Alexander Skarsgård Opens Up About 'Murderbot' Scene That Broke His Composure

Alexander Skarsgård Faces Unexpected Challenge Filming 'Murderbot'

Imagine standing on set in a bulky suit, trying to channel both android indifference and snarky soap opera fandom. That’s exactly the balancing act Alexander Skarsgård pulled off as the lead in Apple TV+’s much-anticipated sci-fi series, Murderbot. Speaking about one particular moment during filming, Skarsgård admitted there was a scene that truly tested his serious face—and almost made him lose it on camera.

The details of the exact scene are hush-hush, but insiders say it centers on Murderbot’s internal tug-of-war. Picture this: a machine designed for security, suddenly swept up in rogue feelings and awkward self-awareness. Skarsgård had to sell the cold, no-nonsense exterior while the character is, internally, caught between doing his job and giving in to a very human urge to just binge-watch mindless TV. It’s an odd mix of existential tension and dry humor—one that would throw off even the most seasoned actor.

From Reluctant Protector to Relatable Antihero

If you’re not yet caught up on the hype, Murderbot is adapted from Martha Wells’ Nebula and Hugo Award-winning novels. The story kicks off on a far-flung planet, where a group of scientists needs protection from hostile environments and even more hostile corporate security bots. Enter Murderbot: an android security unit that’s hacked its own governor module. Suddenly free but socially awkward, Murderbot would rather curl up with its favorite cheesy dramas than deal with human feelings—or other killer bots—in real life.

Skarsgård’s portrayal leans hard into this tug-of-war. There’s constant tension between Murderbot’s programming (protect humans, follow orders) and its emerging need for autonomy. In some of the series’ most high-stress showdowns—think stand-offs with rogue SecUnits or encounters with eerie alien artifacts—the character’s dry wit and emotional awkwardness cut through the tech-heavy suspense. Skarsgård doesn’t just make Murderbot a tough fighter; he gives him quirks and moments of vulnerability, making viewers root for this reluctant antihero.

The show also dives deep into weightier topics. What does it mean to have free will if you were literally built to follow orders? How do you make friends when you barely want to talk to anyone? Through Murderbot’s eyes, themes about identity, belonging, and humanity all get a fresh, often very funny twist. It’s clear Skarsgård’s performance goes beyond the usual sci-fi action hero. By the time you watch that infamous scene Skarsgård almost lost it during, you might find yourself relating more to a soap-opera-loving android than you ever thought possible.