Martha Wells' Murderbot series being adapted for TV!!!!

[jo]

This actually made me squeal with glee!

It's being developed for AppleTV+ and was apparently greenlit a year ago, but this is the first I've heard of it, so apologies if it's old news for some. They've cast Alexander Skarsgard as Murderbot.

Story here.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

I'm happy for her as I imagine this is going to make the books even more visible. I have my doubts about the series though. I'm rather disappointed in the casting, and I'm particularly wondering how they're going to present this because so much of the books' charm comes from Murderbot's internal dialogue.

[jo]

I love how the very next comment on this is someone thrilled by the casting choice. Aspects of the book present challenges, certainly, but people need to just chill. I think author John Scalzi put it very well over on Bluesky yesterday: "Adaptations of books are just that, adaptations. They will not and can never be a one-to-one translation of what's on the page and what's in your head. Don't expect that, and instead see how it plays the changes. If it still keeps the overall vibe you loved, it's a winner."

[lirazel]

I don't know that "chill" is the right way to respond to people who have concerns about the fact that the show is being made by writers/producers/directors who are all white men when the story is...not about white men. I am highly skeptical that such a group of creators can actually replicate the vibe readers love.

Plus, Murderbot is a character who could be played by LITERALLY ANYONE (if they aren't physically large enough on their own, that's what special effects and CGI are for) and yet instead of giving the role to someone who belongs to a demographic that struggles to find interesting roles, they instead gave it to a handsome, youngish, white dude who will always, always, always find interesting roles to play. It's the worst kind of missed opportunity.

[eta] I am not telling you not to be excited. I am pleased that people are pleased. But I think those of us who are more skeptical than pleased have good reason to be.

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, I assumed that they would be casting someone trans in the role, and agree that Murderbot could have any kind of representation. That they didn't suggests to me that they didn't trust the story to sell itself.

I do get that most film or TV shows get financing based on name recognition -- if not the authors/directors then the cast. But it seems to me there were a number of roles for secondary characters who could have had name actors cast to fill that need.

[lirazel]

I do get that most film or TV shows get financing based on name recognition -- if not the authors/directors then the cast. But it seems to me there were a number of roles for secondary characters who could have had name actors cast to fill that need.

Exactly.

[impala_chick]

Oh wow this is exciting! Skarsgard will make a good Murderbot, he's definitely imposing. Although I always pictured Murderbot as more fem for some reason.

[vriddy]

I don't have Apple+ so I imagine I won't be able to watch it, but I'm really glad this is being made and bringing even more visibility to Murderbot! :D