It’s been nearly three years since Westworld was canceled by HBO, but Apple TV+'s coming up with Westworld theories.
Although HBO's prestige series created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy is considered one of the best Western TV shows from the last decade, and featured top-notch performances from stars like Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, and Thandiwe Newton, Westworld couldn’t stay alive long enough to reach a satisfying conclusion. However, Apple TV+'s new sci-fi series about robots may be the perfect replacement for Westworld fans, if its high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes are anything to go by.
Murderbot Is Another Great Robot-Centered Sci-Fi Show Like Westworld
The Sci-Fi Comedy Has A Certified Fresh Rating On Rotten Tomatoes
Based on a series of novellas by Martha Wells, Apple TV+’s Murderbot stars Alexander Skarsgård as a Security Unit, or SecUnit, who secretly hacked into its government module to gain full autonomy. While working for a group of scientists on a deserted planet, the robot hides its true nature from those it is meant to protect, preferring to watch space soap operas rather than turn openly against its human masters.
Alexander Skarsgård’s Hilarious Murderbot Preparation Could Tease A Big Season 2 Plotline
Alexander Skarsgård had a unique way of preparing to play Murderbot in Apple TV+'s show, and his hilarious routine may even hint at future seasons.
While only in its first season, the sci-fi comedy has everyone singing its praises. Murderbot has a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%, and has been hailed as one of the best sci-fi titles currently on Apple TV+. Although the tone of Murderbot is much lighter than Westworld, both shows have robots gaining sentience who question their sense of morality and their relationship with humanity.
Why Westworld Was Canceled By HBO After 4 Seasons
The Show Lost Viewership Numbers And Its Quality Dropped
Adapted from the Michael Crichton film from 1973, Westworld gained both critical acclaim and huge viewership numbers when it first aired on HBO in 2016. Fans praised the show for its unique blend of surreal sci-fi and Wild West elements, as well as the superb performances of the cast. Unfortunately, what was once considered a sci-fi masterpiece went downhill after season 1, resulting in Westworld’s cancellation in 2022.
Although the creators had initially signed on for six seasons of Westworld, declining viewership and poor critical reception left HBO no choice but to pull the plug. Westworld season 1 reportedly brought in 12 million viewers, but by season 4, viewership was down to just 4 million (via Hollywood Reporter). Although part of the blame could be placed on the 2020 pandemic (which caused a 3-year delay between seasons 3 and 4), there’s no denying that Westworld lost something special along the way.
Westworld & Murderbot Have A Great Casting Connection
Alexander Skarsgård's Brother Gustaf Had A Role In Westworld Season 2
Although the cast of Murderbot is minimalist compared to the large number of actors in Westworld, the two shows have another link between them via the Skarsgårds brothers. Alexander, who is best known for his villainous roles on HBO’s True Blood and in Succession, is the star of Murderbot. Meanwhile, his brother, Gustaf Skarsgård, appears in Westworld season 2, playing Karl Strand, the head of Delos security.
10 Great TV Shows To Stream If You Still Miss Westworld
Viewers who have recently caught up with HBO's Westworld will be excited to find plenty more intriguing and thought-provoking series to stream.
Both Alexander and Gustaf come from a prestigious acting family, beginning with their father, Stellan Skarsgård, who played scientist Erik Selvig in several movies within the MCU. Yet another famous Skarsgård is Bill Skarsgård, known for his horror roles as Pennywise in It and It: Chapter 2, and as Count Orlok in 2024’s Nosferatu. The youngest of the Skarsgård clan, Valter Skarsgård, is also an actor, recently appearing in the Swedish crime drama, Beck. Murderbot is worth checking out to scratch your Westworld itch.
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Westworld
6/10- Release Date
- 2016 - 2022-00-00
- Network
- HBO
- Showrunner
- Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy
Cast
Dolores Abernathy
Maeve Millay
WHERE TO WATCH
BUYWestworld is a television series set in a futuristic Wild West-themed amusement park where advanced android hosts cater to human guests' desires. The series explores the themes of artificial consciousness and human morality as the lines between reality and artificiality begin to blur.
- Writers
- Roberto Patino, Carly Wray, Ron Fitzgerald, Daniel T. Thomsen, Karrie Crouse, Wes Humphrey
- Seasons
- 4
- Streaming Service(s)
- M
-
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Murderbot
9/10- Release Date
- May 15, 2025
- Network
- Apple TV+
- Showrunner
- Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Cast
Murderbot
Noma DumezweniMensah
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingMurderbot, released on May 15, 2025, is set in a high-tech future where a rogue security robot gains free will. To remain undetected, it must a mission to protect scientists on a perilous planet, while its true desire is to indulge in watching soap operas.
- Writers
- Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- AppleTV+
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Murderbot
- Release Date
- May 15, 2025
- Network
- Apple TV+
- Showrunner
- Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Cast
-
Murderbot
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Noma DumezweniMensah
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Aurora Guerrero, Roseanne Liang
- Writers
- Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
- Franchise(s)
- The Murderbot Diaries
- Creator(s)
- Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
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