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Foundation

  • TV Series
  • 2021–
  • 12
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
112K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
14
3
Jared Harris, Lou Llobell, and Lee Pace in Foundation (2021)
A complex saga of humans scattered on planets throughout the galaxy all living under the rule of the Galactic Empire.
Play trailer2:14
33 Videos
99+ Photos
Sci-Fi EpicSpace Sci-FiDramaSci-Fi

A complex saga of humans scattered on planets throughout the galaxy all living under the rule of the Galactic Empire.A complex saga of humans scattered on planets throughout the galaxy all living under the rule of the Galactic Empire.A complex saga of humans scattered on planets throughout the galaxy all living under the rule of the Galactic Empire.

  • Creators
    • Josh Friedman
    • David S. Goyer
  • Stars
    • Terrence Mann
    • Laura Birn
    • Cassian Bilton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    112K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    14
    3
    • Creators
      • Josh Friedman
      • David S. Goyer
    • Stars
      • Terrence Mann
      • Laura Birn
      • Cassian Bilton
    • 2KUser reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 3 wins & 29 nominations total

    Episodes30

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos33

    Exclusive Clip: "It Will End Me"
    Clip 1:16
    Exclusive Clip: "It Will End Me"
    All About Kubbra Sait
    Clip 1:40
    All About Kubbra Sait
    All About Kubbra Sait
    Clip 1:40
    All About Kubbra Sait
    Lee Pace Answers Fan Questions
    Clip 2:34
    Lee Pace Answers Fan Questions
    Foundation: The Fight
    Clip 1:53
    Foundation: The Fight
    Official Trailer - Season 3
    Trailer 2:14
    Official Trailer - Season 3
    Official Teaser - Season 3
    Trailer 1:50
    Official Teaser - Season 3

    Photos329

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    + 325
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Terrence Mann
    Terrence Mann
    • Brother Dusk
    • 2021–2025
    Laura Birn
    Laura Birn
    • Demerzel
    • 2021–2025
    Cassian Bilton
    Cassian Bilton
    • Brother Dawn
    • 2021–2025
    Jared Harris
    Jared Harris
    • Hari Seldon
    • 2021–2025
    Lou Llobell
    Lou Llobell
    • Gaal Dornick
    • 2021–2025
    Lee Pace
    Lee Pace
    • Brother Day
    • 2021–2025
    Leah Harvey
    Leah Harvey
    • Salvor Hardin
    • 2021–2023
    Rowena King
    Rowena King
    • Kalle
    • 2023–2025
    Daniel MacPherson
    Daniel MacPherson
    • Hugo
    • 2021–2023
    Sasha Behar
    • Mari
    • 2021
    Sandra Yi Sencindiver
    Sandra Yi Sencindiver
    • Enjoiner Rue
    • 2023
    Elliot Cowan
    Elliot Cowan
    • Lewis Pirenne
    • 2021
    Isabella Laughland
    Isabella Laughland
    • Brother Constant
    • 2023
    Ella-Rae Smith
    Ella-Rae Smith
    • Queen Sareth of Cloud Dominion
    • 2023
    Kubbra Sait
    Kubbra Sait
    • Phara
    • 2021
    Pravessh Rana
    Pravessh Rana
    • Rowan
    • 2021
    Kulvinder Ghir
    Kulvinder Ghir
    • Poly Verisof
    • 2023
    Haqi Ali
    Haqi Ali
    • Handman Hahn
    • 2023
    • Creators
      • Josh Friedman
      • David S. Goyer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2K

    7.6111.9K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Foundation' is a visually impressive sci-fi series with strong performances, especially from Lee Pace and Jared Harris. However, it faces criticism for significant deviations from Isaac Asimov's original books, including changes in character genders and storylines. Some viewers appreciate the modernization, while others feel it loses Asimov's essence. The series is lauded for its production values and epic scope but faulted for inconsistent writing and pacing. Non-book readers tend to enjoy it more, while original fans express disappointment.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    8scotrep

    Solid Space Opera!

    Finally. An adaptation that doesn't just rely on pretty graphics!

    I read the books years ago and only barely remember the story. But this is complex and you need to keep up at some points! Which is a good thing.

    Some of the world building is excellent and I thought it was beautifully presented. Some acting was a bit wooden, but most are very entertaining with a few exceptional performances.

    It was dark, scary and sometimes funny.

    If you are a regular sci-fi reader I think you'll enjoy this series.

    Asimov is not light reading and you need to be able to accept the premise and suspend disbelief.
    8imdbfan-9199504174

    Apple, stop messing with this

    Magnificent bouts of rich storytelling often feel diluted by cheap and pointless moments of juvenile entertainment. While the core of this series held the potential to become an ode to the greatest science-fiction writer of all times, it would appear that Apple couldn't keep itself from interfering in their typical (biased) politically correct, family friendly fashion. You stand on the shoulders of a giant, and behind that giant stand millions of minds inspired by a vision of the future the whole of humanity can rally behind. The implications of the existential questions raised by Asimov are not PG-rated, this shouldn't be either.
    7BigblobbyBiobob

    Comendable adaptation for a TV show

    Since immersing myself in Foundation Season 1, I've embarked on a comprehensive reading journey through Isaac Asimov's wider literary universe, including the Robot series, Empire novels, and the Prelude and Forward the Foundation prequels, all consumed in the author's recommended order. Now, having completed Season 2, I can confidently say it maintains the captivating momentum of the first, albeit after an initial one-to-three-episode warm-up. This remains one of the most entertaining series I've watched recently, and my deep engagement with the source material hasn't altered my high regard for the show's quality.

