It’s been nearly three years sinceWestworldwas canceled by HBO, but Apple TV+‘sMurderbotis an ideal replacement. Taking place in the future,Westworldis about an adult theme park made up of android hosts who exist solely to entertain the Wild West fantasies of their human guests.Westworldintroduced new theme parks and changed the setting to the outside world in later seasons, and its cancellation caused many fans to misscoming up withWestworldtheories.
Although HBO’s prestige series created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy is considered one of thebest Western TV shows from the last decade, and featured top-notch performances from stars like Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, and Thandiwe Newton,Westworldcouldn’t stay alive long enough to reach a satisfying conclusion. However,Apple TV+’s new sci-fi series about robots may be the perfect replacement forWestworldfans, if its high ratings onRotten Tomatoesare anything to go by.
Murderbot Is Another Great Robot-Centered Sci-Fi Show Like Westworld
The Sci-Fi Comedy Has A Certified Fresh Rating On Rotten Tomatoes
Based on a series of novellas by Martha Wells, Apple TV+’sMurderbotstars Alexander Skarsgård as a Security Unit, or SecUnit, who secretly hacked into its government module to gain full autonomy. While working for a group of scientists on a deserted planet,the robot hides its true nature from those it is meant to protect, preferring to watch space soap operas rather than turn openly against its human masters.
While only in its first season, the sci-fi comedy has everyone singing its praises.Murderbothas a currentRotten Tomatoesscore of 97%, and has been hailed asone of the best sci-fi titles currently on Apple TV+. Although the tone ofMurderbotis much lighter thanWestworld, both shows have robots gaining sentience who question their sense of morality and their relationship with humanity.
Why Westworld Was Canceled By HBO After 4 Seasons
The Show Lost Viewership Numbers And Its Quality Dropped
Adapted from the Michael Crichton film from 1973,Westworldgained both critical acclaim and huge viewership numbers when it first aired on HBO in 2016. Fans praised the show for its unique blend of surreal sci-fi and Wild West elements, as well as the superb performances of the cast. Unfortunately, what was once considered asci-fi masterpiece went downhill after season 1, resulting inWestworld’s cancellation in 2022.
Although the creators had initially signed on for six seasons ofWestworld,declining viewership and poor critical reception left HBO no choice but to pull the plug.Westworldseason 1 reportedly brought in 12 million viewers, but by season 4, viewership was down to just 4 million (viaHollywood Reporter).Although part of the blame could be placed on the 2020 pandemic (which caused a 3-year delay between seasons 3 and 4), there’s no denying thatWestworldlost something special along the way.
Westworld & Murderbot Have A Great Casting Connection
Although the cast ofMurderbotis minimalist compared to the large number of actors inWestworld,the two shows have another link between them via the Skarsgårds brothers. Alexander, who is best known for his villainous roles on HBO’sTrue Bloodand inSuccession,is the star ofMurderbot.Meanwhile, his brother, Gustaf Skarsgård, appears inWestworldseason 2, playing Karl Strand, the head of Delos security.
Both Alexander and Gustaf come from a prestigious acting family, beginning with their father, Stellan Skarsgård, who played scientist Erik Selvig in several movies within the MCU. Yet another famous Skarsgård isBill Skarsgård, known for his horror roles as Pennywise inItandIt: Chapter 2,and as Count Orlok in 2024’sNosferatu.The youngest of the Skarsgård clan, Valter Skarsgård, is also an actor, recently appearing in the Swedish crime drama,Beck.Murderbotis worth checking out to scratch yourWestworlditch.
Westworld
Cast
Westworld is a television series set in a futuristic Wild West-themed amusement park where advanced android hosts cater to human guests’ desires. The series explores the themes of artificial consciousness and human morality as the lines between reality and artificiality begin to blur.
Murderbot
Murderbot, released on July 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.
