New sci-fi series starring Hollywood A-lister is the 'perfect blend' of comedy and drama

The first two instalments of a captivating and cheeky science fiction series, fronted by a renowned film and TV actor, are now ready to stream.

Launching today (Friday, 16th May) on Apple TV+, this distinctive comedy-drama is an eccentric fusion of futuristic thriller and whimsical comedy that you won't want to miss.

Featuring Succession favourite Alexander Skarsgard, Murderbot is a must-see for sci-fi enthusiasts, revolving around a free-thinking security robot who secretly contemplates murdering his new crew.

Backed by an impressive ensemble of familiar faces, the self-dubbed Murderbot is purchased by a group of colonists who initially don't know what to make of him.

Joining him on this journey are Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's Noma Dumezweni, Joy Ride's Sabrina Wu and Dune's David Dastmalchian, reports .

Reviews for the series are now in, with most critics concurring that Murderbot is a must-watch for sci-fi buffs.

Radio Times awarded the show a solid four-star review, exclaiming: "As Alexander Skarsgard's SecUnit would say, Murderbot is a true 'premium quality' show that will surprise you in the best way possible.

"It may not be the most epic show to ever grace the small screen, but thanks to Chris and Paul Weitz's collaboration with original author Martha Wells to create a faithful adaptation, this is one of the most enjoyable series to ever land on Apple TV+.

"With a unique premise, interesting world, and clever humour, the dedicated performances by all of its cast members are endearing enough to make you want to see more adaptations of Wells's universe being brought to life."

Collider showered praise on the first series, hailing Apple's fresh sci-fi venture as "starkly different from any show that precedes it, courtesy of a hilariously lovable protagonist, a diverse ensemble cast anchored by several standouts, and breezy, half-hour episodes that take after the spirit of the original novella in both pacing and twists."

Drawing inspiration from Martha Wells's beloved The Murderbot Diaries book series, there's an abundance of material at the fingertips of showrunners Chris and Paul Weitz, with prospects for further exploration hingeing on the initial season's triumph.

Collider seems confident the programme is on course to captivate dedicated fans, further commenting: "From minute one, Skarsgard's performance immediately helps to craft a Murderbot that you're happy to follow on its adventures, no matter what happens next."

The series also earned accolades for achieving a "perfect blend of laugh-out-loud comedy and high-stakes drama".

Empire, however, offered a more reserved appraisal, conceding in their three-star review: "Murderbot often seems undecided about what it wants to be."

"With its short episodes - around 25 minutes - and workplace-comedy set-up, it primes you to expect a sitcom, but it doesn't have sitcom rhythms or structure.

"It's plot-light and its comedy is less in jokes than Murderbot's observations of humanity. It is, by its nature, largely about just watching people exist, in their myriad peculiar ways."

Will this distinctive sci-fi thriller capture your interest and draw you into Murderbot's intriguing escapades through space?

Murderbot continues Fridays on Apple TV+.