Alexander Skarsgård plays the lead role in the series based on the novel series "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells.
I expected a bit of a typical tough guy role, adrenaline-filled, self-assured. Absolutely not the character you meet when you read the book or the script, says Alexander Skarsgård.
The galaxy is a dangerous place in the series and security guards are essential. They consist of certain "human material" but are artificial intelligences, both robot and human. When Skarsgård's character, the guard with the anonymous name Sec Unit, manages to hack its own system and gets a free will, it has big, revengeful plans at first. It begins by giving itself a name – Murderbot.
But in the same vein, Murderbot has also managed to hack satellite systems – and now has unlimited access to the galaxy's soap operas, which it gets hooked on.
Murderbot is then given the task of defending a group of researchers who are a bit unusual.
They are space hippies, you could say, who try to invite Murderbot into the community. Slowly, an emotional bond is built to these individuals. It begins to examine its own humanity.
The somewhat humorous series touches on subjects such as artificial intelligence and whether technology could become dangerous for humans.
I don't have much experience of AI personally. But I have pretty mixed feelings. One day I think about the possibilities, says Alexander Skarsgård.
"Is super inspiring"
He tells about a friend outside the film industry who wanted to put together a "lookbook" with text and pictures to sell in a film idea to financiers.
Earlier it cost quite a lot to put together such a thing, but he could do it from home with AI images for no money at all. It's super inspiring, I think, because it also makes it more democratic.
He also sees the downside – not least that people in the industry may lose their jobs.
They are no longer unique in what they do, it's extremely difficult. I can see a lot of possibilities one day, but if development continues at this pace – in a year it will be at a completely different level. That's where the risks come in, if you don't regulate at all. I can swing between optimism and doomsday feelings.
Age: 48 years
Background: Broke through internationally in 2008 with the TV series "Generation Kill" and "True Blood". Has made films like "The Legend of Tarzan", "Godzilla vs Kong" and has had major roles in TV series like "Big Little Lies" and "Succession".
Last seen in "The Northman" and "Infinity Pool".
The series "Murderbot" premieres on Apple TV+ on May 16. Alexander Skarsgård is also an executive producer for the series.
