The wait is almost over for fans of Apple TV’s space saga. For All Mankind Season 5 is set to land on screens with a major time jump, a growing Martian colony, and a mix of familiar faces alongside some exciting new arrivals. The show, which imagines an alternate history where the global space race never ended, is leaping into the 2010s, and the personal and political drama is reaching new heights.
With the premiere date now confirmed and a full trailer released, viewers are getting a clear picture of who is returning to the cockpit and who is joining the mission. The series continues to follow the pioneers of space exploration, but the focus is shifting to the next generation and the growing tensions between Mars and Earth.
The Season 5 Premiere Date and Setting
Apple TV has officially announced that For All Mankind Season 5 will debut on Friday, March 27, 2026 . The season will consist of 10 episodes, with new installments dropping weekly every Friday until the finale on May 29, 2026 .
This new season picks up in the year 2012 , several years after the dramatic Goldilocks asteroid heist that closed out Season 4 . The Martian base, Happy Valley, is no longer a simple outpost. It has grown into a bustling colony with thousands of residents, functioning as a launchpad for missions deeper into the solar system. However, this growth comes with growing pains. The nations of Earth are demanding law and order on the Red Planet, which is creating serious friction with the people who actually live there . This conflict between Mars and Earth is the central conflict of the new season.
The Returning Core Cast
Several key players are coming back to navigate this new world order. Their characters have been with the show through decades of space exploration, and Season 5 will show them dealing with the consequences of their past actions and the realities of aging in a low-gravity environment.
Joel Kinnaman as Ed Baldwin
Joel Kinnaman returns as the legendary astronaut Ed Baldwin. Ed has been the anchor of the series from the very beginning. At the end of Season 4, he made it clear he had no intention of returning to Earth, choosing to stay on Mars . In Season 5, Ed is in his 80s. To show this, the production uses extensive prosthetics on Kinnaman . The story will also explore his family life on Mars, as his grandson, Alex, is now a young adult .
Wrenn Schmidt as Margo Madison
Wrenn Schmidt is back as Margo Madison, the brilliant NASA engineer whose journey took a shocking turn when she defected to the Soviet Union. After spending years in hiding, Margo’s fate was a major point of the last season. Season 5 will show where she lands in this new decade and how her past decisions continue to shape her life .
Edi Gathegi as Dev Ayesa
Edi Gathegi returns as Dev Ayesa, the visionary and ruthless co-founder of Helios Aerospace. Dev’s dream has always been about Martian independence and self-sufficiency. In Season 5, he is expected to play a major role in pushing for Mars to break free from Earth’s control, making him a central figure in the growing rebellion .
Coral Peña as Aleida Rosales
Coral Peña returns as Aleida Rosales, the gifted engineer who rose from humble beginnings to become a key figure at NASA. Aleida’s relationship with Margo was a driving force in previous seasons. With Margo back in the picture, their dynamic is sure to be a focal point .
Toby Kebbell as Miles Dale
Toby Kebbell is set to reprise his role as Miles Dale, the roughneck who went to Mars to make money. His character represents the working class on the Red Planet, and his experiences often highlight the everyday struggles of living in a colony .
Cynthy Wu as Kelly Baldwin
Cynthy Wu returns as Kelly Baldwin, Ed’s daughter and a scientist in her own right. Kelly’s connection to Mars runs deep, and her role as a mother adds a personal layer to the generational story the show is telling .
Krys Marshall as Danielle Poole
While not listed in every single cast announcement from every outlet, Krys Marshall is expected to return as fan-favorite astronaut Danielle Poole. She remains a vital part of the series’ fabric, and her absence would be notable . As one of the most steady and moral characters, her perspective on the Mars-Earth conflict will be crucial.
New Faces Joining the Mission
Season 5 is bringing in a wave of new characters, many of whom represent the next generation of Martians—people born or raised on the Red Planet who see it as their home, not just an assignment.
Mireille Enos as Celia Boyd
One of the biggest additions is Mireille Enos, who joins as a series regular. She plays Celia Boyd, a member of the Mars peacekeeper security force . This casting is especially exciting because it reunites Enos with her The Killing co-star, Joel Kinnaman . While Kinnaman is aged up with prosthetics, Enos plays her character at her normal age. Her role as a security officer puts her directly in the middle of the conflict between the Martian colonists and Earth’s authorities.
Costa Ronin as Leonid Polivanov
Costa Ronin has been promoted to series regular for Season 5. He plays Leonid Polivanov, a character whose presence bridges the gap between the American and Russian space programs, which have been deeply intertwined since the show’s beginning .
Sean Kaufman as Alex Poletov Baldwin
Sean Kaufman joins the cast as Alex Poletov Baldwin, the grandson of Ed Baldwin . The trailer shows Alex has just graduated high school on Mars and is unsure about his future . He represents the first generation to come of age on another planet, and his struggle to find his identity will mirror the colony’s struggle to find its own.
Ruby Cruz as Lily Dale
Ruby Cruz is on board as Lily Dale, the daughter of Toby Kebbell’s character, Miles . Like Alex, she represents the younger generation. The trailer suggests she may be more radical than her parents, possibly getting involved in the movement for Martian independence .
Ines Asserson as A.J. Jarrett
Ines Asserson plays A.J. Jarrett, another new series regular. Details about her character are being kept under wraps, but she is part of the wave of new talent that will help steer the show into its new era .
Confirmed Recurring and Supporting Cast
Beyond the main cast, there are several actors confirmed for supporting roles who will add depth to the Martian colony.
Barrett Carnahan as Marcus
Barrett Carnahan, known for his role in Cobra Kai, has joined the cast in a recurring role. He will play Marcus, a recent high school graduate living on Mars . This puts him in the same peer group as Alex and Lily, suggesting the show will focus heavily on the lives and attitudes of these young adults.
Other Supporting Cast Members
The cast list also includes several actors who will fill out the world of Happy Valley. These include Tyler Labine returning as Fred, Michael Klesic as Oleg Vyshinsky, and Svetlana Efremova as Irina Morozova . Their characters help show that the colony is a fully functioning society with a diverse population.
What This Cast Means for the Story
Looking at the confirmed cast list, a clear picture of Season 5 emerges. This is a season about transition. The old guard, represented by Ed Baldwin, is aging but not backing down. The middle generation, like Dev Ayesa and Margo Madison, are dealing with the consequences of their life’s work. But the real focus seems to be on the young adults—Alex, Lily, and Marcus—who have only known life on Mars.
They don’t see Earth as “home.” This generational divide is what fuels the political conflict. When you add Mireille Enos as a peacekeeper trying to enforce Earth’s laws, the stage is set for a volatile mix of personal drama and political upheaval.
The cast also highlights how the show continues to evolve. Characters come and go, but the story keeps moving forward. The return of familiar faces like Joel Kinnaman provides continuity, while newcomers like Sean Kaufman and Ruby Cruz inject fresh energy and perspectives.
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For All Mankind Season 5 is shaping up to be a story about identity, freedom, and what it means to be human when “home” is a planet millions of miles away. With its stacked cast and a plot that promises revolution, the March 27 premiere on Apple TV+ cannot come soon enough.
