The Murderbot Diaries books from Martha Wells are being made into a 10-episode Apple TV+ series with Alexander Skarsgård, Apple announced. The series, based on Wells’ award-winning books, follows a self-aware “SecUnit” robot that must hide its free will to complete a dangerous assignment. It comes from creators Chris and Paul Weitz, known for About a Boy.
Apple describes Murderbot as an action-packed sci-fi series about a self-hacking security android horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable ‘clients’. The series explores Murderbot’s struggle to hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment while longing to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.
The Weitz brothers will write, direct, and produce the series, with Skarsgård serving as executive producer. Apple TV+ also offers other sci-fi series like Silo, For All Mankind, and Invasion. The streaming service has increased its prices and is seeking engaging content while avoiding controversial topics following the cancellation of The Problem with Jon Stewart.
Engadget has featured several Murderbot chapters in its gift guides and recommended reading lists, praising the novella Fugitive Telemetry for its “space intrigue and robotic mysteries”. The earlier novella series was also recommended in their 2019 holiday guide. This article contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase through one, we may earn a commission.
