- Foundation has been officially renewed for Season 4 on Apple TV+
- Filming begins in early 2026 with a likely release in mid to late 2027
- Main cast including Jared Harris and Lou Llobell will return, while Demerzel is gone for good
- The Mule’s rise, the Second Foundation, and a darker Empire will drive the story
Apple TV+ has officially renewed Foundation for a fourth season, confirming that its most ambitious space saga is not drifting into the void just yet. Based on Isaac Asimov’s legendary series of novels, the show has already delivered three seasons of sprawling political intrigue, mind-bending timelines, and characters who either bend history to their will or get crushed beneath its weight.
The renewal means we will see more of Hari Seldon’s psychohistory, the ever-fractured Galactic Empire, and the dangerous rise of The Mule. But if you are hoping for a new season next year, prepare to wait. Production will not begin until early 2026, which makes a 2027 release the earliest realistic window. Until then, here is everything we know about the future of Foundation, with a bit of reporter’s speculation sprinkled in.
The Release Date Black Hole Nobody Escapes
Fans who were praying for a quick return are going to have to practice patience worthy of a psychohistorian. Filming is confirmed to start in early 2026, which already places the premiere deep into 2027. Post-production for a show like Foundation is not just about editing dialogue scenes.
This is a series that requires vast digital landscapes, enormous starships, and a galaxy’s worth of visual effects. Each season has historically taken close to two years to complete, even before factoring in disruptions like the pandemic or strikes.
In plain English: do not expect Foundation Season 4 before mid 2027. And if you are the cautious type, mark your calendar for late 2027 instead.
The Cast: Who Survives, Who Is Toast, And Who Might Cheat Death
One of the joys (and heartbreaks) of Foundation is watching characters return in strange new forms, or not at all. The confirmed list of returning actors is strong. Jared Harris will once again embody Hari Seldon, Lou Llobell returns as Gaal Dornick, and Terrence Mann reprises his chilling role as Brother Darkness.
Expect also to see Synnøve Karlsen as Bayta Mallow, Cody Fern as Toran Mallow, and Cherry Jones as Ambassador Quent. Alexander Siddig, Tómas Lemarquis, Troy Kotsur, Brandon P Bell, and Rowena King are all lined up to continue their journeys across the fractured galaxy.
The bigger question is who will not be back. Laura Birn’s Demerzel met a dramatic and seemingly final end in the Season 3 finale, so her absence feels nearly certain. Lee Pace and Cassian Bilton, longtime faces of the Cleonic dynasty, are less of a sure thing. Brother Darkness destroyed the genetic cloning facility for the Cleons, which cuts off the pipeline for new iterations. While Brother Dawn survived Season 3, his disability and the potential of a time jump could mean Bilton plays him again. If the story jumps far enough, Lee Pace could return in a surprising way.
So if you are still clinging to hopes of more Lee Pace grandeur, keep those fingers crossed but do not expect him front and center.
The Plot: The Mule Is About To Kick Harder
The Season 3 finale did not pull punches. Bayta Mallow was revealed as The Mule, instantly setting her on a collision course with both Gaal Dornick and the remnants of the Empire. This twist catapults the story toward Asimov’s Second Foundation, which still has plenty of narrative threads left to unravel.
On the one hand, the show has been fairly loyal to the skeleton of the books, adapting large sections of Foundation and Empire and Second Foundation already. On the other hand, Apple’s version is not afraid to flex creative muscle. The Empire still exists far longer than it did in Asimov’s timeline. Brother Darkness is building weapons that resemble something out of Star Wars. And the politics of Earth and its Moon are becoming unexpectedly central.
Expect Season 4 to continue walking that tightrope. It will borrow from Asimov while still leaving room for new battles, betrayals, and philosophical arguments about destiny. The central spine will likely be Gaal’s desperate attempt to stop The Mule, Hari Seldon grappling with betrayal and legacy, and the Empire under Brother Darkness transforming into something even more terrifying.
Eight Seasons Or Just Four Seasons And A Movie
When the series first launched, co-creator David S Goyer pitched an eight season arc that would encompass the bulk of Asimov’s original trilogy and its sequel novels. That grand plan now looks uncertain. Goyer stepped aside as showrunner before Season 4, handing the keys to Ian Goldberg and David Kob. Both will serve as co-showrunners and executive producers moving forward.
The change in leadership means the long-term vision may be re-charted. Whether the series makes it all the way to eight seasons or closes shop earlier depends on Apple’s willingness to keep funding one of its most expensive productions.
The Big Wait Ahead And What To Do With It
The toughest part for fans is clear: the long wait. With production starting in 2026, there is a two-year desert to cross before we even see a trailer. In the meantime, speculation is going to run rampant about The Mule’s power, the fate of the Cleons, and whether Earth will step into a central role like in the final Asimov novels.
Until then, all we can do is rewatch, debate, and theorize. For Apple, this renewal is a sign of commitment. Foundation remains a pillar of its science fiction catalog, standing tall alongside For All Mankind and Invasion. For viewers, it means more galactic intrigue is on the horizon, eventually.
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