Apple TV has confirmed the second season cast for its sci-fi comedy series Murderbot, adding actors Steve Buscemi and Wanda Sykes to the ensemble.
The streaming platform, based in Cupertino, California, renewed Murderbot for a second installment more than a year ago. The series, which stars Alexander Skarsgard, received three Emmy Award nominations in 2026.
Cast announcement and video reveal
Apple TV officially confirmed the season two cast on August 19, 2026, through a social media post on X. The video post displayed headshot photographs of the ensemble cast. As the camera zooms out, the individual images align to form a large number two.
The video confirmation offers fans their first official look at the expanded roster of actors appearing in the upcoming season.
Major additions to the ensemble
American actor and producer Steve Buscemi stands out as one of the major new additions to the series. Buscemi is widely recognized for his film performances in New York Stories, Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and Armageddon, as well as his roles in television dramas such as The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.
American actress and writer Wanda Sykes also joins the second season as a key cast member. Sykes is known for voicing Sid's grandmother in the animated feature films Ice Age 4: Continental Drift and Ice Age 5: Collision Course.
Other prominent actors announced for the new season include Patton Oswalt, Martha Plimpton, Bridget Everett, Michael Sheen, Tramell Tillman, Blair Underwood, and Brendan Hunt. Oswalt is an established stand-up comedian and actor, while Sheen is an acclaimed Welsh actor known for stage and screen work.
Full roster of new and returning actors
These nine featured additions join series star and executive producer Alexander Skarsgard. Skarsgard, a Swedish actor known for his award-winning roles in dramatic television and film, leads the cast as the central security unit.
Returning cast members from the first season include Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, and Tamara Podemski. Recurring guest actors Clark Gregg, John Cho, DeWanda Wise, and Jack McBrayer are also set to appear.
Apple TV published the complete list of 25 new recurring and guest actors joining for the second season:
- 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 roster combines established character actors and rising talent across film, television, and comedy.
Premise and story background
Murderbot is a science fiction comedy series based on the first novella in the book series by American author Martha Wells. The narrative centers on a self-hacking security unit that experiences deep horror toward human emotions, yet remains protective of its vulnerable human clients, played by Skarsgard.
Filmmakers Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz created the television adaptation. In the first season, the main character must conceal its independent free will while carrying out a high-stakes mission. Throughout the assignment, the security unit desires only to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and understand its place in the universe.
Apple TV has not yet disclosed any plot details or storyline specifics for the second season of Murderbot.
