Apple TV+ has officially renewed its ambitious sci-fi epic Foundation for a fourth season, bringing relief to fans after months of uncertainty. The announcement came on September 11, just ahead of the season 3 finale, confirming that the series will continue under new showrunners and with most of its core cast returning. Production is set to begin in early 2026, targeting a potential 2027 release.
“There is no series quite like Foundation, and we feel lucky and honored to be carrying the torch forward as co-showrunners into season four,” said incoming showrunners Ian Goldberg and David Kob in a statement released by Apple .
Renewal Announcement and Leadership Changes
The renewal confirmation ended months of speculation about the show’s future. Prior to the official announcement, even the cast remained in the dark about the series’ fate. Stars Lou Llobell (Gaal Dornick) and Tómas Lemarquis (Magnifico Giganticus) had publicly stated they had no information about a potential fourth season as recently as early September .
Significant behind-the-scenes changes accompany the renewal. David S. Goyer, who developed the series and served as showrunner for the first three seasons, has stepped back from his leadership role. While he will remain as an executive producer, Ian Goldberg (Fear the Walking Dead) and David Kob (Krypton) have taken over as co-showrunners for season 4 .
Goyer hinted at creative differences in a Q&A on his website, noting: “I don’t believe the new team is adhering to any of those ideas. They are charting their own path and making it their own, as they should” . This suggests the original eight-season plan Goyer pitched to Apple may have been altered significantly.
Expected Filming Window and Release Date
According to Apple’s official announcement, filming for Foundation season 4 is scheduled to begin in early 2026 . This timeline aligns with the production patterns of previous seasons, which typically took approximately two years from filming to premiere.
Given this schedule, industry observers project a likely release window of mid-to-late 2027 for the new season . The production’s scale and extensive visual effects requirements contribute to this lengthy but consistent timeline.
Returning Cast: Who Will Come Back?
The season 3 finale featured several dramatic character departures, leaving questions about who might return for the next chapter.
Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick is considered the safest bet for a returning star, as her character is expected to remain the central protagonist . Jared Harris appears likely to return as Hari Seldon despite his character’s digital consciousness facing new challenges .
Other probable returning cast members include:
- Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk (now the dominant Empire figure)
- Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
- Synnøve Karlsen as Bayta Mallow/The Mule
- Cody Fern as Toran Mallow
- Brandon P. Bell as Han Pritcher
- Tómas Lemarquis as Magnifico Giganticus
- Alexander Siddig as Ebling Mis
- Cherry Jones as Ambassador Quent
- Troy Kotsur as Preem Palver
- Rowena King as Kalle
The fate of three key actors remains uncertain. Laura Birn‘s Demerzel was murdered in the season 3 finale, making her return unlikely . Lee Pace‘s Brother Day also met a definitive end, though the actor remains listed as an executive producer for season 4 . With the destruction of the cloning lab and all backup clones, the mechanism for Pace’s return remains unclear, though flashbacks or alternative storytelling devices remain possibilities.
Story Projections for Season 4
The season 3 finale, titled “The Darkness,” set up multiple narrative threads for the next season. The episode revealed that Synnøve Karlsen’s Bayta Mallow is actually the fearsome Mule, not Pilou Asbæk’s character as previously suggested .
Season 4 is expected to adapt the second half of Asimov’s Second Foundation, the third novel in his original trilogy . The story will likely focus on Gaal’s continued efforts to stop the Mule’s galactic conquest while protecting the Second Foundation.
The finale also introduced significant new elements that will probably play major roles:
- Brother Dusk’s autocratic rule over the Empire with his “black hole bomb” weapon
- The Brazen Head’s initiation of a robot revolution
- The first appearance of Earth, suggesting the planet will factor significantly into future storylines
Other plot threads include Ambassador Quent joining the Second Foundation, Hari Seldon’s digital consciousness navigating betrayal, and Brother Dawn’s fate on the space station orbiting New Terminus .
Production Context and Future Prospects
Foundation represents one of Apple TV+’s most ambitious and expensive productions, with sweeping visuals, location shoots across Europe, and extensive visual effects . The show has developed a dedicated global audience since its 2021 debut, with Apple’s head of programming Matt Cherniss calling it a “global phenomenon” .
While the renewal for season 4 is confirmed, the show’s long-term future remains uncertain. Goyer’s original vision of an eight-season arc appears to have been abandoned or significantly modified by the new creative team . The expensive nature of the production means subsequent seasons will likely depend on viewership numbers and subscriber engagement with the platform.
The season 3 finale delivered record viewership numbers for the series, contributing to Apple’s decision to renew despite the production costs . As the series moves forward under new leadership, fans can expect the same epic scale while potentially noticing creative differences in storytelling approach.
Also Read: Foundation Season 3 Episode 9 Release Date and Time: Final Episodes Approach
Credits: TechRadar, ScreenRant, Apple TV+ Press Release
