Jared Harris Leads the Fight for the Future in Foundation

Apple TV+ released the first official trailer for season 3 of Foundation today. The series will be set around a new Crisis for the galaxy and the introduction of a new character known as “The Mule.” Showrunner David S. Goyer previously said that the new installment would not only expand upon Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy but also delve into the stories from Asimov’s later Foundation novellas, which are the source for “The Mule.”

The first season of the series rewrote some elements of the novels, and it is expected to continue to change Asimov’s work in the future. So far, the first two seasons jumped by large periods between seasons, with season 1 ending 138 years into the future. The second season is divided by a major turning point called the Second Crisis, which followed a shift in power from the Galactic Empire to the Foundation as war loomed in the galaxy. The Foundation began weaponizing the religious feelings of the masses as part of their expansion and growth, and a new colony was formed that was not public knowledge and was a mix of genetically enhanced people with specific powers. This colony is called the “Mentalics,” and they have psionic powers.

Season 3 will jump 152 years ahead in time following the second season. Apple TV+ announced the new installment in April. This jump takes place in what is known as the Third Crisis in Asimov’s literature. “In the time since its inception, the Foundation has become more influential, and its grip on power is firmer than ever. At the same time, the galaxy-spanning Cleonic Dynasty, which has ruled for over a thousand years, is beginning to weaken,” reads the synopsis. “Threatened by civil unrest, the Foundation and the Empire, sworn enemies at the height of the Second Crisis, are now forced to band together to preserve their interests. But the arrival of a single man, a warlord with a terrifying ability to manipulate the most human of things, could very well be the undoing of them both. In Foundation’s season three, “psychohistory” is under threat, and the characters may be forced to ally to stop the new galactic menace known as ‘The Mule.’ ”

Season 3 officially drops on July 11, 2025, and will air new episodes weekly until September 12. Goyer has already confirmed a second season for the series, which will be its final season.

The trailer shows footage from the series and new glimpses of The Mule. The first voice heard in the trailer is Hari Seldon. “Centuries ago, when we foresaw the decline of the galaxy, we built the Foundation to protect civilization. But the darkness was always the point of no return,” Seldon (Harris) says.

Gaal Dornick, who is played by Lou Llobell, follows with the line, “We’re running out of time.”

The Mule is a new character, and he is portrayed by actor Pilou Asbæk. He says in the trailer, “I can make your enemies your friends. Hate into love. It’s all just a matter of a little push.”

The trailer shows chaos as The Mule claims he can control people’s emotions. Explosions, intense battles, and city-sized structures falling to dust are featured in the trailer as well.

Actor Lee Pace, Cassian Bilton, and Terrence Mann return as three genetically-engineered clones of the Emperor: Brother Day, Brother Dawn, and Brother Dusk, respectively. Jared Harris will reprise his role as Hari Seldon, Lou Llobell will be back as Gaal Dornick, and Laura Birn will also return as android Eto Demerzel.

Season 3 also expands the cast, including Alexander Siddig as Ebling Mis, a passionate disciple of Hari Seldon and a self-taught psychohistorian; Troy Kotsur as Preem Palver, a leader of a planet full of psychics; and Cherry Jones as Foundation diplomat Quent. Brandon P. Bell will be Han Pritcher, Synnøve Karlsen will be Bayta Mallow, Cody Fern will be Toran Mallow, Tómas Lemarquis will be flamboyant orator Magnifico Giganticus, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing is Song, and Leo Bill is Mayor Indbur.

A Stiff Challenge for Psychohistory

Foundation is known for using Asimov’s world-building of a science-fiction superweapon called “psychohistory.” This “science” combined history, sociology, and mathematics to predict the broad strokes of society, but this weapon might be under attack by The Mule.

In the trailer, Asimov’s psychohistory as the “way to victory” is challenged by The Mule’s unknown ability to “move on a battlefield.” The trailer also features loud explosions, fiery battles, and the collapse of massive structures.

Foundation is also very opulent in its visuals. Goyer and the production have worked hard to design the landscape and structure of the larger universe and show off its size, both literally in space and figuratively on the planet. Action sequences and major set pieces will be a major component of the final two seasons.

Despite its action and size, however, the most human part of the trailer is the conflict and the emotional nature of the situation. The war of wills of the galaxy, possibly between the Empire and the Foundation. How long can the balance last? What about psychohistory? If the trailer is to be believed, the series will explore just how big of a threat The Mule will be on the scale of “psychohistory.”

Will humanity survive the rise of a powerful force like the Mule? Is there a future for the galaxy at all? These questions are what appear to be at the center of the plot for season 3.

Season 3 will likely be filled with high stakes, strong characters, and large world-building. With weekly episodes starting on July 11 and going until September 12, sci-fi fans and anyone who appreciates big-budget TV have reason to look forward to season 3.