Apple TV has revealed the ensemble joining Murderbot for its second season, and the lineup is packed with familiar faces from comedy, drama and science fiction.
“Oh, great. Even more stupid humans.”
Apple TV’s first look at the season-two cast is available via #Murderbot, alongside the announcement shared on pic.twitter.com/DQhyNqzUBr.
The announcement was dated August 19, 2026.
The season 2 cast is remarkably large
The new additions listed for the second season are:
- 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
- Wanda Sykes
The full cast announcement has also been reported in a complete list of the new performers.
More humans for Murderbot to tolerate
Murderbot adapts Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries science-fiction series. The first season starred Alexander Skarsgård as a security cyborg that secretly achieved sentience, then decided its preferred use of free time was watching space soap operas rather than examining its own humanity.
That plan rarely survives contact with its clients. Despite wanting distance from people, Murderbot repeatedly protects the vulnerable human team assigned to it, even when the group seems perpetually close to disaster. The series combines dry comedy, found-family themes and criticism of corporate power, with John Cho also bringing an entertaining Captain Kirk-style energy to the show.
The season-two casting suggests that same balance will continue. Tramell Tillman could bring the quietly threatening charm he displayed in Severance to one of the Corporation’s major villains. Katy O’Brian, meanwhile, could be an excellent opponent for Skarsgård’s security bot.
The number of comic performers also points towards Murderbot dealing with another group of chaotic humans while resisting, and probably failing, to become emotionally attached to them. For readers interested in how science-fiction ideas translate into interactive entertainment, RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage is a useful place to explore.
Who will voice ART?
The biggest unanswered casting question concerns ART, short for Asshole Research Transport. ART is a sentient, sarcastic transport with the attitude of a deeply unimpressed starship computer, as well as Murderbot’s closest companion—although Murderbot is reluctant to call the relationship a friendship.
Patton Oswalt appears to be an obvious choice for the role, but Steve Buscemi could also suit ART’s abrasive personality. A more surprising possibility would be a female voice, with Wanda Sykes offering an especially entertaining alternative.
There is no confirmed release date for season two. Since the cast has only just been announced, a release sometime in 2027 appears plausible, but that timing remains unconfirmed.
Until then, fans can browse RETROCADE’s arcade videos, compare options in the arcade machine buying guide or investigate a compact bartop arcade.
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