Apple TV+ has a new hit on its hands. Star City, the spinoff of the popular space drama For All Mankind, arrived on May 29, 2026, and has quickly climbed the streaming charts. According to data from FlixPatrol, the series is now the second most-watched show on Apple TV globally.
The show debuted with its first two episodes and immediately landed in the number four spot worldwide. Just one day later, it moved up past heavy hitters like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and even the original For All Mankind series. Currently, only the drama Your Friends & Neighbors has more viewers on the platform.
A Spy Thriller Set During the Space Race
Unlike the original series, which focuses on NASA astronauts and an optimistic view of the future, Star City takes a darker turn. The show shifts the perspective to the Soviet side of the alternate history. It follows the lives of cosmonauts, engineers, and KGB officers inside the secretive Russian training facility known as Star City.
Critics have praised the show for being more than just a copy of For All Mankind. The series blends space exploration with the tension of a spy thriller. Reviews compare it to shows like The Americans because of the constant fear and paranoia. The cast includes Rhys Ifans (House of the Dragon) as the Chief Designer of the Soviet space program and Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland) as a ruthless security chief.
Star City is cold and claustrophobic where For All Mankind is caring and cheerful, which makes for a gripping inversion of Apple’s sci-fi drama.
Strong Reviews and Global Popularity
The strong performance of Star City is backed by solid reviews. The series holds a 94% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience scores are also positive, with a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb.
The show is trending in 98 countries on Apple TV. It ranks as the second most-watched show in 18 nations, including Japan, Estonia, and Ukraine. In the United States, it sits at number four, just behind For All Mankind at number three.
Release Schedule and Availability
- Premiere Date: May 29, 2026 (two-episode launch)
- New Episodes: Every Friday
- Season Finale: July 10, 2026
- Total Episodes: 8
- Where to Watch: Apple TV+ (Available in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and worldwide)
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A Shared Universe Expanding
Star City proves that the world created by Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert can work even without the American flag on the helmet. While For All Mankind prepares for its sixth and final season set to release in 2027, Star City gives fans a new reason to stay subscribed.
You do not need to watch For All Mankind to enjoy Star City. The show stands on its own. However, seeing the same historical events from the other side of the Iron Curtain adds a new layer of depth for existing fans.
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