Like the buzz around strings such as Basis, For All Mankind, the surprise hit Silo, and in a sense Separation, Apple TV+ has become a reference point for sci-fi enthusiasts. The opening headline is especially ambitious: an adaptation of Asimov’s sprawling epic that blends the author’s grand ideas with a bold budget, adventurous energy, and a sweeping cinematic vision.
Let’s recap for newcomers to Foundation. In the early era of a declining Galactic Empire, mathematician Hari Seldon (played by Jared Harris) develops Psychohistory, a statistical science that predicts humanity’s future and the dark era that will last for thirty thousand years after the Empire’s fall. Seldon faces scrutiny as a traitor because his forecasts are grim, yet he secures approval to implement a Galactic Encyclopedia plan on the distant world Terminus, a move that could shorten the coming crisis to about a millennium.
Season two continues the story 138 years later: Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell), Hari’s apprentice, and Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey), the guardian of Terminus, step into the foreground. The Genetic Dynasty, led by Brother Dia, remains in a fragile state of decay, vulnerable to internal machinations from a vengeful queen. The saga expands as the foundations of the Galactic Realm begins to take shape, including the emergence of a Galactic Spirit Church.
own gravity weight
Fans who know Foundation from Isaac Asimov’s trilogy or the serialized space epic will recognize the familiar threads. David S. Goyer, the showrunner and co-creator, previously collaborated with Christopher Nolan on the Batman scripts. He notes in a recent interview that the new season stays surprisingly faithful to the source material in several respects. The Galactic Spirit Church remains part of the canon, and characters inspired by Belisarius, such as the merchant Hober Mallow and General Bel Riose, make their presence felt. The trio of Asimov’s robotics laws is given thoughtful nods, appearing with purpose in key chapters. Yet the show also asserts its own distinctive voice, much like a modern film franchise carving its own path while honoring its roots.
In the previous season, some major players were reframed in gender roles or reimagined within the Genetic Dynasty. A fresh cohort joins the cast, including Rachel House as a character who anchors the origins of the Second Foundation and its psionic powers. A newly introduced guardian of Terminus, Jaegger Fountain, appears, played by Holt McCallany, known to audiences from Mindhunter. The creator hints at two roles he considered for McCallany but chose to forge a larger, more consequential presence for him in the show, portraying a guardian of Terminus with a bold, distinctly American flavor.
an overwhelming vision
The scale of Foundation’s storytelling invites comparisons to cinematic heavyweights. The show is described as aiming for a wide, immersive scope with influences from Christopher Nolan, Stanley Kubrick, Denis Villeneuve, as well as David Lean, John Huston, and Terence Malick. The production team emphasizes practical, on-camera work and tactile realism, with an intent to capture a truly cinematic texture. The director compares the approach to a philosophy: prioritize real sets and tangible effects over extensive LED backdrops, grounding the fantasy in something feelable and authentic.
Filmmaker insights reveal that shoots extend to striking locations in the Canary Islands, where desert-like lava fields and other dramatic landscapes become integral to the world-building. The portrayal of clergy from the Galactic Spirit Church and their ceremonial scenes benefit from these bold locations, lending a visceral layer to the story. The team notes influential artists whose legacy informs the visual language, underscoring a commitment to a grand, painterly realism.
cold war again
What appears as escapist fantasy can reflect real-world tensions. The creators stress that the intention isn’t to push a political agenda, but to acknowledge that writers and showrunners live in a world shaped by current events. In their view, history often repeats itself in cycles, and the show’s narrative echoes that sense of recurring conflict. The creators point to the moment when events reminiscent of a cold war era surface, drawing parallels to past upheavals and the original science fiction premise about civilization’s fragility. This reflective thread serves as a reminder that fiction can mirror the patterns of history without dictating a message.