Murderbot, Apple TV+

In a universe dominated by corporations an independent research exploration team runs into trouble on a remote, uninhabited planet. The Company they are contracted to has supplied the cheapest and shoddiest equipment and this appears to include the cyborg security unit charged with keeping them safe. This particular SecUnit calls itself Murderbot. It has a chequered past, a reserved nature, an addiction to TV drama serials and a dangerous secret. It must decide how much of itself to expose to these unusually pleasant humans in order to protect them. Based on the Martha Wells novellas, this sci-fi series is a faithful adaptation, exciting, funny and sometimes poignant in its short, sharp episodes. Alexander Skarsgard was an interesting casting choice for what is meant to be an androgynous cyborg, but he pulls it off. After all the excitement the final episode is a little anti-climactic, but provides a good lead-in to series 2 – soon please.