Murderbot Season 2 Expands Cast with 25 New Additions
Apple TV+ is gearing up for the second season of its Emmy-nominated sci-fi comedy series Murderbot, adding a slew of new cast members more than a year after the series was renewed. The upcoming season will feature 25 new actors, including Steve Buscemi, Wanda Sykes, Patton Oswalt, Martha Plimpton, Bridget Everett, Michael Sheen, Tramell Tillman, Blair Underwood, and Brendan Hunt.
The complete list of new recurring and guest stars, as confirmed by multiple outlets, includes Blair Underwood, Brendan Hunt, Bridget Everett, Britne Oldford, Damian Young, Divian Ladwa, Ella Jay Basco, Etienne Beydon, Griffin Newman, Jaedynn Latter, Jason George, Kali Reis, Katy O’Brian, Maddy Strauss, Marc Menchaca, Martha Plimpton, Meredith Salenger, Michael Sheen, Nia Otchere-Sarfo, Nicholas Braun, Patton Oswalt, Steve Buscemi, Topher Grace, Tramell Tillman, and Wanda Sykes.
These actors will appear in either recurring or guest roles, according to reports. Several of them are familiar faces on Apple TV+, having appeared in other shows for the streamer. Brendan Hunt, for instance, plays Coach Beard in the comedy Ted Lasso, while Tramell Tillman plays Mr. Milchick in Severance. Other new cast members have also been in Apple TV+ productions, including Damian Young in The Last Frontier and Martha Plimpton in Prime Target.
Returning Cast and Production Details
Alexander Skarsgård returns as the titular Murderbot, a role he also executive produces. He will be joined by returning stars Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, and Tamara Podemski. Recurring guest stars from the first season, including Clark Gregg, John Cho, DeWanda Wise, and Jack McBrayer, are also set to return.
The series is based on Martha Wells’ book series, with the first season drawing on the first novella. Created by Chris and Paul Weitz, who also write, direct, and executive produce under their Depth of Field banner, the show is produced by CBS Studios. Andrew Miano, Dan Balgoyen, and Britta Rowings also executive produce for Depth of Field, while David S. Goyer executive produces alongside Keith Levine for Phantom Four. Wells serves as consulting producer.
Murderbot follows a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients. The character, played by Skarsgård, must hide its free will and complete dangerous assignments when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe. The show-within-a-show, titled “The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon,” is a recurring element.
Season 2 Status and Release Expectations
The first season of Murderbot premiered on Apple TV+ in May 2025, and the series was renewed for a second season shortly after its first season concluded in July 2025. Season 2 is currently in production, though no release date has been announced. Some reports suggest the season could arrive in 2027, but that remains speculative. The episode count for the upcoming season has not been confirmed; the first season consisted of 10 episodes.
Plot details for the new season are largely under wraps. It is not yet known which books from the Murderbot Diaries series will be adapted, though some speculation points to a blend of stories from Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, and Exit Strategy. A decision on a potential third season is not expected until toward the end of the second season’s run.