‘Murderbot’: How to Watch Apple’s New Sci-Fi Comedy Thriller

Apple TV Plus is packed with excellent sci-fi TV offerings, and Murderbot, the platform’s newest arrival, will make the streamer’s content lineup all the more exciting. Based on Martha Wells’ Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning bestselling series, Murderbot is a sci-fi comedy that follows a self-hacking security robot drawn to humanity — despite finding human emotions revolting.

Alexander Skarsgård leads the series as the cyborg in question. Can the Murderbot keep its free will a secret and serve out its assignment to keep its vulnerable human clients safe? Or will it succumb to its more profound desire: watching futuristic soap operas and pondering its place in the vast, unknowable maw of the universe?

Alongside Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tamara Podemski and Tattiawna Jones star. The Weitz brothers wrote, directed and produced the series; David S. Goyer and Keith Levine are the executive producers.

Scroll on to learn the episodic release schedule for Murderbot and more streaming details about the series.

Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2025

When to watch Murderbot on Apple TV Plus

Murderbot’s first two episodes, FreeCommerce and Eye Contact, will be available on Apple TV Plus on Friday, May 16. The remaining episodes will stream on the platform each Friday until the Season 1 finale on July 11.

If you don’t have an Apple device, sign up for the service via Prime Video channels or on your Android device.

To indulge in the delightful craziness of Murderbot, you’ll need a subscription to Apple TV Plus. The streamer costs $10 a month, and if you’re a new subscriber, you can get a seven-day free trial. For those who purchased a new Apple device, three months of Apple TV Plus is free, as long as you redeem the offer within 90 days.

How to watch Murderbot from anywhere with a VPN

If you’re traveling abroad and want to keep up with your favorite shows or movies while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds; they can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins.

VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN usage to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.

If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions, ensuring you’re connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying whether your streaming subscription allows VPN usage is crucial.

ExpressVPN is our current pick for the most secure and reliable VPN service. It’s fast, works across multiple devices and offers stable streams. ExpressVPN is normally $13 a month, but you can save money with an annual plan. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our review of ExpressVPN.