Murderbot: Meet the Cast Behind the Cyborg Sensation!

Apple TV+’s latest series, Murderbot, which is based on the book series The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, could potentially be their biggest success yet. This show centers around a cyborg as it carries out tasks and observes the humans around it. The series has shown promise in breaking into broader cultural discussions that Apple TV+’s shows have sometimes found difficult to enter.

Based on a standout portrayal by Alexander Skarsgård as the main character, it boasts an almost flawless rating on Rotten Tomatoes and comfortably ranks among the top ten series on the streaming platform. If you’ve been considering watching Murderbot, here’s a helpful guide to get acquainted with the characters.

Alexander Skarsgård as SecUnit aka Murderbot

Discussing ‘Murderbot’ inevitably starts with the titular character itself. In this series, Alexander Skarsgård portrays a security robot, or SecUnit, whose sole purpose is to safeguard humans in the Company’s operations, regardless of their irritating nature. At the onset of the storyline, SecUnit manages to bypass its ‘Governor Module,’ the piece of its programming that restricts autonomous decision-making. Once it accomplishes this feat, it self-names as ‘Murderbot’ and plans to explore freely. Regrettably, it can’t seem to conceive of anything else but accepting another security assignment.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but admire Alexander Skarsgård, a versatile actor whose journey in the world of cinema stretches back to his youth in 1980s Sweden. Recently, he has graced our screens with captivating performances in projects that have left audiences spellbound, such as Robert Eggers’ “The Northman,” Brandon Cronenberg’s “Infinity Pool,” and guest roles on beloved comedies like “Atlanta,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” and “Documentary Now!.” Skarsgård’s ability to embody a wide range of eccentric characters makes him an excellent choice for bringing Murderbot to life.

Noma Dumezweni as Dr. Mensah

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’d say: In the initial chapter of “Murderbot,” I find myself tasked with safeguarding a group of scientists known as the Preservation Alliance, venturing into an alien world in the Company’s outskirts. It soon becomes apparent that they require my assistance more than they initially anticipated. The team’s de facto commander is none other than Dr. Mensah, a seasoned terraforming expert grappling with escalating anxiety attacks. A compassionate and considerate leader, she prioritizes scientific discovery over financial gain. It appears that this planet may hold secrets far greater than she ever agreed to uncover.

Originating from Britain, Noma Dumezweni, much like several other esteemed British actors, divides her time between theater performances and screen appearances. She gained recognition for portraying the mature Hermione Granger in the play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which was staged on the West End, Broadway, and beyond. Recently, she has garnered attention on the big screen, featuring as Queen Selina in the 2023 live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” and making appearances on shows such as “Only Murders in the Building” and “Presumed Innocent.

David Dastmalchian as Dr. Gurathin

The greatest danger to Murderbot’s wellbeing doesn’t stem from the planet’s large centipede-like creatures, but from Dr. Gurathin, a technologically enhanced human and the team’s tech whiz. Almost instantly, Gurathin suspects something is wrong with their Security Unit (SecUnit), mistrusting it due to its potentially harmful abilities and odd behavior. Murderbot attempts to disguise itself as an ordinary, unmodified SecUnit, but Gurathin, being the most advanced human, finds this hard to believe. Whether Murderbot can keep up the act remains to be seen.

David Dastmalchian has consistently stood out in minor roles, offering his distinctive on-screen charm to quirky and unforgettable performances in films such as The Dark Knight, Prisoners, and Bird Box. Lately, he’s achieved broader recognition, finally securing a leading part in the 2023 horror blockbuster Late Night with the Devil. Additionally, Dastmalchian hosts an endearing YouTube talk show called “Grave Conversations,” where he engages celebrity guests in discussions about death while reclining (naturally) in coffins.

Tamara Podemski as Dr. Bharadwaj

Dr. Bharadwaj serves as the team’s in-house geochemist, responsible for deciphering the peculiar geological anomalies of this planet. In the initial episode, she narrowly escapes death at the jaws of one of the planet’s colossal worm inhabitants. If not for Murderbot’s swift actions, destroying the beast and rescuing her from harm’s way, she might not have survived. Remarkably, Bharadwaj is undeterred by the dangers or the emotional aftermath, promptly rejoining the mission.

Tamara Podemski, a Canadian actor with roots from the Muscowpetung band of the Anishinaabe peoples, takes on the role of Bharadwaj. She’s been acting in films and TV since the ’90s and is well-known for portraying Native American and First Nations characters. Many American viewers might recognize her as Aunt Teenie, the affectionate and quick-witted aunt of Elora (Deverey Jacobs) from FX’s popular comedy series Reservation Dogs, which also starred her sisters Jennifer and Sarah.

Sabrina Wu as Pin-Lee

Pin-Lee serves as both the legal advisor and a scientist on the team, showing great commitment to the project. However, they’re also deeply involved in their marriage with one of their colleagues, Arada. Despite being generally easy-going, Pin-Lee appears somewhat anxious about the future of their marriage, particularly when considering involving a third member from the team, an attempt that yielded conflicting reactions.

As Sabrina Wu, I embarked on my journey in the comedy world as a stand-up comedian and writer for the brief Disney+ series “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.”. After that, I transitioned to on-screen roles, earning hearty chuckles as Dead Eye in the 2023 comedy “Joy Ride”. Subsequently, I landed a guest spot on two episodes of “Abbott Elementary”. With “Murderbot” being my third role (not including stand-up performances), it’s clear that my acting career is off to a promising start.

Tattiawna Jones as Arada

In the first episode, Arada, the team’s onsite biologist, finds herself in a precarious situation that almost makes her appear as potential food for a creature. After the creature attacks, Arada is left frozen with shock. Unusually, Murderbot breaches protocol by lowering his mask to comfort her, an act that raises Dr. Gurathin’s suspicions. It appears that Arada’s marriage to Pin-Lee may be facing challenges, and she seems more enthused about the prospect of bringing in a third party than Pin-Lee does. Arada’s personal issues frequently serve as a source of frustration and disdain for Murderbot towards humans and their seemingly trivial problems.

Born in Canada, Tattiawna Jones made a name for herself with her work on CBC and CTV in the early 2010s. More recently, she has gained prominence in the United States, landing recurring parts in shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, Lost in Space, Orphan Black: Echoes, and Murderbot. Despite her long career, it appears that her success is continuing to rise, with undoubtedly more Hollywood opportunities on the horizon.

Akshay Khanna as Ratthi

In her capacity as a specialist in wormholes, Ratthi plays a crucial part in quickly navigating vast regions of the galaxy. During his leisure time, Pin-Lee and Arada invite him to join them as their third party in exploring the idea of an open marriage. This arrangement appeals to Ratthi due to his feelings for Arada, and he usually handles any awkward situations that arise with ease. However, he occasionally grapples with feelings of insecurity regarding his role in the mission.

Acting career of another talented British actor, Akshay Khanna, has had an impressive start. He’s landed roles in the popular romantic comedy “Red, White & Royal Blue,” the thrilling miniseries “Chloe,” the Paramount+ series “The Doll Factory,” and a single episode on “Andor.” It’s only been a few years since he left drama school, but Khanna is already making a significant impact in the industry.

2025-05-27 04:02