Apple TV’s Futuristic Sci-Fi Series With a Near-Perfect RT Score Is Officially Returning in 2027, Not 2026

A satirical sci-fi hit

Murderbot debuted on Apple TV in May 2025. Skarsgård plays a private security robot who is both intrigued and repelled by human behavior. The series adapts All Systems Red, the first novel in Martha Wells’ eight-book The Murderbot Diaries. In season 1, the robot protects scientists on a dangerous mission off Earth while delivering dry commentary on their shortcomings.

The show received a 95% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside an 82% audience score. Its reception made it one of 2025’s notable new science-fiction series.

Season two set for 2027

Steve Buscemi, who is set to guest star in season 2, told ScreenRant that the new episodes would arrive in summer 2027. His comment came while he was discussing his role in Wild Horse Nine with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender.

The timing rules out a return in 2026 and places the next season about two years after the first. That gap is within the typical range for streaming shows, though some series have taken much longer between seasons.

The report says busy cast schedules may be one factor in the wait. It also notes that Apple TV could use back-to-back filming for later seasons, but does not say whether that plan has been adopted for Murderbot.

Streaming gaps vary

Other shows offer examples of different production timelines. Percy Jackson & the Olympians had a two-year break between its first two seasons, then shortened the interval by filming seasons 2 and 3 back to back.