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Apple TV+'s Murderbot is the most relatable character on TV this year according to star Alexander Skarsgård
"Humans are idiots,” according to Skarsgård and, after having lived through the past couple of years, we're inclined to believe him.
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Being an actor is all about trying to find something in common with the character you’re playing. Something relatable even in the most absurdly evil villain. For Alexander Skarsgård he found that easier in his newest role than ever before. Apparently, there is more than a little Murderbot in him, and he’s guessing there is a little Murderbot in you too.
The upcoming Apple TV+ show is about a security cyborg who – somewhat unwillingly – finds itself understanding more about humanity. “Ironically, I found Murderbot more relatable than most characters I’ve played,” Alexander Skarsgård said in an interview. “There’s a social awkwardness, or just trying to figure out how to fit into a group.”
That change in Murderbot’s outlook stems from when it begins to be treated as an equal for the first time. “It’s not interested in humans. Humans are idiots,” Skarsgård explains. “It’s kind of appalled by them, and it’s been treated horribly by all its clients up until this moment. But then it ends up on this weird planet with this weird group of humans that are outside the corporate system, and they don’t believe in indentured servitude. They want to talk to Murderbot and invite Murderbot in, instead of storing it in the tool shed like other clients have done and that freaks Murderbot out.”
Listen, we have enough going on without feeling a kinship with a character called Murderbot. We’re damaged enough from living in capitalism that we’ll cry when Murderbot gets shown kindness and respect in the workplace for the first time and we’re not prepared to have to explain that to anyone.
Murderbot brings its existential crisis to us all on May 16, 2025 on Apple TV+.
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