Created by David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman.
Foundation premiered globally on Apple TV+ on September 24, 2021.
Distributed by Apple Inc.
Series Review
Foundation offers a galactic tour de force, blending Asimov’s visionary scope with modern cinematic flair.
Season 1 introduces mathematician Hari Seldon and his predictive science as a dying empire teeters on collapse.
Expect grand world-building, political intrigue among the cloned Cleon emperors, and a young Gaal Dornick discovering her destiny.
Season 2 expands the saga with new worlds and power players like Hober Mallow and Queen Sareth.
The politics deepen, alliances shift, and the Foundation’s survival hinges on cunning and courage.
Season 3 leaps forward into The Mule’s dark reign, pitting Gaal’s secret Second Foundation against a psychic warlord intent on crushing the Plan.
The confrontations are tense, the stakes sky-high, and hope finds purchase in unexpected heroes.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.6/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
• Google Audience Score: 78% liked this TV show
Foundation TV Series Actors
Jared Harris as Hari Seldon
DOB: August 24, 1961
Bio: Acclaimed British actor Jared Harris is celebrated for his award-nominated performances in Chernobyl, Mad Men, and The Crown.
Known for portraying deeply intellectual and emotionally layered characters, Harris brings philosophical weight and emotional nuance to the legendary mathematician Hari Seldon.
Role: Creator of the Seldon Plan, Seldon guides the Foundation against chaos even as his own life hangs in the balance.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–3, appearing in every episode (around 30 chapters)
What to Expect: Stoic wisdom tested by unpredictable forces and moments of quiet desperation when his equations reach their limits.
Favorite Things: Mentoring rising minds, crafting axioms, and quietly observing galactic politics.
Notable Works: Chernobyl, Mad Men, The Crown, The Terror.
Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick
DOB: January 18, 1994
Bio: Born in Zimbabwe and raised between Spain and South Africa, Lou Llobell trained at London’s Drama Centre.
A rising star, she made her television debut with Foundation, quickly gaining recognition for her emotional depth and intelligence on screen.
Role: Math prodigy turned leader of the Second Foundation who confronts psychic threats with courage and compassion.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–3, featured in every episode (around 30 chapters)
What to Expect: Emotional growth from bright outsider to strategic visionary and pivotal resistance against tyranny.
Favorite Things: Unraveling psychohistorical puzzles, forging alliances, and standing firm under pressure.
Notable Works: Foundation (breakout TV debut), Voyagers (2021).
Lee Pace as Brother Day
DOB: March 25, 1979
Bio: Hailing from Oklahoma, Lee Pace trained at Juilliard and quickly gained acclaim with roles in Pushing Daisies and The Fall.
Known for his commanding screen presence and range, he’s played everything from elven kings to cosmic villains.
In Foundation, Pace brings nuanced power to Brother Day, the ruling face of the cloned Cleon dynasty.
Role: The central Cleon clone emperor whose faith in the Seldon Plan crumbles amid rebellion and psychic upheaval.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–3, appearing in every episode (around 30 chapters)
What to Expect: Conflicted leadership, dramatic confrontations with destiny, and the unraveling of an empire from within.
Favorite Things: Wrestling with identity and power, debating policy with siblings, and private moments of doubt.
Notable Works: The Hobbit trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Pushing Daisies.
Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk
DOB: July 1, 1951
Bio: A celebrated actor of stage and screen, Terrence Mann is best known for originating roles in Broadway classics like Cats, Les Misérables, and Beauty and the Beast.
With a commanding voice and regal demeanor, he brings dignity and internal conflict to the role of Brother Dusk.
Role: The oldest Cleon clone who carries the weight of history and wrestles with the empire’s fading glory.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–3, recurring across all chapters
What to Expect: Gravitas in council scenes, reluctant mentorship of Day and Dawn, and poignant reflections on legacy.
Favorite Things: Recounting historical lessons, guiding successors, and safeguarding imperial tradition.
Notable Works: Critters, The Dresden Files, A Chorus Line, Sense8.
Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
DOB: circa 1995
Bio: British actor Cassian Bilton made his breakthrough with Foundation, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a young clone caught between destiny and individuality.
