Jai Jai Jones as Arms Supervisor 1 episode Jameson Kraemer as Supervisor 1 episode Durae McFarlane as Worker 1 episode Anna Konkle as Leebeebee 2 episodes Amanda Brugel as Rita 2 episodes Christopher Cordell as GrayCris Worker 1 episode David Reale as GrayCris Yellow 1 episode Afton Rentz as GrayCris Green 1 episode Gurdeep Ahluwalia as Another Reporter 1 episode Jim Armstrong as Technician 1 episode Stephanie Belding as Company Rep 1 episode Shane Daly as Officer 1 episode Sergio Di Zio as Landers 1 episode Nneka Elliott as Press Conference Reporter / Reporter 1 episode Colin Glazer as Engineer 1 episode Kenzie Heaven Grist as Press Conference Reporter #2 1 episode Taj Levey as Landers Kid 1 episode Naomi Ngebulana as Third Reporter 1 episode Neil Whitely as Company Lawyer (Vinland Kemben) 1 episode Daniel Woodrow as Acid Tech 1 episode Negin Kamali as Spaceship Twodor Crew (uncredited) 1 episode DL MacDonald as GrayCris Red 1 episode
Production Board

Crew

Art Direction
Scoring Mixer
Set Decoration
Director of Photography
Co-Executive Producer
Editor
Steadicam Operator
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Foley Mixer
Makeup Artist
Dialogue Editor
Supervising Sound Editor
Production Design
Assistant Camera
Creator
"B" Camera Operator
Sound Effects Editor
Digital Imaging Technician
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Murderbot overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

android based on novel or book free will security hopeless dramedy near future comedy thriller
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
May 15, 2025
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
541