Murderbot
Murderbot
Now Showing

Murderbot

"Built to destroy. Forced to connect."

7.3
Yr 2025
Status Returning Series
Comedy Drama Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Your Verdict
Unrated

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Back
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

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 75 /100

Critics have given Murderbot a generally warm reception, praising its witty blend of sci-fi comedy and existential introspection. Alexander Skarsgård's performance as the titular rogue security android—eager to ignore humanity in favor of binge-watching soap operas—has been highlighted as a major highlight, lending charisma and deadpan humor to the adaptation of Martha Wells' popular book series. Many reviewers commend the show's balance of playfulness and heart, finding a surprisingly sweet exploration of identity and connection underneath its comedic exterior.

However, the reception is not without reservations. Several critics note that the series suffers from uneven pacing and a relatively straightforward or flimsy plot that relies heavily on familiar genre tropes. While some reviews found the storytelling teetering on the edge of greatness without fully realizing its potential, the strong character work and unique premise make it an entertaining romp for both fans of the books and sci-fi comedy enthusiasts.

“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.”

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

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

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
Alexander Skarsgård
Alexander Skarsgård
as Murderbot
Noma Dumezweni
Noma Dumezweni
as Mensah
David Dastmalchian
David Dastmalchian
as Gurathin
Sabrina Wu
Sabrina Wu
as Pin Lee
Akshay Khanna
Akshay Khanna
as Ratthi
Tamara Podemski
Tamara Podemski
as Bharadwaj
Tattiawna Jones
Tattiawna Jones
as Arada
John Cho
John Cho
as Captain
4 episodes
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
Barbara Agbaje Karl Crosby
Scoring Mixer
Alvin Wee
Set Decoration
Rob Hepburn
Director of Photography
Tobias Datum
Costume Design
Carrie Grace Laura Jean Shannon
Co-Executive Producer
Michael Wray Britta Rowings
Editor
Jonathan Corn
Steadicam Operator
Sasha Moric
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Emilie Corpuz Alexandra Fehrman
Director
Aurora Guerrero Paul Weitz
Foley Mixer
Erik Culp
Executive Producer
Keith Levine Alexander Skarsgård Paul Weitz
Makeup Artist
Silvia Platsis
Dialogue Editor
Ève Corrêa-Guedes
Casting
Russell Scott Sherry Thomas
Supervising Sound Editor
Tyler Whitham Danielle McBride
Production Design
Sue Chan
Assistant Camera
Murray Angotti
Creator
Paul Weitz
"B" Camera Operator
Greg Frankovich
Foley Artist
John Elliot
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
520