How True Blood Prepared Alexander Skarsgård for Murderbot

Apple TV+ is bringing us a new sci-fi comedy series called Murderbot, based on Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries book series. This show, created by Chris and Paul Weitz, premieres on May 16 and stars Alexander Skarsgård as Murderbot, a cold and ruthless killer who just doesn’t see the point of its job—procrastination seems to be more its thing. Skarsgård shared with Vanity Fair that Murderbot is confused by humans and wants to get away from them, which honestly, who can’t relate to that?

This isn’t Skarsgård’s first rodeo playing a character struggling to understand humanity. Fans of HBO’s True Blood will remember him as the charming yet chilling vampire Eric Northman. Skarsgård draws parallels between Eric and Murderbot, noting that both characters observe humanity from a distance, experiencing a similar sense of remoteness.

In a recent cameo on What We Do in the Shadows, Skarsgård reprised his role as Eric, showcasing his versatility in playing against type. When comparing Eric and Murderbot, Skarsgård highlighted that while Eric revels in causing trouble and being in the spotlight, Murderbot prefers to stay in the background and avoid center stage. Despite the differences, both characters share a certain outsider perspective and confusion about human behavior.

So, if you’re excited to see Skarsgård take on the role of Murderbot in this sci-fi comedy series, mark your calendars for May 16 when the show premieres on Apple TV+. And for more updates on all things entertainment, keep checking out io9 for the latest news on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and more!