The alternate-history space drama For All Mankind is back on Apple TV, and the fifth season has already made its mark with critics. The series, which imagines a world where the Soviet Union won the space race, now holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews. While this number does not match the perfect scores of previous seasons, critics agree the show remains one of the strongest sci-fi offerings on television.
Critics Praise Season 5 Despite Slight Dip From Perfect Scores
The new season arrives with high expectations after Season 4 achieved a rare 100% Tomatometer score. Looking at the show’s history, Season 2 also earned a perfect 100%, while Season 3 scored 94% and the first season holds 75%. The current 86% rating for Season 5 keeps the series firmly in Certified Fresh territory.
Critics have pointed to the season’s ability to balance tension with emotional depth. Ben Gibbons from Screen Rant called it “another wonderful entry in what is repeatedly setting itself up to be one of the best sci-fi shows in recent history.” Nick Schager from The Daily Beast noted that “even when its narrative turns a tad staid, its profuse empathy carries the day,” highlighting the emotional core that has defined the series since its start.
Therese Lacson from Collider wrote about the season’s pacing, stating:
“With each episode, Season 5 builds tension while giving us brief moments of relief, all culminating in another massive shift that promises to usher in a completely new and exciting age.”
Katie Doll from CBR observed that “Season 5 makes sure to include the white-knuckle tension that builds up the unnerving anticipation, and relieves with a shot of good news.”
What Happens in For All Mankind Season 5
The new season jumps forward to 2012, about a decade after the events of the Season 4 finale. The story picks up following the successful heist of the Goldilocks asteroid, which was moved into Mars’ orbit. The Happy Valley colony on Mars has now grown into a large settlement with thousands of residents. It operates under an alliance of six nations known as the M-6.
Tensions rise as Earth’s nations demand more control over the Red Planet. The season explores themes of independence, automation, and artificial intelligence. Critics note that the show introduces a Martian independence movement, creating conflict between Mars residents and authorities from Earth.
Joel Kinnaman returns as Ed Baldwin, now an elderly figure dealing with his health and legacy. Wrenn Schmidt also returns as Margo Madison, though her role this season is largely confined to prison settings. The cast includes Krys Marshall, Cynthy Wu, Coral Peña, and Edi Gathegi.
New faces joining the ensemble include Mireille Enos (The Killing), Costa Ronin (The Americans), Sean Kaufman (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Ruby Cruz (Bottoms), and Ines Asserson. Toby Kebbell also returns as Miles Dale.
A Franchise Expanding Beyond the Main Series
The For All Mankind universe is growing. The show’s creators—Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi—are launching a spinoff series called Star City. This new show will tell the story of the space race from the perspective of the Soviet Union, exploring events that happened behind the Iron Curtain.
Star City is scheduled to premiere on May 29, the same day the Season 5 finale releases on Apple TV. The first two episodes of the spinoff will debut on that date, giving fans of the original series more content from this alternate universe. The spinoff cast includes Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O’Casey, Alice Englert, and Solly McLeod.
Ryan Britt from Inverse commented on how the main series handles its expanding history:
“The show can survive nostalgia for its own past, but it also doesn’t shrug off the weight of the four decades of fictional history that have come before, either.”
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Where and When to Watch
For All Mankind Season 5 premieres on Apple TV on Friday, March 27. New episodes will be released weekly on Fridays. The season consists of 10 episodes, with the finale arriving on May 29. For viewers in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, the series streams exclusively on Apple TV, available through the platform’s subscription service priced at $12.99 per month or through the Apple One bundle.
All previous seasons—Seasons 1 through 4—are currently available to stream on Apple TV for those who want to catch up before the new season begins.
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