    The decision to opt for a looser adaptation of Asimov's works was, in my view, a stroke of genius. This approach allows for a compelling new narrative to unfold, preserving the spirit and core themes of the books without ever threatening to dilute or ruin the original stories. I find this strategy to be remarkably thoughtful and genuinely faithful to Asimov's unique authorial vision. His novels consistently explored the intricacies of individual lives set against the grand tapestry of a galactic empire, deeply intertwined with the vast political machinations of planets and ruling powers. As long as this fundamental exploration remains central, the show consistently delivers.

    While certain elements of the established lore, such as the detailed history of robots or the nuances of Hari Seldon's relationship with the Empire, have been considerably re-imagined-perhaps to lend a more "fashionable" or grand aesthetic, reminiscent of the regal spectacle in Game of Thrones-these changes are not so significant as to be problematic. Indeed, they provide the writers with the creative latitude to craft distinct, yet equally compelling, plotlines, ensuring the show's longevity without impinging upon the integrity of the original novels. The series masterfully blends the more intimate, "soapy" character dynamics often found in the prequels with the expansive, interwoven narrative scope of Foundation itself, a combination that works exceptionally well, despite a few endearing moments of cheese. Furthermore, the show is replete with dazzling spectacle and impressive special effects-a welcome change from many series that often lack in this department-making it a visually stunning and thoroughly enjoyable experience, particularly on a large screen.
    8melcher-2001

    I Take It All Back

    When I read Asimov's 'Foundation' novels I was somewhere in my middle teenage years, more than 50 years ago. What I remembered was the central idea of psychohistory, but not much else.

    When the first season of 'Foundation' screened in the Fall of 2021 I was deeply committed to the HBO series by Ridley Scott, 'Raised By Wolves' and the ambitious character driven political allegory 'The Expanse' airing on Prime. Both were challenging explorations into deeply complex ideas living up to the best that literary science fiction is known for.

    Whatever my mood at the time, I found the first couple of episodes meeting most of my expectations, but then I seemed to loose the thread of the show as it left a central character behind and seemed to veer into a good guys versus bad guys realm of conventional space opera. I wrote a rather sour critique at the time that expressed my disappointment.

    However, I started watching season two and decided to go back and review the first season. This time I was able to not only stay with the plot, but its choices made much more sense to me. I was newly impressed, to say the least, and could barely remember my specific criticisms on the first go-round.

    Now I have a taste for what so many critics felt years after they first panned films like 'Blade Runner' and '2001:A Space Odyssey' before they recognized them as pioneering accomplishments. I wouldn't necessarily place 'Foundation' at the level of those films, but as an extended series it successfully tackles some profound questions about time and history and human behavior that are becoming ever more pertinent in today's climate of ongoing political crises.

    The show runners project a run of 8 seasons to complete a narrative that even Asimov failed to finish. It'll be a remarkable achievement if all of the necessary factors, corporate, financial and otherwise hold up to make it to the end. Here's hoping.
    8buffdaddy-04301

    Great Sci-Fi Series, But...

    ... Its name didn't need to be Foundation. Imo, it's about 50% Asimov and the rest is a combo of soap opera, sc-fi-imperial politics, CGI explosions and Webb-esque space vistas. Heck, you could claim several other writers' materials were influences. Lots of this series is purely mainstream, outer space SF.

    But it's excellent SF! Captivating sub-plots, likable characters and gorgeous images are extremely entertaining! In its own right, it is a superb show. Aye, and there's the rub... A "show" isn't necessarily literature. Michael Crichton and James Patterson were/are graphic oriented writers, evoking a "screenplay" feel in their fiction, which isn't meant as a detraction. Excellent easy read authors! Asimov isn't as frugal a wordsmith, however, and there are probably as many different visual interpretations of scenes in his books, as there are readers of his books. But then again, this is series is just loosely "based" on his work, whether it is expressly acknowledged or not.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Asimov's Foundation was originally published as a short story series in Astounding Magazine between May 1942 and January 1950, based on ideas in Edward Gibbon's History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
    • Crazy credits
      The opening titles is a montage of radiant energy particles forming various shapes.
    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Paul Rudd/Jared Harris/Nate Smith (2021)

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    July 2025 TV and Streaming Premiere Dates

    July 2025 TV and Streaming Premiere Dates

    "Foundation" and "Dexter: Resurrection" are two of this month's most anticipated TV releases. Check out our July calendar for more!
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    FAQ

    • How many seasons does Foundation have?
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    • Is this based on the Asimov Foundation series?
    • Is the series based on the original trilogy, or the entire Foundation series (and thus ties in with all of Asimov's future history)?
    • Which other streaming services will Foundation Show on?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 24, 2021 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • Ireland
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Фундація
    • Filming locations
      • Troy Studios, Castletroy, County Limerick, Ireland
    • Production companies
      • Skydance Television
      • Milk & Honey Pictures
      • Skydance Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.00 : 1

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