What book is Murderbot based on?
All Systems Red, book 1 of The Murderbot Diaries, by Martha Wells.
The book behind Murderbot
All Systems Red
2017 · book 1 of The Murderbot Diaries · by Martha Wells
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Should you read it first?
Read All Systems Red before or after season 1, which adapts it. The book series is Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning, and the books continue for seven more titles.
Book vs series
- Season 1 adapts only the first novella, and stretches it across ten episodes, released weekly from May 16, 2025.
- On screen, Alexander Skarsgård plays Murderbot and also executive-produces the series.
- Season 2 is renewed, but the renewal names no book and gives no timeframe for its release.
Which book is each season based on?
| Season | Book |
|---|---|
| Season 1 (2025) | All Systems Red · first novella; ten episodes |
| Season 2 | · renewed July 10, 2025; no premiere date or book named in sources checked |
What to read next
Artificial Condition (2018). Book 2 is the next title in publication order, with Murderbot heading toward the mining facility.
The Murderbot Diaries in order
- 1All Systems Red 2017
- 2Artificial Condition 2018
- 3Rogue Protocol 2018
- 4Exit Strategy 2018
- 5Network Effect 2020
- 6Fugitive Telemetry 2021
- 7System Collapse 2023
- 8Platform Decay 2026