Foundation season 3 release date, trailer and latest news on sci-fi epic
A major time-jump and some new cast members will hopefully make for an exciting third chapter.
Ambitious sci-fi drama Foundation is almost back from its two-year absence, with season 3 set to push the epic adaptation of Isaac Asimov's influential novels into an entirely new era.
More than a century has passed when we reunite with our characters, meaning the universe of the show has changed in profound ways that should be thrilling to uncover.
The synopsis teases that a fragile peace has been brokered between the Foundation and the Cleonic Dynasty's Empire, but that risks being torn asunder by a mysterious warlord known only as The Mule.
The character previously appeared in the second season, where he was played by Sex Education star Mikael Persbrandt, but moving forward Game of Thrones alum Pilou Asbæk will be handling the role – so don't be confused when he pops up again!
Asbæk joins a stellar cast list that also includes Lee Pace, Jared Harris and Leah Harvey among others. Here's everything you need to know about Foundation season 3 on Apple TV+.
Foundation season 3 release date
CONFIRMED: Foundation season 3 will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday 11th July 2025, with episodes due to drop weekly until the finale on 12th September.
The new episodes come almost exactly two years after the previous batch, marking a slightly longer production cycle than usual, owing partly to the 2023 Hollywood strikes and reported budgetary concerns (via The Hollywood Reporter).
The latter issue actually caused series co-creator David S Goyer to step down as showrunner, with producer Bill Bost taking his place as filming resumed in Prague, Czechia, from February 2024.
Hopefully, the behind-the-scenes issues won't stunt Foundation's chances of another renewal, with plenty more material in Isaac Asimov's legendary sci-fi novels to mine from.
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In December 2023, at the time of the show's renewal, Apple TV+ head of programming Matt Cherniss said: "We have all been incredibly impressed with the ambitious, action-packed and imaginative adaptation that David and the rest of this gifted creative team and cast have brought to life with this premium sci-fi series from day one.
"To watch Foundation become such a global hit has been beyond exciting with audiences around the world continuing to be captivated week after week by this dramatic and compelling journey to save humanity. We can't wait for everyone to experience what is in store for characters old and new in season 3."
Foundation season 3 cast: Who will return?
Lee Pace and Jared Harris will reprise their roles as Brother Day and Hari Seldon in Foundation season 3, leading an ensemble cast including a number of new additions.
Joining the saga amid the show's 152-year time-jump are Succession alum Cherry Jones as Foundation Ambassador Quent, Cody Fern (American Horror Story) as Toran Mallow and Brandon P Bell (Dear White People) as Han Pritcher, among others.
There has also been one notable recast in the form of Game of Thrones star Pilou Asbæk, who is taking over the role of The Mule from Sex Education's Mikael Persbrandt, who appeared in four episodes of the second season.
In review, here's the confirmed cast list for Foundation season 3 so far:
- Lee Pace as Brother Day
- Jared Harris as Hariton "Hari" Seldon
- Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick
- Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin
- Laura Birn as Demerzel
- Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk
- Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
- Alexander Siddig as Dr. Ebling Mis
- Troy Kotsur as Preem Palver
- Pilou Asbæk as The Mule (taking over from Mikael Persbrandt)
- 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
Foundation season 3 plot: What is it about?
The official synopsis for Foundation season 3, courtesy of Apple TV+, reveals that the episodes take place a full 152 years after the events of the second chapter.
It reads: "The Foundation has become increasingly established far beyond its humble beginnings while the Cleonic Dynasty's Empire has dwindled.
"As both of these galactic powers forge an uneasy alliance, a threat to the entire galaxy appears in the fearsome form of a warlord known as 'The Mule' whose sights are set on ruling the universe by use of physical and military force, as well as mind control.
The blurb concludes: "It's anyone's guess who will win, who will lose, who will live, and who will die as Hari Seldon, Gaal Dornick, the Cleons, and Demerzel play a potentially deadly game of intergalactic chess."
At the time of the show's renewal for a third season, then-showrunner David S Goyer said he was "thrilled" to continue his ambitious adaptation of Isaac Asimov's "pioneering" novels.
He added: "This time, the stakes for Foundation and Empire are even higher as the Mule takes centre stage, along with fan-favourites Bayta, Toran, Ebling and Magnifico Giganticus."
Foundation season 3 trailer
Apple TV+ released a first-look teaser trailer for Foundation season 3 in May 2025, giving fans a glimpse at the next instalment in the sci-fi saga. Watch here:
Foundation is available to stream on Apple TV+. Sign-up for Apple TV+ for £6.99.
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.
