The creative minds behind About A Boy and American Pie, Chris and Paul Weitz, are bringing a fresh sci-fi comedy to Apple TV+ with Murderbot, a show that reimagines the future of androids. Starring Alexander Skarsgård, the series adds another ruthless character to the actor’s portfolio, but with an interesting twist: this Murderbot doesn’t understand the appeal of its job, which is to murder. As Skarsgård explained to Vanity Fair, “All it ends up doing is procrastinating,” highlighting the android’s lukewarm approach to its duties, which is based on The Murderbot Diaries by author Martha Wells.

Skarsgård further elaborated on the character’s mindset, stating, “It just doesn’t get humans at all,” which stems from a lack of curiosity rather than hatred. This detachment is rooted in the android’s confusion and desire to distance itself from humans. This sentiment is relatable, especially for those who find themselves lost in the pursuit of meaning.

Alexander Skarsgård has previously portrayed an inhuman character with a similar air of detachment in HBO’s True Blood, where he played the vampire Eric Northman. He drew parallels between Eric and Murderbot, noting that both characters observe humanity from a similar distance. Recently, Skarsgård reprised his role as Eric in the final season of What We Do in the Shadows, showcasing his ability to poke fun at his past heartthrob vampire persona.

Skarsgård continued to compare the two roles, highlighting their differences. While Eric, having once been human, can relate to humans despite finding them silly and insignificant, Murderbot, with its organic components, can understand and feel human emotions to some extent. However, the key difference lies in their approaches: Eric revels in being a troublemaker, whereas Murderbot prefers to blend into the background and avoid attention, content with watching its TV shows.

The contrast between these characters is stark, yet they are both packaged in the charismatic persona of Alexander Skarsgård. As Murderbot prepares to premiere on Apple TV+ on May 16, it will be intriguing to see how Skarsgård brings this unique character to life.

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