Apple TV+ sci-fi show,Murderbot, which landed an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes critics' score of 96%, has officially been renewed for season 2 after its early success. Soon afterMurderbotseason 1 started streaming on Apple TV+, it rose in the charts to become the streamer’s most successful series.
While its nearly unanimous acclaim was enough to justify its swift renewal after season 1, theApple TV+ sci-fi showalso performed incredibly well from a commercial standpoint andremained at the top of the streaming charts for several weeks straight. This explains why Apple TV+ has announced its return (viaApple TV+ Press) even before its season 1 finale’s release.
Since every metric provedMurderbotwas a resounding success, it should not be surprising that Apple TV+ has given its second season a green flag. Not to mention, since Apple TV+ has always had the reputation of letting most of its sci-fi shows reach their full potential instead of ending them after one season,Murderbot’s return makes sense.
Here’s whatMurderbot’s creators and executive producers Chris and Paul Weitz have said in response to its renewal:
“We’re so grateful for the response that ‘Murderbot’ has received, and delighted that we’re getting to go back to Martha Wells’ world to work with Alexander, Apple, CBS Studios and the rest of the team.”
What Murderbot’s Return Means For The Apple TV+ Sci-fi Show
Murderbot’s Early Creative Liberties Allow It To Expand Beyond Its Source’s Story
Murderbot, like many sci-fi shows on Apple TV+, is based on a book series. Written by Martha Wells, the original series contains a total of seven installments. After hearing about the show’s renewal, it is hard not to believe that its next installment will pick more story beats from the source for television.
However, given howMurderbothas made several significant changes to the action scenes, pace, and overall tone of its source material,its second installment might drift further away from the books. Similar toApple TV+‘sSilo,Murderbotcould also gradually adopt original story elements while honoring the essence of its source.
It is interesting howMurderbot’s renewal almost comes in the wake ofApple TV+‘sSunny’s cancellation, which also dabbled with similar themes and ideas surrounding identity, the nature of humanity, and corporate control. SinceSunny, too, had a positive critical reception, its cancellation andMurderbot’s return highlight the importance of audience traction for a show’s renewal.
The Show Has The Potential To Become Apple TV+’s Next Big Sci-fi IP
Image via Apple TV+
Apple TV+ already seems to have a long line of valuable sci-fi IPs, likeSilo,Severance,Dark Matter, andFoundation. With new additions likeMurderbot, the list only keeps growing. Although manyApple TV+ sci-fi shows, likeInvasion,Foundation,Silo,Severance, andDark Matterare set to return with new seasons,Murderbotstands out in more ways than one.
Not all viewers are content withMurderbotseason 1’s book changes. However, as its 96% critics’ score and 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes suggest, the show has managed to win over almost everyone. With several books left in the show’s creators’ arsenal,Murderbothas the potential to become a long-term franchise if it maintains its successful streak in subsequent installments.
Murderbot
Murderbot, released on August 16, 2025, is set in a high-tech future where a rogue security robot gains free will. To remain undetected, it must join a mission to protect scientists on a perilous planet, while its true desire is to indulge in watching soap operas.
