There will be a fourth season of “Foundation.”
Apple TV+ announced Thursday it has decided to renew the popular science fiction series that takes place in a future timeline after humans have expanded throughout the galaxy and beyond.
The announcement came one day before the release of the finale of season three on Apple’s streaming service.
“It’s been fantastic to watch ‘Foundation’ become such a global phenomenon, with fans tuning in from every corner of the world,” head of AppleTV+ programming Matt Cherniss said in a press release. “With each new season, the excitement around this trailblazing sci-fi epic just keeps building due to the bold storytelling and collective artistry of this extraordinarily talented cast and creative team. We’re excited to keep exploring this universe together in season four.”
New leaders taking over production
The show revolves around a galactic empire struggling to preserve its power through the centuries and the alternate organization working to save humanity from a future of darkness foretold by its founder.
In season three, a new threat emerges in the form of a telepathic warlord who goes by the moniker, “The Mule.”
The show is packed with stunning visual effects as the characters jet around the universe in starships, speak to previous versions of themselves and stretch their lifetimes via cryogenic sleep.
Exclusive: Lee Pace Drops a Big Secret in a Pivotal New ‘Foundation’ Episode
“There is no series quite like ‘Foundation,’ and we feel lucky and honored to be carrying the torch forward as co-showrunners into season four,” showrunners and executive producers Ian Goldberg and David Kob said in a press release. “We look forward to continuing the epic, emotional storytelling that defined the first three seasons of the show, and to be working alongside some of the most talented, passionate creative partners in the business.”
Science-fiction and classic literature
“Foundation” is based on the books of Isaac Asimov, a Russian-born writer whose family migrated to the United States in the 1920s.
He went on to become a biochemistry professor but is best known for publishing hundreds of books and stories.
His specialty was science fiction, and the “Foundation” series was his most successful work, being awarded a Hugo Award for best series of all-time in 1966.
The trilogy — which consists of “Foundation,” “Foundation and Empire” and “Second Foundation” — is part of a larger timeline that also includes “Foundation’s Edge,” “Prelude to Foundation” and “Forward the Foundation.”
The other books cover the time before and after the events of the original trilogy.
More about the series
Paramount Television Studios produces the show for Apple’s streaming service, which is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month.
The stars of the show include Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Laura Birn, Cassian Bilton, Terrence Mann and Rowena King.
Season three introduced new characters, including Emmy Award winner Cherry Jones, Brandon P. Bell, Synnøve Karlsen, Cody Fern, Tómas Lemarquis, Alexander Siddig, Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur and Pilou Asbæk.
