Alexander Skarsgard Is A Naked Robot In “Murderbot” And We Have The Details
If you’ve been online in the last two months, you’ve probably seen the chatter about Murderbot. The series, starring Alexander Skarsgård, dropped on Apple TV+ back on May 16, 2025, and has been a topic of conversation ever since. While some discourse has labelled it a queer series, the reality of the show is a bit more complex. What has been confirmed, however, is a very specific detail about Skarsgård’s character that has everyone talking.
We're watching Murderbot for the first time. I love Alexander Skarsgård. It's hilarious so far. pic.twitter.com/8AuU4dG21G
— Matt Skulls (@KrankyHorror) July 15, 2025
So, what’s the story here?
For those who haven’t logged on yet, the series is based on Martha Wells’ popular books, The Murderbot Diaries. The story centres on a security android, or “SecUnit,” that has hacked its own system to gain independence. The catch is that it would much rather use its freedom to binge-watch serials than perform its job of protecting the humans it’s assigned to. The show was adapted by Chris and Paul Weitz, and its unique premise has set it apart from other recent sci-fi offerings.
About that talked-about nude scene…
This seems to be the main talking point for many viewers. The Murderbot character is often naked, and as those who have watched can now confirm, the show stuck closely to the source material. The character is a machine without biological sex. In the books, Murderbot clarifies this, stating, “I don’t have any gender or sex-related parts.” As a result, Skarsgård’s anatomy in the show is more like that of a mannequin, featuring a smooth, featureless mound where you would expect something else.
As someone who read The Murderbot Diaries I can say that this was the best books to show adaptation. I love the character of Secunit played by Alexander Skarsgård. He was phenomenal👏#Murderbot pic.twitter.com/PGttTMh6uT
— Carpe Diem¹⁶⁵⁵ (@CarpeDiem23A) July 12, 2025
But is the show itself queer?
Now that Murderbot is out, the debate continues, but the answer seems clear. The character from the books is asexual and agender, using “it/its” pronouns because it’s a machine. It even says it has “less than null interest in human or any other kind of sex.” This has rightly led many to embrace the character as an asexual icon. Does this make the show a queer narrative? Not really. The series is more a story about autonomy, identity, and an outsider trying to find its place, themes that are universally relatable.
So what’s the verdict?
At DNA, we think it’s one of the most original shows of the year. While it may not be the overt queer sci-fi series some were anticipating, its clever writing and Skarsgård’s performance make it compelling viewing. It’s a sharp, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful show about what it means to be a person. If you haven’t already, you can find Murderbot streaming now on Apple TV+.
