David Dastmalchian in ‘Murderbot.’ May 16, 2025 on Apple TV+.
David Dastmalchian chatted about starring in “Murderbot,” which will premiere globally on May 16th on Apple TV+.
Background on ‘Murderbot’
This sci-fi series is based on the award-winning, bestselling book series by Martha Wells. “Murderbot” follows a rogue security unit as it searches for the meaning of life.
The synopsis is: It’s rogue. It’s powerful. It would rather be watching TV. In a high-tech future, a rogue security robot (Alexander Skarsgård) secretly gains free will.
To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet…even though it just wants to binge soap operas.
Most recently, on Monday, April 28th, Apple TV+ hosted the “Murderbot” red carpet premiere at Regal Union Square in New York City.
Dastmalchian on his ‘Murderbot’ experience
On his experience making “Murderbot,” he shared, “Being a part of ‘Murderbot’ felt like all my science fiction nerd dreams coming true.”
“Getting to tell an epic story that is so complex and human, and it deals with all of these issues that are so relevant right now including our collective fear and fascination with AI,” he elaborated.
“Then, I got to play a character unlike any other character I’ve gotten to play before. This augmented human is not a Mentat like my character in ‘Dune’ and he’s not like anything I’ve ever played before,” he elaborated.
“It was a true privilege. I am so lucky,” he added.
Working with Alexander Skarsgård
On working with lead actor and executive producer Alexander Skarsgård, he said, “I’ve worked with his father before. When I was in ‘Dune,’ his father, Stellan Skarsgård, played Baron [Vladimir] Harkonnen. It was an incredible experience working with his dad. I’ve been a fan of Alexander, his father, and brother, ever since I saw them on-screen.”
Dastmalchian continued, “I show up the first time I get to meet him and he is a gentle, caring, incredible collaborative soul who gives you everything you need, and every time they yell ‘action,’ it never going to be the same take.”
“Alexander is constantly in the moment and making discoveries,” he admitted. “He is giving you a feast to feed on as a scene partner. I am there to really facilitate his journey. I am not the star of the show; he is.”
“My job is to push his character in uncomfortable places and yet he was constantly pushing me and making me a better actor. That is how generous he is,” he added.
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, he said, “One of the things that can feel overwhelming at times and intimidating is that we live in a saturated entertainment landscape where the market is completely flooded on a daily basis with so much content.”
“There is so much to choose from,” he admitted. “There are so many voices trying to tell you ‘watch this or watch that,’ and in the middle of all of it is this incredible service and movement that is Apple TV+.”
“They are creating a space where stories that don’t fit within the boxes that we are used to are getting to be told, getting to shine, getting the support they need to be told properly, and then, they just put them out for people, to come and take a look at them,” he elaborated.
“It’s a really exciting time and I feel so lucky and privileged to get to be a part of the Apple family, at this moment, where they are really solidifying their position as a place where you can tune in and see something that is so well-executed with such complex ideas,” he explained.
“There is so much entertainment value and it’s like going to the movies. This is the quality and caliber of storytelling that we expect when we go to the big cinema,” he acknowledged.
Dastmalchian furnishes his advice for young and emerging actors
For young and aspiring actors, he said, “Really train! If you really love being an actor, then take every opportunity you can to act. There is a community theater in your neighborhood right now you could be auditioning for. There is storefront theatre, there are short films and there are a million ways.”
“If you want to be a movie star or if you want to be famous, then go with God; I don’t know how to make that happen. If you want to be the star of the next streaming show, I honestly don’t know how to do that,” he explained.
“I really think that an actor’s journey is about the work, and you find the joy and satisfaction it takes in doing the work. Memorizing text and learning how to recreate and manifest emotional states of being,” he elaborated.
“Also, taking classes and being on stage for 25 people is where you learn how to communicate and never give up,” he acknowledged.
“If you really believe it, you really love it, then you’re willing to work whatever job you’ve got to work to pay the bills so that you can go at night, which I did for years. I did theatre for no money because it is what I loved to do,” Dastmalchian concluded.
To learn more about actor David Dastmalchian, follow him on Instagram.
Content shared from www.digitaljournal.com.