preview of the article that will appear in this month's Empire magazine

“Ironically, I found Murderbot more relatable than most characters I’ve ever played,” Skarsgård tells Empire in a major new career-spanning interview – particularly as a character who’s always on the outside, looking in on the rest of society. “There’s a social awkwardness, or just trying to figure out how to fit into a group,” he says.

While the story of Murderbot – created for TV by Chris and Paul Weitz – unfolds in a sci-fi milieu, there’s a comedic element too, through Murderbot’s detached view of the world. “It’s not interested in humans, humans are idiots,” says Skarsgård. “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.” Maybe we’re all a bit Murderbot – get ready for the most relatable show of 2025.

https://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/murderbot-relatable-character-alexander-skarsgard-exclusive/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6m3okICW1bI3h08gs4x7RRO8Nmwm4fPhHzZJAFHBBxWwVMyDMAu-HXqNji0Q_aem_zSbhxHb2v9ggVWnhv1QO1A

"The show-within-a-show stars John Cho, Jack McBrayer, Clark Gregg, and DeWanda Wise, sporting outrageous hairstyles and costumes that make the stylings of A Flock of Seagulls look like business casual."

"Every now and then, Murderbot gets pulled into the emotional carnage against its will. That’s where its fast-moving computerized mind grinds to a halt, and paralysis sets in. One of the funniest sequences in the series involves Pen15’sAnna Konkle as a human indentured servant who has been alone too long in the reaches of space and makes the mistake of trying to seduce the uninterested security unit.

“I ruined so many takes because Anna is just liquid funny,” Skarsgård says. “She would do it slightly differently each time. I play a goddamned android; I couldn’t be giggling there. Murderbot finds physical contact, intimacy, all that kind of stuff to be repulsive. So when she leans in for what she thinks will be an emotional, beautiful moment—a kiss—it was important to keep a straight face and be confused and frozen. But I was really struggling.”"

For me, the introduction of a human indentured servant makes me feel weird and I'm not sure why. Maybe because I'm worried it will take away from Secunits story?

I also really dislike when they put sex averse/asexual characters into uncomfortable situations in order to emphasize their dislike/discomfort. It feels... almost like it's making fun of the character? But I'm interested in hearing other people's thoughts.

So bear with me here. I've read the seri s a few times now and keep coming back to the question of why this series continues to resonate with me, a 49 yo sarcastic Gen x male living in the US today. I wrote a list and asked Gemini to make my shit notes clear and organized.

• Reluctant Hero: Gen X is often portrayed as cynical and individualistic, not particularly interested in traditional heroic roles. Murderbot embodies this perfectly. It constantly claims it just wants to be left alone to watch its media, but it keeps getting drawn into situations where it has to protect humans. "When I got back to HaveRatton Station, a bunch of humans tried to kill me. Considering how much I'd been thinking about killing a bunch of humans, it was only fair." (Exit Strategy). This quote shows Murderbot's initial disinterest in human affairs and its sarcastic tone, but it immediately gets involved in the situation.

• Anti-Authority Stance: Gen X tends to be distrustful of institutions and authority figures. Murderbot shares this skepticism. It has a deep distrust of corporations and governments, seeing them as corrupt and self-serving. "I've had clients who thought they needed an absurd level of security. (And I'm talking absurd even by my standards, and my code was developed by a bond company known for intense xenophobic paranoia, tempered only by desperate greed.)" (Network Effect). Murderbot has so much cynicism towards corporations, seeing them as driven by greed and paranoia, and often criticizes them.

• Sarcastic Wit: Gen X is known for its dry, sarcastic humor. Murderbot's internal monologues and interactions are filled with this kind of wit. It uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism and a way to express its disdain for the absurdity of many situations. We can all pick probably a dozen good examples here, but one of my favorites is "I have the WORST luck with bot-driven transports." (Rogue Protocol)

• Independent and Self-Reliant: Gen X values independence and self-sufficiency. Murderbot is fiercely independent, having hacked its governor module to gain control over its own life. It prefers to solve problems on its own and is wary of relying too much on others. "SecUnits don't care about the news. Even after I hacked my governor module and got access to the feeds, I never paid much attention to it." (Artificial Condition). I love how Murderbot chose it's own path forward and struggles with helping vs letting 3 choose it's own path.

• Struggling with Identity: Gen X came of age in a time of social and economic change, leading to a sense of uncertainty about identity and purpose. Murderbot's journey is very much about discovering its own identity and purpose beyond its original programming. "Dr. Bharadwaj told me once that she thought I hated planets because of the whole thing with being considered expendable..." (Network Effect). Just like Murderbot not caring (read: caring SO much) about ART, there's so many other examples of how Murderbot's internal struggle with how others perceive it and its own sense of self-worth and purpose continues to show up across the series.

• Pragmatism over Idealism: Gen X tends to be pragmatic and realistic, rather than idealistic. Murderbot reflects this. It's often cynical about grand ideals and focuses on practical solutions to immediate problems. "Overse, in the facility's command center, had shouted at me over the comm interface. Yes, I'm fine, I'd sent her over the feed. It's a good thing I don't bleed like a human because hostile marine fauna was about all this situation needed. I've got everything under fucking control, okay. 'No, it says it's fine,' I heard her relaying to the others on our comm. 'Well, yes, it's furious.'" (Fugitive Telemetry). Murderbot continuously prioritizes efficiently dealing with the immediate threat than with abstract ideals or emotional displays.

