A new series based on the iconic sci-fi action thriller franchise RoboCop has been greenlit and its star has been named – here is all we know about the show.
RoboCop was one of the biggest hit sci-fi movie franchises of the late 1980s and early 90s, spawning three movies, as well as video games, animated series and a whole range of merchandise.
Now, capitalising on the ongoing trend for rebooting beloved franchises from the 80s and 90s, Amazon MGM Studios has recently greenlit an eight-episode series of RoboCop, based on the original franchise.
So what is happening with RoboCop – here is all we know about the series.
What will RoboCop be about?
In this new version of RoboCop, which seems to be staying close to the original source material, a giant tech firm convinces a city’s politicians to place a powerful robot onto its police force to deal with the rising tide of violent crime. That robot however is installed with the consciousness of a recently fallen office, Alex Murphy. It then follows his release onto the streets to clean them up, but also asks questions of what it is to be human.
What was the original RoboCop about?
RoboCop was a 1987 movie directed by Paul Verhoeven, and was famed for its violence, but also its sharp satire on corporate greed and privatisation in America and questions about the nature of identity and human versus technology and what the consequences of unchecked corporate power could be. As the official series order description notes, these themes feel more relevant today than ever.
What is the history of the RoboCop franchise?
There is a long history of RoboCop, including TV series and previous reboots. After the original movie was released in, there was an animated TV kids series released in 1988 (it was the 80s). Two movie sequels followed in 1990 and 1993, which were modest successes. There was a first attempt at a TV series in 1994, but it didn’t last long. A second attempt was made in 2001, RoboCop: Prime Directives. That didn’t last long either.
The franchise was then left alone until 2014, when there was a big screen reboot starring Joel Kinnaman. However, it wasn’t a massive success – there was no sequel.
Who is starring in RoboCop?
Deadline revealed that English actor Dan Stevens is taking on the role of Alex Murphy/RoboCop. Dan is known for roles in shows such as Downton Abbey – he played Matthew Crawley from 2010 to 2012 – and movies such as the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast (2017), Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) and The Ritual (2025).
Other names have yet to be confirmed, but the roster will be added to in the coming weeks.
Who is producing RoboCop?
Peter Ocko is writing the series and acting as showrunner and an executive producer. Peter has had a long writing career, starting with shows such as Parker Lewis Can’t Lose and Dinosaurs (kids, ask your parents). More recently, he has worked on shows such as The Office, Pushing Daisies and Moonhaven.
Blumhouse Atomic Monster is the studio involved in its production. Other executive producers include James Wan, Michael Clear, Rob Hackett and Danielle Bozzone, who is overseeing the show on behalf of the company.
Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner, who co-wrote the 1987 movie, are also on board as executive producers.
Where and when will we be able to see RoboCop?
RoboCop will stream on Prime Video. A release date hasn’t been announced as yet, and neither has it been confirmed when production will start. A release date of late 2027 or early 2028 seems likely.
