Foundation season 2: release date, cast, trailer and news
The epic saga continues this month.
Science fiction doesn't get any meatier than Isaac Asimov's Foundation, which is the basis for an ambitious Apple TV+ series of the same name.
The big-budget drama debuted back in September 2021, beginning a millennia-long story of a band of exiles who seek to rebuild civilisation following the fall of the galactic empire.
Foundation season 2 picks up 100 years after the preceding finale, with tensions brewing across the galaxy as the Cleons – a series of genetic clones played by Lee Pace, Terrence Mann and Cassian Bilton – begin to unravel.
Showrunner David S Goyer teased that the latest episodes really hit the ground running, contrasting them with the first season, where a few hours were required simply to set up this incredibly complex universe.
"In season 1, we had expositional burden," he explained to Inverse. "We had to explain psychohistory. Things didn’t really get going for like three episodes. In season 2, we felt really liberated and I felt, frankly, we could have more fun, and we could dig deeper into character."
Here's everything you need to know about Foundation season 2.
Foundation season 2 release date
Foundation season 2 premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday 14th July 2023, with new episodes dropping weekly on the streaming service.
There will be 10 episodes in total, with the finale scheduled to arrive on Friday 15th September 2023.
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Foundation season 2 cast
Jared Harris leads the cast of Foundation as mathematician and psychohistory expert Hari Seldon, with the series described as a chess game between himself and the Empire by showrunner David S Goyer (via The Hollywood Reporter).
The series also stars Lee Pace, Terrence Mann and Cassian Bilton as clones of Cleon I, who go by the name of Brother Day, Brother Dusk and Brother Dawn respectively.
Lou Llobell also features in the key role of Gaal Dornick, protégée to Hari, while Leah Harvey plays her daughter, Salvor Hardin, earning a BAFTA nomination for their performance in the role.
What is Foundation about?
The official synopsis reads: "The monumental adaptation of Foundation chronicles the stories of four crucial individuals transcending space and time as they overcome deadly crises, shifting loyalties, and complicated relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity."
In short, its rather lofty stuff.
Apple TV+ adds that Foundation season 2 will chart rising tension across the galaxy as "a vengeful queen plots to destroy Empire from within", while Hari, Gaal and Salvor will make a startling discovery that could alter the course of history.
Foundation season 2 trailer
Apple TV+ offered a first look at Foundation season 2 in June 2023, which proclaimed that the galaxy was in an "age of darkness". Watch below:
A second trailer followed, showing off more of the drama's stunning visual effects and bold characters. Check it out now:
Foundation season 2 comes to Apple TV+ on Friday 14th July 2023. Subscribe to Apple TV+ for £6.99 per month, with a seven-day free trial.
Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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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.
