Apple TV+'s Hottest Sci-Fi Show of 2025 Debuts This Week – It Already Has 96% on RT
Murderbot is an adaptation of a popular and acclaimed sci-fi book series by Martha Wells. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming series.
Apple TV+ has recently become the premier destination for high-quality sci-fi TV series – Severance, Silo, Dark Matter.
Next up is Murderbot – a show based on the popular book series The Murderbot Diaries by author Martha Wells. The project has already received rave reviews from critics – we tell you what the series will be about and when it will be released.
What Will Murderbot Be About?
In the first season, we will see how a robot with an improved model of artificial intelligence hacks its own program and gains independence.
After hacking itself, the android is no longer interested in following orders, preferring to spend hours consuming media, especially soap operas.
A dangerous conspiracy that threatens humanity makes Murderbot remember his duty to protect the rich and reluctantly intervene in the events. We can expect not only action, but also existential reflections on the topics of identity and free will.
Murderbot Number of Episodes & Release Date
The first season of Murderbot will consist of ten episodes. It is scheduled to premiere on May 16, 2025.
The first two episodes will be released on Apple TV+ on premiere day, with the remaining eight episodes released weekly on Fridays through July 11.
Murderbot Cast & Creators
Alexander Skarsgård, star of Big Little Lies and True Blood, stars as Murderbot. Also starring in the show are David Dastmalchian, Noma Dumezweni, Sabrina Wu, Tattiawna Jones, Akshay Khanna and Tamara Podemski.
The directors and writers are Oscar-nominated Chris and Paul Weitz, who previously produced American Pie and created the drama About a Boy.
The Murderbot Diaries Is a Beloved Sci-Fi Hit by Martha Wells
After reading the first All Systems Red story, the publishers asked Martha Wells to write another. Now there are seven books in the series, which have received a scattering of Locus, Nebula and Hugo awards, and most importantly – the love of readers around the world.
The main reason for the readers' love is Murderbot himself, with his unique character, sardonic humor and slowly developing empathy.
Murderbot is prone to anxiety and depression, it is difficult for him to behave in human society, and it is these feelings and problems that attract readers who are familiar with what he is going through.
What Did Critics Think of Murderbot?
Paste critic Lacy Baugher Milas praised the Apple TV+ show, saying:
“With each episode clocking in at around 25 minutes or so (you truly love to see it!), the ten-episode first season [...] is brisk and propulsive, carefully balancing droll humor, action, and a sprinkling of thoughtful emotion.”
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Murderbot has an almost perfect 96% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
