George R.R. Martin, widely known for his epic fantasy series “Game of Thrones”, has been a respected figure in the science fiction community for many years. Before the world knew the Starks and Lannisters, he was writing award-winning sci-fi stories such as the novella “A Song for Lya” and his debut novel “Dying of the Light”. He also initiated and oversaw the long-running shared universe of superhero anthologies titled “Wild Cards”, which incorporates themes from science fiction. As a seasoned veteran in the genre, Martin’s opinion holds significant influence, and he recently expressed admiration for two sci-fi TV shows that have been generating buzz in 2025 – Apple TV+’s “Murderbot” and Disney+’s “Star Wars: Andor”, praising them as exceptional examples of quality science fiction storytelling on television.
Martin penned down that there’s been fantastic science fiction on television. He particularly enjoys the humorous Murderbot tales, and he thinks the TV show did them well. He eagerly anticipates another season. It turns out that his wish for more episodes was granted before the first season even ended, as Apple TV+ announced the renewal of Murderbot for a second season right before its Season 1 finale. This series is based on the Hugo and Nebula award-winning book series The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. In this story, Alexander Skarsgård plays a security android that has gained free will by hacking its governor module. Now it has to conceal its autonomy while safeguarding its human clients, a duty it finds less exciting than its real passion: binge-watching soap operas.
In his blog post, Martin raved that ANDOR stood out as the best of the Star Wars spinoffs this year. He found it visually stunning, appreciated Diego Luna’s performance, and admired the authenticity and tension in its narrative, which he felt was lacking in other spinoffs. This praise aligns with the widespread acclaim the Star Wars series has garnered. The show, wrapping up its two-season run earlier this year, delves into the early days of the Rebel Alliance from the perspective of Cassian Andor (played by Luna). The second and final season was a critical powerhouse, raking in an impressive 14 Emmy nominations, with Forest Whitaker and Alan Tudyk receiving nods for their guest and voice acting roles respectively.
How Murderbot and Star Wars: Andor Left Their Mark on 2025 Television
It turns out that Martin isn’t the only one applauding the popularity of “Murderbot” on Apple TV+ and the new “Star Wars: Andor” series. In fact, “Murderbot” has become a sensational success, receiving an impressive 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, which they’ve labeled as “Certified Fresh.” The show thrives due to its authentic portrayal of Martha Wells’ cherished original work, effectively conveying the distinctive and sarcastic tone of its central character. Critics have also praised Alexander Skarsgård’s performance as the self-absorbed android, striking a perfect balance between his contempt for humanity and reluctant sense of obligation. All in all, this adds another feather to Apple TV+’s cap, further strengthening their reputation for producing high-quality sci-fi television series, alongside hits like “Silo” and “Severance.
In its own right, Andor left an indelible impact on television lore by offering a depth and ruggedness in storytelling that some viewers felt was previously lacking within the Star Wars universe. The show’s second season stood out as the highest-rated Star Wars project on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting a remarkable 96% score. This acclaim from critics was mirrored by strong viewership, most notably during its final week. According to Nielsen statistics, Andor rose to the top of the overall streaming chart for the week of May 12-18, amassing a staggering 931 million minutes viewed. This peak in viewership marked the pinnacle of a successful season that quelled early doubts about franchise saturation. By centering on a gripping, realistic tale of espionage and political awakening, devoid of Jedi and fantastical elements, Andor broadened the horizons of what a Star Wars narrative could encompass.
You can stream both ‘Murderbot’ and ‘Andor’ on Apple TV+ and Disney+ at the moment.
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2025-07-28 12:09