We have our first teaser for the upcoming third season of *Foundation*.
After nearly two years since its last installment, the third season of *Foundation*, Apple TV+’s ambitious adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s renowned series, is set to debut. The streaming service has unveiled an energetic teaser that showcases the forthcoming ten-episode season, highlighting the emergence of the Third Crisis, a looming galactic conflict, and a shirtless Lee Pace.
(The following includes some spoilers from the first two seasons.)
David S. Goyer, the showrunner, invested considerable effort in establishing the show’s vast narrative during its first season, a trend that continued in the second season. As is well-documented, the series preserves Asimov’s essential storyline, spanning over multiple planets and a timeline of 1,000 years, all while featuring a diverse ensemble of characters.
At the center of the saga is mathematician Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), whose controversial theory known as “psychohistory” foretells the fall of the Empire, heralding a Dark Age that will last 30,000 years. Seldon’s vision includes establishing a Foundation to safeguard human knowledge, which aims to minimize the Dark Ages to just 1,000 years. He is assisted in this monumental task by his brilliant protégé, Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell).
A notable deviation from the source material involves the representation of the Empire’s leadership, with the introduction of the Cleons—three Eternal Emperor clones: Brother Day (Pace), Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann), and Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton). Each Cleon is a perfected version of the same individual, differing only in age, which fuels both their collaborative strengths and interpersonal tensions. Their protector is the android, Eto Demerzel (Laura Birn), one of the few remaining androids from the ancient Robot Wars, programmed to defend the Cleonic dynasty at all costs.
The culmination of the first season featured a significant time jump of 138 years, while the second season delved into the Second Crisis: the imminent conflict between the Empire and the Foundation, alongside an insidious enemy within the Empire itself. The Foundation adopted religious propaganda tactics to recruit followers, and audiences were introduced to a colony of “Mentalics” endowed with psionic powers.
Although Goyer stepped down as showrunner after the second season, he has remained actively involved with the production. The upcoming third season will also feature another substantial time leap for the Third Crisis.
The official synopsis for the new season reads:
Set 152 years following the events of Season 2, the Foundation has established itself far beyond its initial modest beginnings, while the Cleonic Dynasty’s Empire has significantly weakened. As these two galactic factions attempt to forge a precarious alliance, a formidable new threat emerges in the form of a warlord known as “The Mule”—who aspires to dominate the universe through brute military force and mind control. With key characters like Hari Seldon, Gaal Dornick, the Cleons, and Demerzel embroiled in a treacherous game of intergalactic chess, the outcome remains uncertain for all involved.
Most of the core cast will reprise their roles, including Pace, Bilton, Mann, Harris, Llobell, and Birn, alongside Rowena King portraying the legendary mathematician Kalle. Pilou Asbæk will take on the role of The Mule, initially introduced in the previous season. The third season will also feature new cast members such as Cherry Jones, Brandon P. Bell, Synnøve Karlsen, Cody Fern, Tómas Lemarquis, Alexander Siddig, and Troy Kotsur.
The third season of *Foundation* is set to premiere on July 11, 2025, on Apple TV+, with new episodes scheduled to release weekly until September 12, 2025. A selection of first-look images has been made available in the accompanying gallery below.
Jared Harris returns as Hari Seldon.
The Cleons: Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), Brother Day (Lee Pace), and Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann).
Laura Birn as the android Demerzel.
Lou Llobell as Gaal.
Pilou Asbæk as the Mule.
