Foundation Season 4 has been officially renewed by Apple TV+ and is currently in production, with a likely 2027 release.
Foundation Season 4: Latest updates on release timeline
The renewal was announced on September 11th, 2025, just before the finale of Season 3.
Production/Filming: Shooting began in early 2026 (first day of filming is January 5th, 2026) entirely within the country of the Czech Republic (Prague), one of the largest international productions filmed there. It is estimated to take well over 120 days total for the entire production to end sometime around May of 2026. This season will be shot entirely within the Czech Republic.
Expected Premiere: Expected to be sometime in 2027 (mid to late), following the same pattern as past seasons, with approximately a two-year gap between seasons, and also taking into account how long it takes to complete the extensive VFX work associated with this series, which has a large number of special effects incorporated into it. As of this writing, there is no exact premiere date yet, but one should expect it well before the end of 2027 based on all of the above considerations.
Foundation Season 4: Cast news
Returning main cast (confirmed or strongly expected):
- Jared Harris as Hari Seldon.
- Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick.
- Lee Pace as Brother Day (Cleon clones) — he is actively filming in Prague and has teased his involvement. Despite dramatic events in Season 3, his return suggests the character (or a clone/successor) continues, possibly with Brother Dawn evolving into a new Day. Pace has also taken on a producing role for Season 4.
- Terrance Mann as Brother Dusk.
- Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn.
- Synnøve Karlsen as Bayta Mallow.
- Others, like Cherry Jones, are part of the strong ensemble.
Uncertainties: The fate of Laura Birn’s Demerzel remains unclear after Season 3 events. New cast members and extras are being added, with fittings underway.
Creative Team Changes:
- New co-showrunners: Ian Goldberg (Fear the Walking Dead) and David Kob (The Flash), who also serve as executive producers.
- David S. Goyer (series creator) steps back from day-to-day showrunning but remains involved as an executive producer/consultant, providing overall roadmap guidance. He has cited family time as a factor.
- Other EPs include Bill Bost, Lee Pace, Michael Satrazemis, and Robyn Asimov.
Foundation Season 4: Story details
The fourth season will include some of the second book, Second Foundation, by Isaac Asimov, and it will follow on from the third season more immediately, although there will likely be a time jump in the middle of the season. The show will continue to chronicle the epic story of Psychohistory, the fall of the Galactic Empire, the Foundation(s), and future threats to the survival of mankind.
Key story arcs/predictions (must contain spoilers to seasons 1-3):
- The Mule storyline, as well as the search for the Second Foundation, in which Bayta Mallow will obtain strong psychic abilities and start hunting for the Second Foundation, will continue to explore issues of loyalty, power, and control.
- The Empire storyline will continue with new political developments within the Clone Dynasty, the potential for a new tyranny (i.e., black holes for bombs), and the rise of autocracy, and Brother Day’s story will develop differently than Season 3 would suggest.
- The scope of the universe will continue to expand, including references to Asimov’s Robot series (there appears to be a robot civilization hidden on the moon of Earth), greater ramifications of Psychohistory, Gaal’s emotional journey in retaliation to Seldon’s forecasts, and the introduction of new dimensions/scales to the overall galactic story. According to Lee Pace, this will add “a whole new dimension,” it will get “larger,” and it will be “cool/bonkers.”
The show will continue with some stories staying true to the books, while others will include new storylines (for example, The Clone Dynasty), while keeping the characters’ point of view strong.