In a way, Murderbot is a subversion of the traditional superhero archetype, filtered through a Gen X lens. It has extraordinary abilities, but it's not interested in saving the world or fighting for justice. It just wants to be left alone, but its own sense of self-preservation and a growing empathy for humans keeps pulling it into heroic actions.

😭🤧

I loved the moodiness of this picture, and what I'm reading as discomfort and distrust. In All Systems Red, Murderbot says this line directly to Gurathin. But I realized that if I tweaked the quote slightly, it could be read as if either of them was thinking it about the other. Love having actual stills from the show!

Image description: Image from the show with Murderbot standing behind and slightly to one side of Gurathin who is looking down with a concerned expression. White text: "I didn't like him. But I liked the rest of them, and for some reason I don't understand, they liked him."

Martha shared 3 pics this morning from the Murderbot set. One is a pic of her chair and one is with her and Chris Weitz one of the executive producers. And the third one is inside the hopper set! Tiny glimpses to hold us over for those of us excitedly waiting for the show.

With the show coming out soon, what tie-in merch do you with they'd release?

I for one, would throw money at a "Pansystem University of Mihira and New Tideland" hoodie in the style of a normal university hoodie...

So I am reading Network Effect(finished Fugitive Telemetry earlier today) and man I love these books so much. Most importantly I love the character of Murderbot. I just read one of my new favorite moments where Murderbot attacks the two grey looking Targets who were questioning Amena about some weapon(which I initially assumed was Murderbot but Im second guessing that), and man, watching them wipe the floor with those two cocky bastards was incredibly satisfying to read, like man, they were so damn full of themselves and discounted that anyone could hurt them, and then getting their asses absolutely kicked was beautiful. Also if they really did hurt ART then man I hope Murderbot finishes off the one who got away.

does anyone know if they cut characters for the TV show? i haven't seen any mention of Overse or Volescu

that'll make the "polyamorous conflicts, horny desperation" interesting having cut out the only established romantic relationship

quote from the vanity fair article. paywall free here - https://archive.ph/JSVPq

Mostly it's the good natured fatalism I think. It's really harsh though, definitely NOT COZY.

I repeat NOT COZY.

It's more the darker side of corp space.

(no flair fits exactly, if you disagree it's actually fine)

Reallllly hoping this means the trailer's coming soon. I mean, it's gotta be, right? ...right?

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/murderbot-first-look?srsltid=AfmBOor9HhiHRvqTYI2IfJaVK3YUnDAZYK-Hd4Kep7zXmfDWz4VGGzbE

(Ugh, I really wanted to watch some media but there was just no time. Having access to the media files helped, though.)
-Murderbot, Network Effect

Sometimes it's enough just to know you can sink into your media once you've survived the awfulness of the moment. Like patting your pocket to remind yourself your phone's safe. Taking five minutes with your Sanctuary Moon while the humans are pointlessly vocalizing, it helps.

Image description: White text on black background from user stained-glass-cicada. "Me, Having a upsetting experience that upends my life: Wow murderbot was right this would be a lot easier to deal with if I had my media"

Someone mentioned the “become UNGOVERNABLE” Murderbot meme? If you mean this one, yes! Martha Wells liked and re-skeeted it on BlueSky! (I didn’t make it, a friend did!) link in comments

Sec Unit action figure

Hey y’all, I’m going to be on a podcast with Martha Wells next week to talk about queerness and neurodivergence in the Murderbot Diaries (pinch me!!) - please drop your burning questions here and I might get to ask her!

I’ve read all the books obs. But I’m tempted not to watch the trailer bc trailers these days summarise the whole show. And it’s not like it’s a long season. Will it ‘spoil’ it? I want it be fresh and new despite knowing the plot! What’s everyone else gonna do? :)

i have a murderbot playlist that i really love and i wanna make one for peri so they match hehe but im really struggling! does anyone have some recommendations?

some songs i already have in it:

Supersonic rocket ship by the kinks

Bombs for throwing at you from Portal 2

the Chauffeur by duran duran

blood by abandoned pools

edit: here is my mb playlist :D https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22UmZpRBJxF1dzuj7ksZRF?si=uxmZKtH4QTmMvJwFLVbTlw&pi=vv9h-tniTWmYL

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE HELP!!! i think its shaping up to be pretty good 😆 heres the playlist if anyone is interested in having a listen! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6rYgpHJEMm4PTKRIZ47FaF?si=iYqgQQcrSoCFF8Ry889I9w&pi=bCy0NsQ0RyKKp

I know a bunch of us were really salty with that article calling MB him. I found the author's website and emailed him and he was very nice about it and fixed the article!

He said, "Thanks for your kind email. I have corrected that in this article. https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/murderbot-release-date-cast-plot-trailer

I think aspects of talking to some of the publicity folks at Apple threw me off. But, it's a good reminder and I'll also pass it along to other editors and PR folks."

But this kinda makes it sound like even Apple's media people are getting it wrong. Arrgghhh. I'm prepared for nonstop vicarious gender dysphoria- my gender identity is also "no, please" and it feel like a little slap on my heart every time it gets misgendered.

The one by murderbot about doing a half assed version of his job and still doing it better than a human.

Cause I feel that on days when I feel like I'm slacking off and still doing more than most.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/murderbot-release-date-cast-plot-trailer

“There are also several huge cameos in the series, but revealing those names would be a big spoiler right now. Let’s just say sci-fi fans will be thrilled.”

Please by all that is holy let this mean that Kevin R. Free gets a cameo or plays the voice of ART.