Foundation season 3 cast: Full list of actors in Apple TV+ sci-fi epic
The universe is on the brink as the celebrated series returns.
Epic sci-fi drama Foundation is making its long-awaited return to Apple TV+ this month, with fans thrilled to have the lavish Isaac Asimov adaptation back on their screens.
Once again, Jared Harris, Lou Llobell and Lee Pace lead a stacked ensemble cast manoeuvring their pieces around a galactic chess board as they seek to avert an utter catastrophe.
Each and every decision carries more weight this season, with legendary villain The Mule (played by Pilou Asbæk) on the move, ready to tear down the fragile status quo – unless Gaal Dornick (Llobell) can stop him.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Harris teased that his mathematic genius Hari Seldon, who mentors Gaal, will be co-operating fully as the stakes reach their highest point yet.
He explained: "I was tired with the idea of Hari blindsiding Gaal all time, we'd done that already... It's more interesting to see that they're working together rather than working against each other, because I feel like we've done that already."
If you're excited to delve back into the rich world of Asimov's seminal fiction, read on for your introduction to the Foundation season 3 cast.
Foundation season 3 cast: Full list of actors in Apple TV+ sci-fi epic
Here's an overview of the Foundation season 3 cast – read on for more detailed profiles on the key characters and the actors playing them, including where you might have seen them before.
- Jared Harris plays Hari Seldon
- Lou Llobell plays Gaal Dornick
- Laura Birn plays Demerzel
- Lee Pace plays Brother Day
- Terrence Mann plays Brother Dusk
- Cassian Bilton plays Brother Dawn
- Pilou Asbæk plays The Mule
- Alexander Siddig as Dr Ebling Mis
- Troy Kotsur as Preem Palver
- Cherry Jones as Foundation Ambassador Quent
- Synnøve Karlsen as Bayta Mallow
- Cody Fern as Toran Mallow
- Brandon P Bell as Han Pritcher
- Tómas Lemarquis as Magnifico Giganticus
- Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing as Song
- Leo Bill as Mayor Indbur
Jared Harris plays Hari Seldon
Who is Hari Seldon? Hari is a mathematics genius who has developed a scientific way of peering into the future, which has warned him of cataclysmic events poised to plunge the universe into a new dark age. He is seeking to prevent this disaster from occurring, but has struggled to alter the course thus far.
What else has Jared Harris been in? Harris has delivered acclaimed performances in numerous high profile projects, including Mad Men (as Lane Pryce), The Crown (as King George VI) and chilling miniseries Chernobyl (as Valery Legasov). He's also known to sci-fi and fantasy fans, thanks to roles in The Expanse, Morbius and Carnival Row.
Lou Llobell plays Gaal Dornick
Who is Gaal Dornick? Gaal is Hari's protegé, who is also extraordinarily gifted in mathematics, despite hailing from a planet where education is strictly prohibited. In season 3, Foundation star Jared Harris told RadioTimes.com that Gaal and Hari will be closer to being "equals" than ever before, explaining that he "tired" of the character hiding information from his student.
Llobell also alluded to an evolution of the character in an interview with TechRadar, saying: "Gaal has grown so much, and you see her really take a massive leap into this new role as a leader and someone who's going to sacrifice everything to make sure the plan stays on track and that The Mule is stopped."
What else has Lou Llobell been in? Llobell is principally known for her role in Foundation, but did also star in 2021 sci-fi thriller Voyagers, which followed space colonists on an ill-fated mission.
Laura Birn plays Demerzel
Who is Demerzel? Demerzel is an android – one of the last in existence following a devastating war – who currently holds a senior position in the household of the Emperors.
Speaking to Reactor Magazine about season 3, actor Laura Birn said: "She's very human in many ways; in the way she's able to feel regret and love. But what makes her different is that she doesn't operate from a place of ego.
"And now we have The Mule, who also operates very strongly from ego and trauma and everything, so that makes her very special in between all these characters and the way they make decisions."
What else has Laura Birn been in? Most recently, Birn appeared opposite Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs in 2024's The Crow, which arrived 20 years on from the better-known Brandon Lee original. Other credits include Liam Neeson's A Walk Among the Tombstones and Netflix thriller The Innocents.
Lee Pace plays Brother Day
Who is Brother Day? Brother Day is the Emperor of the Galactic Empire. He and his two fellow clones, Brother Dawn and Brother Dusk, are all derived from the genetic material of the original Emperor Cleon. However, the cracks are starting to show in their rule, with Day entering a hedonistic, unkempt phase that doesn't exactly align with the high-stakes peril of the era.
"He's basically saying the pressure that you expect me to take on, I don't want it. I don't care. You want me to do this? I don't. I’m not going to show up," says Pace (via Reactor).
What else has Lee Pace been in? Pace developed a following in the late 2000s for his performance in offbeat cult comedy-drama Pushing Daisies, where he starred opposite Anna Friel. He went on to lead AMC drama Halt and Catch Fire. Pace joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014 as cosmic villain Ronan the Accuser, who debuted in Guardians of the Galaxy and reappeared in 2019's Captain Marvel.
Terrence Mann plays Brother Dusk
Who is Brother Dusk? Brother Dusk is the oldest of the three Emperor Cleon clones. He is seemingly close to death and thus hellbent on shoring up the safety of the Galactic Empire as his legacy – at virtually any cost.
What else has Terrence Mann been in? In addition to a prominent theatre career, Mann is known for screen roles in Netflix's Sense8 and The Dresden Files.
Cassian Bilton plays Brother Dawn
Who is Brother Dawn? The youngest of the three Cleon clones. In season 3, he is entering into something of a rebellious phase, reaching for greater power as he prepares to transition into the role of Brother Day.
What else has Cassian Bilton been in? Bilton is a newcomer, with Foundation marking his first major screen credit besides well-received short film Shoal.
Pilou Asbæk plays The Mule
Who is The Mule? The Mule is a key antagonist in the Foundation saga, who finally steps to the forefront in the season 3. He's on a collision course with Gaal Dornick and, if she fails to defeat him, could cause immense damage to the universe. The character was portrayed in season 2 by Sex Education alum Mikael Persbrandt.
What else has Pilou Asbæk been in? The Danish actor is probably best known for roles in political thriller Borgen and fantasy epic Game of Thrones, where he played Euron Greyjoy. You may also recognise him from blockbuster films Ghost in the Shell, Uncharted or Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Asbæk also co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, when it was held in Denmark's capital of Copenhagen.
Foundation season 3 premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday 11th July 2025. New episodes weekly.
Add Foundation to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
