Murderbot trailer: Alexander Skarsgård headlines Apple TV+ series

Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgård stars as a rogue security robot in the trailer for Murderbot, a new sci-fi series on Apple TV+.

Skarsgård portrays Murderbot, a Security (SEC) Unit that has hacked its programming to give itself free will. Despite this newfound independence, Murderbot must keep its secret from humans. “I can do whatever I want as long as they don’t find out,” remarks Murderbot in the trailer.

While on a mission on a perilous planet, a group of scientists uncovers Murderbot’s hidden agenda, disrupting its main hobby: watching futuristic soap operas. Now, Murderbot must confront its fears by grappling with human emotions.

In addition to Skarsgård, Murderbot features Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, and Tamara Podemski.

Chris and Paul Weitz are the creators, writers, directors, and producers of Murderbot for Apple TV+. The Weitz brothers earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for 2002’s About a Boy. Murderbot is based on Martha Wells’ award-winning sci-fi novel series The Murderbot Diaries, with Wells serving as a consulting producer. David S. Goyer is an executive producer along with Andrew Miano and Keith Levine.

Murderbot is the newest addition to Apple TV+’s growing collection of sci-fi series. The streamer’s flagship sci-fi show, Severance, just concluded its highly praised second season. Other sci-fi series on Apple TV+ include Foundation, Silo, For All Mankind, Dark Matter, and Invasion.

Murderbot comprises 10 episodes, with the first two premiering on Apple TV+ on Friday, May 16, 2025. Subsequent episodes will air every Friday until July 11.