Foundation fans, rejoice: Season Two is officially on its way, and after a long wait, we're finally getting a sneak peek. In the first teaser trailer for Season Two, we see members of the Foundation grapple with the sacrifices they made in Season One, all while holy war breaks out across the galaxy. Oh, and a shirtless Lee Pace fights someone with a flaming katana!
“We have been so excited to watch global audiences embrace the captivating, suspenseful, and breathtaking thrill ride that is Foundation,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+, announcing Season Two's official green light. “We know how long fans of these beloved [Isaac] Asimov stories have waited to see his iconic work brought to life as a visually spectacular event series, and now we can’t wait to showcase even more of the richly layered world, compelling storytelling and stunning world-building in Season Two.”
If you’re not watching Foundation yet, there’s still time to get caught up. Based on an acclaimed series of novels by science fiction titan Isaac Asimov, the plot chronicles the epic saga of the Foundation, a group of academics exiled to a remote planet who discover that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from a looming dark age is to create the Encyclopedia Galactica, a compendium of all human knowledge. The Foundation faces ten predicted crises; Season One chronicled the first crisis, "Balance of Power," while Season Two will tackle the second crisis, "Religion."
For showrunner David Goyer, adapting Foundation, named the Best All-Time Series at the 1966 Hugo Awards, was the dream of a lifetime. “Since my childhood, I’ve dreamed of how Hari Seldon and Eto Demerzel would look and sound—what Terminus and Trantor would feel like,” said Goyer via the official press release. “Now, with Season Two, our audience will get to visit more of Asimov’s indelible characters and worlds, including Hober Mallow, General Bel Riose, and all the Outer Suns. I’m thrilled that a whole new generation of fans are reading Asimov’s brilliant masterwork. We’re playing the long game with Foundation and I’m grateful to my partners at Apple and Skydance for entrusting me with this epic. Buckle up. We’re about to fold some serious space.”
What Will Happen in Season Two?
Goyer’s comments leave a few clues about what we can expect from Season Two. In a series that spans nearly a millennium, introducing a vast field of characters could get messy, but Season Two will allow Goyer a bigger canvas to spill out on. The official synopsis reads as follows: “Based on Isaac Asimov’s award-winning stories, the monumental adaptation of Foundation chronicles a band of exiles on their unprecedented journey to rebuild civilisation amid the fall of the Galactic Empire. Crucial individuals transcending space and time are faced with deadly crises, shifting loyalties, and complicated relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity.”
According to an announcement from Apple, Season Two will introduce us to a host of new characters, including:
- Brother Constant (Isabella Laughland), a cleric whose job it is to evangelize the Church of the Galactic Spirit across the outer reach.
- Poly Verisof (Kulvinder Ghir), High Cleric of the Church of the Galactic Spirit.
- Queen Sareth (Ella-Rae Smith), queen of Cloud Dominion, who charms her way into the imperial palace on a secret revenge mission.
- Hober Mallow (Dimitri Leonidas), the first non-Foundation protagonist of the series, a master trader summoned against his will to serve a higher cause.
- Bel Roise (Ben Daniels), the last great general of the Superliminal Fleet and would-be conqueror of the Foundation, whose long loyalty to the Galactic Empire is waning.
- Warden Jaegger Fount (Holt McCallany), the current warden of Terminus, taking over from Salvor Hardin.
- The Warlord of Kalgan (Mikael Persbrandt), a man with powerful psychic abilities scheming to take over the galaxy.
- Tellem Bond (Rachel House), mysterious leader of the Mentallics.
- Yanna Seldon (Nimrat Kaur), identity unknown, whose last name alludes to a connection with Hari Seldon.
Goyer has set himself a tough task in organising these many characters, but the Asimov estate has great faith in him.
“David Goyer’s Foundation has surpassed all my expectations by bringing my father’s philosophy and ideas to the screen in ways he could never do while staying true to his work,” said Robyn Asimov, who serves as an executive producer on the series. “I know my father would have been proud to see his iconic story come to life through the show’s visual beauty and the layered characters, understanding full well his words would need this cinematic translation. My father was deeply indebted to his fans, to their loyalty, and always hoped his work would pass through to following generations. The Foundation series is fulfilling his wish (and mine) by introducing his work to a vast array of new readers. Given the cerebral nature of the Foundation books, this series is a tour de force.”
A first look photo also reveals three familiar faces: Hari Seldon, Brother Day, and Demerzel. It's safe to say that these characters will return, even if Hari, now deceased, only makes it onto the screen as a hologram.
When Will Foundation Season Two Air?
Foundation is set to return during Summer 2023. Watch this space for updates as we continue to learn more.
Adrienne Westenfeld is the Books and Fiction Editor at Esquire, where she oversees books coverage, edits fiction, and curates the Esquire Book Club.
