Apple TV’s sci-fi shows have stood out for their big-budget productions, stunning cinematography, high concepts, complex world-building, and great casts, turning the platform into a go-to one for fans of the genre. One of Apple TV’s best current sci-fi shows is Foundation, based on Isaac Asimov’s novel series. Foundation premiered in 2021 to great success, with each season being better than the previous one. At the time of writing, Foundation is preparing for its fourth season.
Despite being its own universe, Foundation shares some traits and themes with two of the biggest sci-fi franchises: Star Trek and Star Wars. Foundation has the themes of humanity and its exploration of Star Trek, as well as the political games and battles of Star Wars. Foundation brings together the best elements of sci-fi space shows, earning its place as one of the best sci-fi shows in recent years.
Foundation Is One Of The Best Sci-Fi Shows Of The Decade
Created by David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman, Foundation takes its audience into the far future. In it, most of the galaxy is ruled by a triumvirate of totalitarian leaders known as the Empire. This empire is the genetic dynasty of clones of the deceased Emperor Cleon, and it's formed by Brother Day, who is Cleon in his prime; Brother Dusk, an aging Cleon; and Brother Dawn, a young Cleon who is set to succeed Brother Day.
Prodigy Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) wins a contest by solving a complex mathematical proof designed by mathematician and psychology professor Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) to find other minds who can understand his work. Seldon has used psychohistory to predict the collapse of the Empire, which will trigger a 30,000-year dark age. To shorten this catastrophic period, Seldon plans to establish the Foundation, a colony to preserve collective knowledge and build the basis for a new civilization.
Foundation has been praised for its themes, tone, production value, performances, and world-building, quickly ranking among the best sci-fi TV shows of all time. Foundation is an impressive achievement as it has successfully adapted a series of novels that have been labeled as “unadaptable”, and it has done so with high narrative and visual quality, as well as substance and depth. However, Foundation has also made room for changes and additions to Asimov’s works, making it even more unique but without losing the source material’s essence.
Foundation’s themes of science, power, free will, faith, and more further elevate the show and, along with its complex characters, politics, societal issues, and more, make the show a unique sci-fi experience that every fan of the genre should go through.
What Will Foundation Season 4 Be About?
Foundation season 3 was released in 2025 to great success, though it received some notes from critics about its sometimes messy plot. Still, season 3 was successful enough for Apple to grant Foundation a fourth season. At the time of writing, Foundation is currently filming season 4, and it’s expected to wrap production this month. However, Foundation season 4 doesn’t have a projected release date yet.
As for the plot of Foundation season 4, the new episodes are expected to pick up where season 3 left off and explore the fallout of the Empire, as well as the threat of The Mule and the introduction of the Anti-Mules. Foundation still has a lot more to explore, and hopefully, season 4 will continue on the path of success that the previous seasons paved for it.
Release Date
September 23, 2021
Network
Apple TV+
Showrunner
David S. Goyer
Directors
Alex Graves, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Phang, Mark Tonderai, Andrew Bernstein
Writers
Jane Espenson, Leigh Dana Jackson, Liz Phang, Eric Carrasco, David Kob, Addie Manis, Marcus Gardley, Lauren Bello, Olivia Purnell
English (US) ·