Alas, sci-fi fans rejoice! It’s time for a new out-of-this-world experience. Coming this month to AppleTV+ is the science fiction action-comedy, Murderbot. Does this ring a few bells? It may, because this new series is based on the bestselling and Hugo and Nebula Award-winning science fiction series, the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. This isn’t your average robot thriller. In this sci-fi comedy, a self-hacking construct is terrified by human emotion while being fascinated by its vulnerable clients. Murderbot (played by Alexander Skarsgård) must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment. In reality, Murderbot would much rather have some solitude, watch futuristic soap operas, and find where he belongs in the universe.
Meet Noma Dumezweni
Two-time Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Noma Dumezweni plays Murderbot’s closest human friend, Dr. Mensah. Black Girl Nerds got the inside scoop on the production experience straight from the star. Dumezweni discussed preparing for the role, her excitement for fans to watch the series, and the pressures of acting in a series based on a bestseller.
Without revealing too much, what are you most excited for fans to see in Murderbot?
I’m just excited for fans to see Murderbot the series and half our episodes on AppleTV+. For me, I have to say, I had to watch the first couple of episodes a couple of times because I hadn’t seen this before. A comedy, dramedy, sci-fi thing with a lot of the world represented in it. This is extraordinary. We’ve got Alexander Skarsgård and this construct robot being brilliant and very funny. I’m excited just to see that because it’s unlike anything I’ve seen, and I’m very excited to be part of it.
How did you prepare for your role as Dr. Mensah?
That’s always the funny answer for an actor, and for me, it always depends on the room. You learn what you need to do in the room that you’re based in, for me. I have to be open to how the creators are working. I have to be open from theater to TV. For this one, I met the brothers Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz, who created the show. The source material is already there. Like Harry Potter, the source material was already there when I got to play Hermione. So you trust the source material, and Martha Wells has created this beautiful thing. I remember starting to listen to Kevin R. Free’s audiobook just to have a sense of the world, because I love reading, but I also like the sensory when I’m working on something. I remember thinking, his Mensah is not my Mensah, as I’m creating her, so I stopped quite soon after listening to the book. It’s a beautiful read, but I’m not taking that away. What I was creating with Mensah, my intuition was different, if that makes sense. So you just trust what’s on the paper, you trust the directors, you trust the book that’s already there.
Did you feel any pressure in this role since Murderbot is based on Martha Wells’ bestselling and award-winning science fiction series, the Murderbot Diaries?
My shame and my joy: meeting the brothers Paul and Chris, and then they’re creating this story, and then I get the gig, and then I realize it’s based on a book. I’d better read the book now. That was joyous because I didn’t feel that pressure. The pressure begins when you start to stand in front of a camera, you’re there with costume, hair, and makeup. How are we going to create this human? A Black woman in charge of the hair department and the difference that makes when you work in the morning, someone knows how to do your hair, that was amazing.
What is your favorite part about playing Dr. Mensah?
My favorite part of playing Dr. Mensah, and I’ll keep saying it all day today, is the cast. I adore those human beings.
A Journey to Success
There is nothing that the talented South African-British actress can’t do. Talent and success are quite natural to her. In addition to acting in a show based on an award-winning book series, Dumezweni has received a few accolades herself. Dumezweni won an Olivier Award and a Tony Award nomination for portraying Hermione in the Harry Potter and The Cursed Child play.
So what’s next for the Murderbot star?
Dumezweni is set to star alongside Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, and Constance Wu in Bleeker Street’s upcoming rom-com, The Friend. In this romantic comedy, Dumezweni will play Bill Murray’s wife.
So whether she’s on stage or the big screen, Dumezweni is sure to turn heads with her range of character, acting abilities, and spark. Catch her Murderbot debut this month on AppleTV+.
Murderbot is set to premiere Friday, May 16, 2025, on AppleTV+.
