A sci-fi series based on Martha Wells novels, “The Murderbot Diaries,” has landed at Apple TV+.
Hailing from “About a Boy” creators Chris and Paul Weitz, “Murderbots” follows a self-hacking security android who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable “clients.” Murderbot must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe. Alexander Skarsgård will lead the series and will serve as executive producer.
The Weitz brothers will write, direct, and produce under their Depth of Field banner. Andrew Miano also executive produces alongside for Depth of Field. David S. Goyer executive produces alongside Keith Levine for Phantom Four. Martha Wells will serve as consulting producer. Paramount Television Studios produces the series.
The project marks the second collaboration between Apple TV+ and Goyer, who serves as showrunner and executive producer on the Apple Original “Foundation,” which recently aired its second season. It joins Apple’s slate of other sci-fi titles which includes “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” “Silo,” “For All Mankind,” “Invasion” and more.
Paul Weitz recently wrote and directed “Fatherhood” starring Kevin Hart, while Depth of Field’s “The Farewell” won best feature at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards. Chris Weitz most recently wrote “The Creator” and is in post on his next feature “They Listen.”
Skarsgård’s credits also include “The Aftermath” for Fox Searchlight, opposite Keira Knightley and Jason Clarke; “The Hummingbird Project,” opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Salma Hayek; “The Long Shot” opposite Charlize Theron and Seth Rogan, for Lionsgate; and A24’s “The Kill Team,” and in “The Stand” for CBS All Access opposite James Marsden and Odessa Young.
Skarsgård is repped by CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
Chris and Paul Weitz are repped by UTA and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman.