Alexander Skarsgård Ruined ‘Murderbot’ Finale Scenes with Tears
Alexander Skarsgård on Murderbot’s Emotional finale and the “Goodbye” That Almost Broke Him
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The Actor Reflects on a Pivotal Scene and the Uncertainty of a Second Season
In the heart-wrenching finale of Murderbot, titled “The Perimeter,” the titular SecUnit makes a profound decision to forge its own path, choosing independence over continued reliance on the human team it has fiercely protected. This pivotal moment culminates in a poignant exchange with gurathin, its former adversary turned reluctant ally, played by David Dastmalchian. Alexander Skarsgård, who not only portrays the enigmatic Murderbot but also serves as an executive producer on the series, recently sat down with Collider to delve into the emotional weight of that final scene and the personal impact it had on him.
A Farewell That Hit Too Close to Home
The scene in question sees Murderbot, in its characteristic, understated manner, revert to a phrase it frequently used during its service: “I need to check the perimeter.” For Skarsgård, this wasn’t just a line of dialog; it was a deeply emotional farewell, amplified by the genuine camaraderie that developed among the cast and crew during the six months of filming.
“To have that scene with David and to say, ‘I need to check the perimeter,’ just felt very emotional because we all became very close over the course of those six months of shooting the season,” skarsgård shared. He admitted that the uncertainty of a second season loomed large, making the moment feel like a genuine goodbye. “Obviously, when you do a show, you don’t know if you’re going to get picked up for a second season, so you don’t know if you’re going to have an opportunity to come back and do it all again, or if this realy is goodbye. so, it was a very emotionally charged moment.”
Holding Back the Tears
Skarsgård revealed the surprising difficulty he faced in delivering the scene, a testament to the deep connection he felt with his character and the shared experience of filming. While actors often strive to evoke emotion through tears, Skarsgård found himself fighting to keep them at bay.
“Murderbot obviously doesn’t cry,but I was really struggling,” he confessed. “Frequently enough, as an actor, you try to get those tears, but this is very much the opposite, where I was desperately trying to keep them in. I blew a couple of takes because I started crying-because it really got to me, that moment with David. It really moved me.”
What Lies Ahead for Murderbot
As fans now know, Murderbot has indeed been renewed for a second season. However, given Murderbot’s departure into the unknown at the end of season one, it’s highly probable that a new ensemble of characters will join the narrative, accompanying the SecUnit on its solo adventures. Skarsgård’s heartfelt performance in that final scene, though, has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on viewers, setting a high bar for what’s to come.
You can catch up on all the thrilling episodes of Murderbot season one, available now on Apple TV+.