A graduate of drama school in the UK, Bilton brings both innocence and intensity to the role, capturing the tension of youth under totalitarian legacy.
Role: Youngest Cleon clone navigating adolescence under imperial scrutiny and the empire’s unraveling.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–3, featured throughout each season
What to Expect: Personal awakening, forbidden love, and inner conflict that threatens the empire’s structure.
Favorite Things: Pushing boundaries of expectation, forging personal identity, and studying psychohistory.
Notable Works: Foundation (breakthrough role).
Laura Birn as Demerzel
DOB: April 25, 1981
Bio: Laura Birn is a renowned Finnish actress known for her emotionally rich performances in Nordic cinema.
Trained at Helsinki Theatre Academy, she brings quiet power and haunting depth to Demerzel, the enigmatic android at the core of Foundation’s empire.
Role: Demerzel is the last remaining robot from the ancient Robot Wars era, now disguised as a loyal servant to the Cleon dynasty.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–3, all episodes
What to Expect: Calculated counsel, moments of surprising warmth, and the challenge of synthesized identity.
Favorite Things: Balancing protocol with personal conviction and safeguarding the Plan at any cost.
Notable Works: Purge, Helen, Naked Harbour, The Ones Below.
Pilou Asbæk as The Mule
DOB: March 2, 1982
Bio: Danish actor Pilou Asbæk is best known for his magnetic turn as Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.
With a background in intense, morally complex roles, he brings Asimov’s most feared villain to life in Foundation Season 3.
Role: Central villain in Season 3 whose psychic powers threaten to upend the Seldon Plan and conquer worlds.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 3 only, all 10 episodes
What to Expect: Chilling demonstrations of mind control, ruthless ambition, and unpredictable alliances.
Favorite Things: Portraying quiet menace and the eerie calm of unstoppable power.
Notable Works: Game of Thrones, Borgen, Lucy, Overlord.
Alexander Siddig as Dr Ebling Mis
DOB: November 21, 1965
Bio: Sudanese-British actor Alexander Siddig is renowned for his layered performances in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Gotham.
With a commanding intellect and emotional depth, he steps into the role of Dr. Mis, a brilliant yet troubled mind in the psychohistorical world.
Role: As a loyal disciple of Hari Seldon, Dr. Ebling Mis becomes instrumental in decoding the next steps of the Seldon Plan.
But his obsession with uncovering the truth pushes him toward psychological collapse.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 3 only, all 10 episodes
What to Expect: Tense intellectual breakthroughs, moral dilemmas, and emotional unraveling under pressure.
Favorite Things: Delving into predictive science and balancing devotion with self-preservation.
Notable Works: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Gotham, Kingdom of Heaven.
Troy Kotsur as Preem Palver
DOB: July 24, 1968
Bio: Troy Kotsur made cinematic history as the first deaf male actor to win an Academy Award for his role in CODA.
Now, he brings emotional depth and groundbreaking representation to the sci-fi world in Foundation, portraying a psychic leader with extraordinary emotional intelligence.
Role: Psychic leader among Mentalics whose compassion and insight fuel the secret resistance.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 3 only, all 10 episodes
What to Expect: Subtle, expressive performances using sign language, spiritual leadership, and pivotal influence over the fate of the galaxy.
Favorite Things: Communicating through gestures, forging community bonds, and uplifting hidden voices.
Notable Works: CODA (Oscar-winning role), Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Mandalorian.
Synnøve Karlsen as Bayta Mallow
DOB: July 30, 1996
Bio: British-Norwegian actress Synnøve Karlsen rose to prominence in series like Clique and The Great, where her blend of quiet strength and intensity drew critical praise.
In Foundation, she steps into the legacy of the Mallow name with both fire and finesse.
Role: As Bayta Mallow, she is the heir of the famed Mallow clan, a key player in the resistance.
Her intellect and intuition help steer civilization through the chaos of galactic upheaval.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 3 only, all 10 episodes
What to Expect: Fierce determination, clever tactics, and moments of heartfelt sacrifice.
Favorite Things: Balancing duty with compassion and leading with conviction.
Notable Works: Black Cab, Clique, Medici: Masters of Florence.
