Murderbot has found a new problem: far too many humans.
Apple TV has added 25 recurring and guest stars to the second season of its science fiction adaptation, led by Steve Buscemi, Wanda Sykes, Michael Sheen and Severance standout Tramell Tillman. The announcement gives Season 2 one of the deepest guest casts on television, even though Apple has yet to reveal who any of the newcomers will play.
The new additions will appear alongside Alexander Skarsgård, who returns as the deeply uncomfortable, entertainment-obsessed SecUnit at the center of Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries.
Who is joining Murderbot Season 2?
The full list reported by Deadline includes several actors who already have strong ties to comedy, science fiction and Apple TV:
- 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
There are plenty of recognizable names in that group. Buscemi is best known for Boardwalk Empire, Fargo and a long list of memorable film roles. Sykes has spent decades moving between stand-up, television and film, while Sheen has recently starred opposite David Tennant in Good Omens. Tillman joins another major Apple series after his fantastic performance as Seth Milchick in Severance.
The list also includes Succession star Nicholas Braun, Ted Lasso co-creator and actor Brendan Hunt, Love Lies Bleeding star Katy O’Brian and comedians Patton Oswalt and Bridget Everett.
The original team is coming back too
Season 2 is not abandoning the PreservationAux crew. Noma Dumezweni will return as Dr. Mensah, joined by David Dastmalchian as Gurathin, Sabrina Wu as Pin-Lee, Akshay Khanna as Ratthi, Tattiawna Jones as Arada and Tamara Podemski as Bharadwaj.
Apple is also bringing back Clark Gregg, John Cho, DeWanda Wise and Jack McBrayer. Those four actors play members of The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, the wonderfully melodramatic show that Murderbot would usually prefer to watch instead of interacting with actual people.
Their return confirms that Sanctuary Moon will remain part of the series. Apple programming chief Matt Cherniss teased more of the fictional show when Murderbot was renewed in July 2025.
What the enormous cast may tell us about Season 2
The first season adapted All Systems Red, the opening novella in Wells’ award-winning series. The next book, Artificial Condition, sends Murderbot away from the comparatively small survey mission of Season 1 and deeper into the wider corporate-controlled universe.
The sheer size of the cast suggests Season 2 may reach beyond a narrow, scene-for-scene adaptation of one novella. That would also give the writers room to keep the PreservationAux characters involved, despite their more limited presence during this portion of Murderbot’s journey in the books.
Production is already underway
Apple renewed Murderbot one day before the first-season finale arrived in July 2025.
Filming on Season 2 was underway by May 2026. In an interview with Awards Buzz, the Weitz brothers said they were on day 11 of a planned 71-day shoot. They also indicated that the new episodes would run slightly longer and feature more ambitious visuals.
The first season has since earned three Emmy nominations, covering title design, sound editing and Amanda Jones’ main title music.
Apple has not announced a premiere date, episode count or official story description for Murderbot Season 2.
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