Chris and Paul Weitz, known for their work on About A Boy and American Pie, are introducing a new Apple TV+ sci-fi comedy centered around the future of androids titled Murderbot. Based on The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, the series features Alexander Skarsgård in the lead role, adding to his repertoire of cold and ruthless characters. However, this particular Murderbot is distinct; it is an android that finds little appeal in its job of murder and spends its time procrastinating. Skarsgård shared with Vanity Fair that the character is baffled by human beings, not out of contempt, but simply due to a lack of interest. It is a robot that desires to distance itself from people.
This theme is reminiscent of Skarsgård’s previous role as the vampire Eric Northman in HBO’s True Blood. Both characters, according to Skarsgård, observe humanity from a distant perspective. He recently reprised his role as Eric in a cameo for the final season of What We Do in the Shadows, playing on the juxtaposition of his charismatic vampire past. As Skarsgård explained, Eric, though formerly human, views people as trivial, whereas Murderbot, having organic components, maintains a slighter connection and comprehension, sharing a similar outsider’s perspective.
However, Skarsgård notes a fundamental difference between the characters: Eric delights in mischief and chaos, whereas Murderbot seeks to remain unnoticed, preferring solitude and the escapism of television.
Murderbot is slated to premiere on Apple TV+ on May 16.
