Rejoice, fans of deliciously complicated and marvelously cinematic sci-fi! Apple TV+’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation stories finally returns for a new season Friday. So now you can stream Foundation season three’s first episode, “A Song for the End of Everything,” in which intergalactic supervillain The Mule wreaks havoc.
Complex and thrilling Foundation season 3 now streaming on Apple TV+
The Mule cropped up in one character’s alarming visions in season two of Foundation, which concluded 152 years before the events of season three. Now The Mule, described as a pirate armed with mind control capable of wiping out galaxies if not the whole universe, fully arrives. That’s sure to complicate the Cleonic Dynasty’s slow-mo collapse and the efforts of Hari Seldon’s Foundation to salvage what it can of humanity across time and space before it’s too late.
Watch Foundation season three, episode one now! And read more about the show in Cult of Mac‘s ongoing coverage, below.
As smart and complex <em>Foundation</em> returns for season 3, get up to speed with video recap
Based on Isaac Asimov’s classic sci-fi stories — and smart and complex in its own right — epic series Foundation returns to Apple TV+ with its third season July 11. So it’s a good thing Apple dropped an “actually helpful recap” video Tuesday, for those not watching or rewatching the first two seasons (and even for those who are).
“If you aren’t prepared to face the Mule, Lee Pace can catch you up to speed,” Apple TV+ said on its YouTube channel. The star, who plays galactic emperor-in-his-prime Brother Day on the show, narrates the video. And the Mule is this season’s uber-villain.
You can read more below about the hit show. The new recap video offers broad-stroke descriptions of key characters and flashbacks to key plot developments in the first two seasons. If you watched the show and appreciated its rich detail in addition to its visual fireworks, you might be surprised how simply the story so far can be told in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
And for a little help looking ahead to season 3, here’s Apple’s latest plot description:
Set 152 years after the events of Season 2, the Foundation has become increasingly established far beyond its humble beginnings while the Cleonic Dynasty’s Empire has dwindled. As both of these galactic powers forge an uneasy alliance, a threat to the entire galaxy appears in the fearsome form of a warlord known as “The Mule” whose sights are set on ruling the universe by use of physical and military force, as well as mind control. It’s anyone’s guess who will win, who will lose, who will live, and who will die as Hari Seldon, Gaal Dornick, the Cleons, and Demerzel play a potentially deadly game of intergalactic chess.
Watch the ‘actually helpful recap’ of Foundation seasons 1 and 2
Previous: Foundation season 3 trailer gives chaos a name: The Mule
Epic sci-fi saga Foundation, based on Isaac Asimov’s legendary stories, has proved itself a popular and critically acclaimed series on Apple TV+. And it shows no sign of slowing down, judging by the trailer the streamer dropped Wednesday for Foundation season three.
For those who’ve been watching, a troubling, recently introduced character takes center stage with force.
“Chaos has a name,” Apple TV+ said. “The Mule.”
And in the trailer, it looks like this badass freak is going to take down the whole galaxy, if not the universe. The streaming date when you can start watching it all? Friday, July 11. Just weeks away.
Enter The Mule
The hit series‘ first two seasons captivated audiences as it built stunning worlds in intricate detail and a remarkable cast brought bold storytelling from David S. Goyer to life. Math genius Harry Seldon (Jared Harris) and his Foundation, exiled by the very Galactic Empire-in-denial whose fall he meant it to prepare for, continue an epic journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization in the eventual aftermath of the Cleonic Dynasty and its cloned emperors.
Really, the last thing anyone needs in a situation like this is a warlord with mind control entering the picture, hellbent on ruling the universe. But there he is. The Mule.
“Set 152 years after the events of season two, The Foundation has become increasingly established far beyond its humble beginnings while the Cleonic Dynasty’s Empire has dwindled. As both of these galactic powers forge an uneasy alliance, a threat to the entire galaxy appears in the fearsome form of a warlord known as ‘The Mule,’ whose sights are set on ruling the universe by use of physical and military force as well as mind control,” Apple TV+ said.
“It’s anyone’s guess who will win, who will lose, who will live and who will die as Hari Seldon, Gaal Dornick, the Cleons and Demerzel play a potentially deadly game of intergalactic chess,” the streamer added.
And in addition to the new trailer, below, you can watch one that came out in early May, below.
Watch Foundation season 3’s second trailer:
Sci-fi series Foundation season 3 airs July 11
Photo: Apple TV+
Apple’s epic sci-fi saga Foundation, adapted from the legendary Isaac Asimov stories, returns for season three on July 11 with a new threat of galactic war, Apple TV+ said Wednesday. And Foundation season 3 also has a new trailer, too. Watch it below.
“It’s anyone’s guess who will win, who will lose, who will live and who will die,” teases the official synopsis. It describes the upcoming season as “a potentially deadly game of intergalactic chess” involving central characters Hari Seldon, Gaal Dornick, the Cleon clone emperors and humanoid bot Demerzel.
Following some delays and cost cutting, the latest chapter in the acclaimed hit science fiction series Foundation promises to escalate the stakes dramatically as a fearsome new villain threatens the galaxy. And that’s after an amazing season two. Cult of Mac gave its finale a five-star review.
The new teaser offers fans their first glimpse at the scale and scope of the coming conflict, suggesting that the long-prophesied war will finally arrive. So the Foundation and Empire face their greatest challenge yet. The delicate balance of power that has defined the galaxy appears poised for a dramatic upheaval, Apple TV+ said.
Jared Harris and Lee Pace return in great and growing cast
Photo: Apple TV+
In addition to the excellent Harris as Seldon, Lee Pace plays emperor-passing-his-prime Brother Day and Lou Llobell is gifted Seldon acolyte Dornick. Laura Birn plays Demerzel, the humanoid bot serving the Empire. Returning cast also includes Cassian Bilton, Terrence Mann and Rowena King.
And Foundation season 3 introduces new characters and stars. They include Emmy Award winner Cherry Jones, Brandon P. Bell, Synnøve Karlsen, Cody Fern, Tómas Lemarquis, Alexander Siddig, Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur and Pilou Asbæk.
The 10-episode third season will follow the release pattern of previous installments, debuting with a single episode on July 11 followed by weekly releases each Friday through September 12.
“Foundation” continues to be produced for Apple by Skydance Television with David S. Goyer serving as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Bill Bost, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Matt Thunell, Robyn Asimov, David Kob, Christopher J. Byrne, Leigh Dana Jackson, Jane Espenson and Roxann Dawson.
Watch the first Foundation season 3 trailer:
Catch up with Foundation on Apple TV+
Viewers looking to catch up before the new season arrives July 11 can stream the complete first and second seasons, along with plenty of other shows on Apple TV+. The service is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. Customers who buy a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
More than 200 exclusive movies and TV shows call Apple TV+ home (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso). The service also offers documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.
This Foundation season three post first published on May 7, 2025 and republished with updates on June 25, 2025, and July 11, 2025.