Cody Fern as Toran Mallow
DOB: July 6, 1988
Bio: Australian actor Cody Fern gained international recognition with standout roles in American Horror Story, House of Cards, and American Crime Story.
Known for portraying complex, brooding characters, Fern brings layered emotional tension to the Mallow legacy in Foundation.
Role: Toran Mallow is Bayta’s brother, a conflicted strategist whose loyalty to family is tested by The Mule’s psychic manipulations and the crumbling order around him.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 3 only, all 10 episodes
What to Expect: Intense family conflicts, shifting allegiances, and personal redemption or ruin.
Favorite Things: Portraying inner conflict and the weight of inherited legacy.
Notable Works: House of Cards, American Horror Story.
Brandon P Bell as Han Pritcher
DOB: January 13, 1985
Bio: Brandon P Bell is best known for his commanding presence in Dear White People and guest roles in Barry and Detroiters.
With a steady, emotionally grounded style, Bell excels in roles that balance duty with internal conflict.
Role: Han Pritcher is a high-ranking Imperial officer whose loyalty begins to falter as he witnesses the empire’s cracks and The Mule’s rise.
Seasons & Episodes: Season 3 only, all 10 episodes
What to Expect: A slow-burning transformation, moments of stoic resolve, and the pain of choosing between honor and truth.
Favorite Things: Exploring duty’s conflict with conscience and loyalty’s price.
Notable Works: Dear White People, Ascension, Hollywood Heights.
More Actors
Season 1 (2021)
• Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin
• Alfred Enoch as Raych Seldon
• Clarke Peters as Abbas Hardin
• T’Nia Miller as Halima
• Kubbra Sait as Phara Keaen
• Mido Hamada as Shadow Master Obrecht
• Amy Tyger as Azura
Season 2 (2023) New Additions
• Isabella Laughland as Brother Constant
• Kulvinder Ghir as Poly Verisof
• Ella‑Rae Smith as Queen Sareth
• Sandra Yi Sencindiver as Enjoiner Rue
• Dimitri Leonidas as Hober Mallow
• Ben Daniels as Bel Roise
• Holt McCallany as Warden Jaegger Fount
• Mikael Persbrandt as The Warlord of Kalgan
• Rachel House as Tellem Bond
• Nimrat Kaur as Yanna Seldon
Season 3 (2025) New Additions
• Cherry Jones as Foundation Ambassador Quent
• Tómas Lemarquis as Magnifico Giganticus
• Rowena King as Kalle
FAQ – Foundation TV Series
How many seasons are planned?
Actor Jared Harris has stated the story is planned across eight seasons, though Apple TV+ has only produced three seasons to date.
Future seasons appear dependent on viewership and creative direction.
When did Season 3 premiere and how is it released?
Foundation Season 3 premiered exclusively on Apple TV+ on July 11, 2025, with new episodes streaming each Friday through September 12, 2025.
Who are the Mentalics featured in Season 3?
The Mentalics are psychic individuals with mind-control abilities. Key members include Gaal Dornick, Salvor Hardin, Tellem Bond, and The Mule.
What alliances shape Season 3?
A key storyline is the secret alliance between Gaal Dornick and Brother Dawn, working to counter The Mule.
What happens to Gaal in Foundation?
Gaal Dornick is exiled from Trantor after discovering Hari Seldon’s psychohistory project.
She later awakens from cryosleep decades in the future, becoming a vital force in shaping the fate of the Foundation and facing off against The Mule.
Conclusion
Foundation stands as one of the most ambitious sci-fi series ever adapted for television.
It combines Isaac Asimov’s legendary ideas with high production values, emotional depth, and stunning world-building.
Each season expands the scope, from the fall of a galactic empire to the rise of rebels and prophets who challenge fate.
The performances, especially by Jared Harris, Lee Pace, and Lou Llobell, ground the series in human emotion even as the story spans centuries and galaxies.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Asimov’s work or new to the saga, Foundation offers a thoughtful, visually rich, and consistently evolving story that explores power, destiny, and survival.
It is not just a series for sci-fi lovers, but for anyone who believes in ideas bigger than themselves.