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I was genuinely excited when Apple TV+ unveiled the first trailer for their upcoming sci-fi series called “Murderbot,” which is an adaptation of Martha Wells’ beloved “The Murderbot Diaries.” However, a tiny voice inside me hesitated, saying, “Hold on, isn’t that Alexander Skarsgård?” While I have no doubts about his talent and can easily imagine him portraying a brooding, sarcastic, and emotionally detached android – given his past roles in shows like “True Blood” – something just didn’t seem quite right.

Readers familiar with “The Murderbot Diaries” recognize that its protagonist, a self-aware security unit liberated from its governor module and fond of soap operas, lacks a specific gender identity. It neither identifies as male or female, nor does it possess biological sex characteristics. Instead, it shuns human-like intimacy and emotional exposure, which adds to its allure. Interestingly, many readers, including myself, tend to imagine Murderbot as a woman, albeit not in a stereotypically feminine manner but rather as a weary yet capable individual who prefers solitude and cherishes her media collection.

Murderbot Doesn’t Have a Gender, So Why Did I Assign One Anyway?

One captivating feature of ‘The Murderbot Diaries’ lies in its refusal to be confined by a specific gender identity. From the outset, author Martha Wells has made it clear that Murderbot does not identify as female, male, or even care about such labels, and most certainly rejects human-imposed gender binaries.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that I unconsciously perceived Murderbot as female-identified. This assumption, I believe, stems from the character’s behavior. Much like numerous women in our world, Murderbot is consistently managing others’ emotions, striving to protect them and expressing subtle exasperation at their risky actions. Furthermore, its deep introversion, overprotectiveness, and emotional reserve align with the archetype of the reluctant heroine.

Additionally, it’s important to consider the style in which Murderbot is portrayed. The voice is witty yet cynical, with a tone that suggests a person who has been underestimated far too often. This is reminiscent of a woman who has faced such treatment, making the character’s portrayal as female feel almost instinctive. Since the author is also a woman and the character does not explicitly state its gender, it leaves room for interpretation.

What Does Martha Wells Think Murderbot’s Gender Should Be?

Readers may have attributed human qualities, including gender, to Murderbot, but author Wells has consistently clarified that Murderbot is a mechanical entity, equipped with human-like components, and holds no desire to embrace humanity. In an interview with The Verge in 2017, Wells elaborated on this point: Murderbot is not concerned with being human or having a gender.

I believe the difficulty lies in the fact that our society deeply embeds the concept of gender, making it challenging to envision alternatives. Yet, despite my determination to create a character devoid of human-defined gender, I inevitably made errors. Fortunately, I had an editor and early readers who kindly pointed out these mistakes.

I made a conscious choice to avoid common tropes and stereotypes in creating Murderbot.

During the creation of my initial novella, it struck me as illogical for a SecUnit to possess reproductive capabilities or human features beyond those essential for its security role. Moreover, considering Murderbot’s feelings towards humans, it seemed unlikely that its personality would align with any particular gender. It also wouldn’t express interest in adopting a human gender or engaging in human relationships, let alone human intimacy. In truth, the absence of gender identity for Murderbot was more of a byproduct of character development as I wrote, rather than something I had planned from the outset.

Although it’s important to recognize the influence of reader interpretation and the ambiguity it allows for, it’s a puzzle how a 6-foot Swedish man like Alexander Skarsgård fits the role of Murderbot on screen. On one side, casting Skarsgård offers a distinct visual cue, even though it might not have been the audience’s initial expectation. However, his cool and detached demeanor might match well with the character’s persona. In fact, Skarsgård has demonstrated his talent for handling both humor and existential angst, which are key aspects of Murderbot’s character.

Adaptation Doesn’t Mean Imitation and ‘Murderbot’ Proves It

It’s undeniable that adaptations from books to screens can’t always stick strictly to the source material. After all, creative liberties are essential, and they truly should be. Not every aspect that thrives in a novel, such as internal dialogues, vagueness, or gradual character developments, suits television effectively. Instead, the visual format requires human elements like faces, voices, and physical presence. Therefore, even though the choice of Skarsgård for the role might initially seem unusual, a live actor was necessary to bring Murderbot’s on-screen persona to life, despite its genderless nature in the written work.

It’s clear that decisions made in pursuit of creative liberty, as seen in movies like “The Hunger Games” and “Jack Reacher,” often face criticism. The same applies to “Murderbot.” Now, selecting Skarsgård might not have been solely about gender but more about setting the right tone. He excels at delivering deadpan, emotionally restrained, and morally ambiguous performances, which could be more crucial than adhering to the character’s perceived ‘feel’ as fans may imagine it.

Skarsgård’s role doesn’t replace the intricacies of the book; instead, it introduces an additional perspective. This prompts dedicated readers to question their interpretation of gender within narratives, especially when the author deliberately avoids this aspect. Why did we presume a female character initially? Why does this casting seem incongruous? And how significantly does our personal viewpoint shape our understanding of characters?

Murderbot is now streaming on Apple TV+ with new episodes airing every Friday.

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2025-05-31 20:32