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Alexander Skarsgård Had to Spend ‘Several Hours’ Every Day Preparing To Play Murderbot Without CGI. He Told Us Why He Prefers Practical Effects Anyway

BBG News

Be aware that Episode 8 of the first season of Murderbot, titled “Foreign Object,” is filled with spoilers. You can stream this episode if you have an active subscription to Apple TV+.

In the 2025 TV lineup, Murderbot is nearing the conclusion of its first season, and Alexander Skarsgård‘s character, the SecUnit, finds himself increasingly managing the risky behavior of his human companions, which hinders him from indulging in more episodes of Sanctuary Moon. As the story unfolds, we catch glimpses of Skarsgård without his mask, but it doesn’t mean he gets to relax and dress casually like the rest of the cast. Instead, Skarsgård explained that donning the SecUnit suit is a meticulous procedure, and despite the complexity, he prefers using practical effects over a CGI suit.

During my interview with Alexander Skarsgård at the Apple TV+ “Murderbot” press event, I was curious to learn about his perspective on blending practical effects and CGI in a sci-fi production like this one. The actor from “The Stand,” who has strong opinions about Stephen King, provided some insight:

I find practical effects to be quite enjoyable… Earlier, I worked on a film titled “Infinity Pool” alongside Brandon Cronenberg. He has a strong affinity for practical effects as they create a more intense and tangible experience. It’s like stepping into another world and playing with the possibilities, which I find appealing. However, it often involves spending multiple hours in a chair daily. Whenever possible, I much prefer using practical effects over other methods.

The film titled “Infinity Pool” marked another science fiction venture for Skarsgård, deviating significantly from the comedic tone of his previous project, “Murderbot“. In an interview from 2023, the actor revealed a unique scene in “Infinity Pool“, which he described as “exceptionally creative, innovative, and hands-on” to film. Director Brandon Cronenberg was insistent on executing this sequence live on set instead of using CGI during post-production. Skarsgård had dealt with practical effects prior to “Murderbot“, but it appears that the Apple TV+ series demanded considerable perseverance to prepare for the role as SecUnit. He continued by stating:

A significant amount of work was filmed live, as you can see. Of course, not everything was done that way. There were also some visual effects involved, but whenever possible, we opted for practical methods instead. [laughs]

In the series Murderbot, certain aspects, like the colossal alien creatures the team faced on the planet, seem to be computer-generated imagery (CGI). However, I’m now intrigued to learn if there were any real-life effects when SecUnit killed Leebeebee. Despite this, it’s clear that actress Anna Konkle didn’t sustain any injuries during filming, though Alexander Skarsgård shared why she appeared to be in distress on set.

Skarsgård showcased the intricate steps involved in donning Murderbot’s suit during filming of the series. Although the TikTok video lasts less than 90 seconds, it condenses a sixteen-step process (with assistance to pull up the trousers, fasten the armor, and slide into those SecUnit boots) significantly. Here is the quick peek:

@appletv ♬ Murderbot – Apple TV

Undoubtedly, a substantial amount of effort was invested in preparing Alexander Skarsgård to portray MurderBot. However, it appears that he enjoyed at least some aspects of the production process. Come the finale, I can’t help but sympathize with his thirst for water – I certainly would be too! It’s fascinating to note that Skarsgård remained in character as MurderBot throughout the entire season, regardless of whether or not his face was visible. Unlike Pedro Pascal, who stopped wearing the suit on The Mandalorian while still providing the voice for the Star Wars bounty hunter, Skarsgård persisted!

In the final stretch of Murderbot‘s Season 1, we’re left wondering if there will be more adventures ahead. Catch up with the first eight episodes now on Apple TV+, and don’t forget to tune in every Friday for new instalments.

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2025-06-28 03:39

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