Apple TV+’s acclaimed sci-fi series Foundation has returned with its third season, captivating audiences with a narrative that feels more relevant today than ever before. Based on the legendary works of Isaac Asimov, this sprawling saga is set tens of thousands of years into the future, where a vast Galactic Empire is ruled by a lineage of clones derived from the original Emperor Cleon. These clones, portrayed by Lee Pace, Cassian Bilton, and Terrence Mann as Brother Dawn, Day, and Dusk, maintain a fragile grip on power across the galaxy.
At the heart of the story is the brilliant mathematician Hari Seldon, played by Jared Harris, who develops the groundbreaking science of psychohistory. This method enables him to predict the inevitable collapse of the Empire, which will plunge civilization into a prolonged dark age. To counter this looming catastrophe, Seldon enlists fellow mathematical prodigy Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) to help establish the Foundation—an interstellar alliance dedicated to preserving human knowledge and culture.
Season three introduces the series’ most formidable adversary yet: the Mule, portrayed by Pilou Asbæk. The Mule is a Mentalic warlord with the uncanny ability to manipulate the wills of others, a power that threatens to upend the delicate balance the Foundation seeks to maintain. This new threat adds a fresh layer of complexity and urgency to the saga, resonating eerily with contemporary concerns about influence and control.
What sets this season apart, according to the cast, is its striking relevance to today’s world. Terrence Mann, who plays Brother Dusk, told Express Online and other media outlets, “What happens in Foundation, for all three seasons, mirrors exactly what’s happening in the world in any given country, or continent, or city, or home, or family, or town. That part of humanity doesn’t change, the dysfunctionality of families, they’re there and we love them and that kind of storytelling has been here as long as the written word.”
Mann’s co-star Cassian Bilton, who portrays Brother Dawn, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the show’s timely exploration of power dynamics. “I think the show this season, more than other seasons, has a very confronting relevance to the world we’re living in right now,” he said. “What we explore this season is the idea that power ultimately shouldn’t be held by one individual for too long.”
Bilton went on to describe the Cleons’ rule as “borderline fascistic,” noting that they are essentially autocrats who cling to power despite lacking democratic legitimacy. “You see across the entire Foundation universe the implications of that, and none of it’s good. It really is war.” This critique of authoritarianism strikes a chord with many viewers, reflecting ongoing global debates about governance, democracy, and the dangers of concentrated power.
The introduction of the Mule brings new themes that resonate deeply with today’s digital landscape. Bilton explained, “Of course it is a science-fiction idea but, I think with the rise of social media and its influence on the way in which we carry out our daily lives and the choices that we make being informed by the time we spend on our phones has echoes in what the Mule is able to do.”
He elaborated, “It’s not so much that he has a very strong army of people with weapons, but he can get in the minds of people. What you’re seeing now, both with the rise of AI and the proliferation of social media globally, is people have a shortcut into your attention and your mind.”
Bilton summed up the modern parallels by stating, “Capitalism has taken over every single land mass in the world and now the thing it’s coming for is the real estate of your mind. That’s echoed in the Mule so I do think there’s a striking relevance this season to the world we’re living in.”
Fans have been quick to praise the season, calling it “magnificent and majestic” and a “groundbreaking adaptation” of Asimov’s original novels. The series continues to draw viewers in with its blend of epic storytelling, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes.
Foundation season three releases new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+. For those interested, Apple TV+ offers a seven-day free trial, with memberships priced at $9.99 per month.
As the series unfolds, it becomes clear that the timeless human struggles with power, control, and survival remain as relevant in a distant galactic future as they are in our world today. With its compelling narrative and profound social commentary, Foundation continues to be a landmark in science fiction television, inviting viewers to ponder the fate of humanity across the stars and within their own lives.
