Alexander Skarsgård wants to be left alone to watch TV, just like Murderbot

Can’t a killer robot just watch some soap operas in peace? It’s a theme Murderbot star Alexander Skarsgård tells Yahoo Entertainment he certainly relates to.

Skarsgård plays the titular role in Apple TV+’s new sci-fi series, out on Friday, about a security unit (“SecUnit”) gone rogue who must hide its free will from its clients. Although Murderbot is a killing machine horrified by human emotion, it’s drawn to protecting a team of clients more confusing than its favorite soap opera, Sanctuary Moon. The comedic thriller is based on author Martha Wells’s bestselling book series The Murderbot Diaries.

Murderbot is a genderless cyborg in the books, with no physical human-looking attributes of note. So, how on earth did Skarsgård fit the bill to play the titular character?

The show’s creators, brothers Chris and Paul Weitz, knew it would be an impossible task to cast someone who fit “everybody’s version of what they were thinking of.” They even considered a female lead. But when Skarsgård showed interest, they say, the casting choice was a no-brainer.

“Alexander’s a deeply eccentric person. He’s somebody who has this exterior that can be intimidating. He was in the Swedish special forces. He appears from characters he’s played like he could really kill somebody,” Paul tells Yahoo.

The Weitzes know fans of the books have “headcanon,” which, in fandom terms, refers to how people envision what a character is going to look or feel like. They say fans won’t be disappointed by Skarsgård. (Early reviews agree.)

“He has a really good sense of humor and he’s an oddball. Those characteristics were characteristics which one felt would suit Murderbot,” Paul adds. “We just wanted it to be an actor who was really specific.”

Skarsgård is happy to show off his eccentric side in the series.

“It’s such a weird, unique character that I definitely hadn’t played before, and I was also excited about doing something slightly more comedic compared to The Northman or Infinity Pool, other, slightly darker projects that I’ve done recently,” he tells Yahoo. “I was beyond excited when I came across this weird sci-fi action plot, but centered around a socially awkward android who loves soap operas.”

Skarsgård says he personally relates to Murderbot’s “procrastination.”

“I thought that was quite interesting how it calls itself Murderbot and it’s going to go on these epic adventures. And that’s kind of what you expect to see when you’re watching a sci-fi show — that it’s actually heroic and confident and goes out there and kicks ass. But instead ... Murderbot procrastinates and gets stuck just watching its favorite show, Sanctuary Moon,” he laughs. “I find it quite relatable that, you know, you’ve got these grand plans, but they can wait till tomorrow. You just got to watch a few more episodes of something.”

Since sci-fi always touches on real-world themes and the closest thing we have to a SecUnit is ChatGPT, I signed up for the AI chatbot to enlist its help for a lightning round of Murderbot and Skarsgård-themed questions. The 48-year-old Swedish star was excited to see how it did.

I’m going to fire them off. Are you ready?

Yeah.

Would you rather binge-watch a show or explore a new city?

Explore a new city.

Twenty-four-hour robot bodyguard or 24-hour robot personal chef?

Personal chef.

Be a brilliant villain or forgettable hero?

Forgettable hero. Forgettable hero is really nice. I like that.

Acting in a heavy costume or acting with heavy CGI?

I’m quite lazy. I like practical stuff that’s not CGI, but I’m also lazy. The thought of doing something in pajamas in front of a green screen? I’ll go for that one.

Skarsgård family game night. Is it board games or chaos?

I would say chaotic board games.

What would be a favorite recharge, sleeping in or an outdoor activity?

Outdoor activity.

Watch a bad movie with friends or a masterpiece alone?

Bad movie with friends.

Robots taking over or aliens invading?

Aliens invading.

Be famous in a tiny galaxy or totally anonymous on Earth?

I’d like to be famous in a tiny galaxy. I like that idea.

See, these weren’t too bad. I mean, I took out the really weird and creepy ones, so my job still needs to be here, but...

Give me one creepy [question].

OK, you asked. Would you rather keep taking your shirt off or only wear clothes in films?

Keep taking my shirt off.

The first two episodes of Murderbot premiere globally May 16 on Apple TV+.