If you’re a fan of sci-fi series and love a mix of humor and futuristic drama, Murderbot on Apple TV+ is worth checking out. Created by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz, the show is based on All Systems Red, the first book in Martha Wells’ popular series The Murderbot Diaries.
At NetFilming, we understand how critical the filming locations are for bringing a story to life, as in a high-tech futurist story set in space. Therefore, we aim to provide a detailed account of the filming locations for Murderbot, emphasizing how each location contributed to the distinctive aesthetic of the show.
What Is Murderbot About?
Murderbot is a story of a rogue AI security robot also known as a SecUnit. It hacks its own programming and with it bestows free will on itself to make its own decisions. Contrary to what would be expected from a protection (and potential destruction) robot, this SecUnit prefers to kill no one; instead, she studies human behavior and watches soap operas.
Murderbot is set in a futuristic world where humans embark on space exploration and colonize other planets. Things get complicated, though, when the SecUnit tries to conceal its secret identity while going about its work. The show is a blend of action, comedy, and emotional scenes, with trust, identity, and freedom being some of the central themes.
Where Was Murderbot Filmed?
The filming of Murderbot took place in Toronto, Vancouver, and Elora in Canada. The production kicked off in March 2024 and continued for over three months, wrapping up by the end of June 2024. Each location played a key role in building the show’s sci-fi universe.
Toronto, Ontario—The Main Filming Hub
Toronto served as one of the primary shooting locations for Murderbot. This city has a long-standing reputation in the film industry and is often called “Hollywood North.”
The production team used several parts of Toronto to shoot both indoor and outdoor scenes. Its modern architecture and top-notch production facilities made it perfect for building the show’s futuristic settings. Some scenes were reportedly filmed at York University Subway Station in North York. With its sleek, curved design and glass features, the station fit perfectly into the show’s sci-fi world.
Toronto also offers attractive tax incentives for filmmakers, which helps in large-scale productions like Murderbot. The city’s many sound stages and production centers gave the team plenty of room to create custom sets, use green screens, and manage post-production work efficiently.
Other well-known projects filmed in Toronto include Another Simple Favor, Overcompensating, and Bet. The city also boasts landmarks like the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Kensington Market, and Ripley’s Aquarium — although most of Murderbot keeps the focus on high-tech, space-inspired visuals.
Vancouver, British Columbia—A Visual Match for Alien Worlds
Vancouver was also another primary filming location for Murderbot. Like Toronto, Vancouver is a common site for filming sci-fi and fantasy movies and television series due to its contemporary skyline, natural beauty, and sophisticated filming infrastructure.
For the purpose of visual storytelling, the production used a city with clean lines, modern-style architecture and urban design, which allowed alien yet believable worlds to be showcased.
In addition to the sci-fi series, Vancouver has been the setting for other Apple TV+ shows like See, Government Cheese, Home Before Dark, and even The Last of Us. Though most of the city is dominated by tourist spots such as Stanley Park, Gastown, and Science World, much of Murderbot focuses on its fictional sci-fi universe rather than real-world locations.
Elora, Ontario—Natural Beauty for Outdoor Scenes
To add variety and realism to the show, some outdoor scenes were filmed in Elora, a small community in Ontario’s Centre Wellington township. The production team filmed at the Elora Quarry Conservation Area, a stunning natural location with a water-filled limestone quarry and dramatic 40-foot cliffs.
This area added an entirely different visual texture to Murderbot. Whether used as part of alien terrain or futuristic landscapes, the quarry’s natural setting helped balance the show’s digital and studio-made visuals.
The Elora Gorge and Grand River also run through this area, offering scenic backdrops. This spot has even been used in big productions like the It movies, proving its versatility for cinematic storytelling.
Behind the Scenes of Murderbot: Crafting a Unique Sci-Fi Experience
Apple TV+’s Murderbot was both an exhilarating and complicated blending of practical sets, actual filming locations, and innovation in technology to capture a one-of-a-kind science fiction universe. It was filmed in Toronto, Vancouver, and Elora from March to June of 2024 under the supervision of Chris and Paul Weitz. The brothers brought on a new grounded style, which Chris explained during a 2025 interview: “We wanted Murderbot to feel real, not like another glossy sci-fi.” Using real locations like Elora’s quarry gave us that raw edge.” Actor Alexander Skarsgård, who voices Murderbot, praised the collaborative vibe: “The set was alive with creativity—everyone brought their A-game.”
Chris Weitz noted, “You’ve just got this kind of tuning fork of tone in your mind, and things either fit or they don’t.” The production team worked closely with author Martha Wells, who served as a consulting producer. Paul Weitz mentioned, “If we were adding something… she was available to us to bounce ideas off of, to read scripts, to give us ideas if she didn’t like the ideas that we were having.”
The ensemble cast also contributed to the show’s dynamic. David Dastmalchian, who plays Gurathin, praised Skarsgård’s performance, humorously noting, “Getting choked by Alexander Skarsgård… it’s pretty dreamy.”
The team used green screens sparingly, focusing on tangible sets to immerse the cast, including Noma Dumezweni and David Dastmalchian, in the story. This approach, paired with vibrant virtual stages for the show’s fictional soap opera, made Murderbot a visual standout.
Murderbot Official Trailer
If you haven’t watched Murderbot yet, now’s a great time to dive in.
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