Will There be a Season 4 of Foundation on Apple TV?
Yes, there will be a season 4 of Foundation on Apple TV+, officially confirmed just before the third season’s finale dropped on September 12, 2025. If you’re like me and occasionally treat your streaming queue as sacred territory (I once literally debated my brother about whether space operas should get more than three seasons—crucial stuff), this news probably lands like a ray of hope in the sci-fi darkness.
Apple’s announcement wasn’t just a last-minute scramble, either: season 4 is set to start production in early 2026. Somehow, Foundation dodged the dreaded streaming axe (looking at you, beloved but short-lived genre shows), and there’s an entire new chapter ahead. So if you’ve been holding off on bingeing Season 3 for fear it was the last, the coast is officially clear.
The Renewal: Sci-Fi Fans Finally Get Some Certainty
Apple TV+ has decided to keep the journey (and chaos) of psychohistory rolling: it’s renewed Foundation for a fourth season, and the showrunners Ian Goldberg and David Kob seem genuinely pumped. For months, fans (including me, somewhat obsessively refreshing news sites—don’t judge) and even some actors themselves had no idea if the show would escape digital purgatory. There were even internal rumors and leaks swirling earlier this year, but nothing was official.
The cast is set to continue, which means more of Jared Harris’s haunted gravitas and Lee Pace’s imperial drama. The show’s complex, emotional storytelling and galactic politics—plus the looming shadow of Asimov’s original books—have turned Foundation into a global phenomenon. That’s not just marketing talk; think the gold standard for all science fiction programming according to critics. If you ever spent your teenage years debating whether psychohistory could actually exist over cheap pizza, Foundation delivers enough pseudo-mathematical drama to scratch that itch. Do I understand psychohistory? Not really. But it sounds like the most fun way to be deeply confused.
What Changed Behind the Scenes?
Yes, there’s a shakeup—not the type that doomscrolling fans fear, but a manageable one. Former showrunner David S. Goyer has stepped aside, making space for Goldberg ("Fear the Walking Dead") and Kob to steer season 4. Goyer’s original vision was for eight seasons, and while that plan felt ambitious (or slightly wild, depending on who you ask), it’s not off the table yet.
Fans did worry during the year’s hiatus after season 2—Apple stayed quiet for months, making the renewal rhythm look suspiciously random. But after season 3’s critical love-fest and numbers keeping it in the top three streamed shows, the network clearly saw the light. As for costs? The streaming universe whispers about Foundation’s hefty budget, but Apple’s pockets are deep. Who’s counting, anyway (other than, you know, psychohistorians)?
The Cast, the Story, and What’s Next
Yes, your favorite faces will be back. Foundation’s ensemble includes Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, and new additions who shook things up in season 3. Production is slated for early 2026, so expect the usual dose of cosmic intrigue, anti-hero drama, and the kind of grand visuals that justify a monthly Apple TV+ subscription when you inevitably forget to cancel.
- Returning stars: Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell
- New faces: Pilou Asbæk, Cherry Jones, others
Apple TV+’s executives are on record saying they’re excited to "keep exploring this universe together in season four". If you’re hoping for spoilers about new storylines—well, so am I, but all that’s officially teased is another round of epic, emotional saga and the Mule storyline continuing from season 3’s finale. Legitimately, my theory: they’ll do some truly wild timeskip stuff. (Asimov would approve, I think. He could never keep a single timeline straight, either.)
And yes: fans are already speculating about what psychohistory will predict next. My personal prediction? The next season will feature precisely three questionable wardrobe choices and at least one moment where galactic destiny hinges on awkward small talk.
What About That Eight-Season Plan?
Honestly? The original showrunner pitched Foundation as an eight-season arc, but nothing beyond season 4 is truly locked in. Right now, the stars and network are playing it by ear, following performance and critical buzz. Given the series’ global reach and critical acclaim, it’s not wildly optimistic to hope for more.
I still remember last year, nervously scanning forums for renewal news and encountering wild predictions. My favorite was a theory that all timelines would merge into a single musical episode—because apparently, Foundation fans are unhinged in the best way. But with the fourth season greenlit, there’s hope for deeper dives into Asimov’s weird, intricate universe. Would I watch eight seasons? Absolutely. Would my brain survive all the time jumps? Debatable.
Foundation Season 4: When Can You Actually Watch?
Soon, but not that soon: production is set for early 2026, which probably means a release late in the year or possibly 2027.
That’s a long time to wait, but if you’re like the person who spent the last six months arguing that Foundation deserves a slow binge, not a fast one, you’ll find plenty to dissect in fan communities. In the meantime, catch up (or rewatch) season 3—you’ll pick up wild little details you missed the first time. Like the background character who looked suspiciously like my high school math teacher (or maybe I was just tired).
