Apple TV+’s epic adaptation of Issac Asimov’s (I, Robot) novel saga, Foundation, has added ten new characters for its second season. According to Deadline, the sci-fi series will welcome Ben Daniels (The Exorcist, Flesh and Bone), Kulvinder Ghir (Still Open All Hours, Goodness Gracious Me), Rachel House (Soul, Moana), Nimrat Kaur (Airlift, The Test Case), Dmitri Leonidas (Tormented, Rosewater), Holt McCallany (Mindhunter, Fight Club), Mikael Persbrandt (Beck, Sex Education), Ella-Rae Smith (The Stranger, Clique), and Sandra Yi Sencindiver (The Wheel of Time, The Bridge).
The series follows civilization millennia into the future, where a three-man dynasty has ruled the galaxy for centuries. When a peculiar scientist, Jared Harris’ (Chernobyl, Morbius) Hari Seldon, foretells the fall of the current regime, he and his protege, played by Lou Llobell (Voyagers), are exiled to a barren planet known as Terminus in an effort to rebuild humanity and stave off the end of life. The series also stars Lee Pace (Halt and Catch Fire, The Fall), Leah Harvey (On the Road), Laura Birn (Helene, Purge), Terrence Mann (A Chorus Line, Critters 2: The Main Course), and Cassian Bilton (The Devil’s Harmont, Shoal).
According to Deadline, the new cast members will portray a variety of characters central to the second season’s plot. Daniels will be Bel Roise, a decorated general of the Galactic Empire’s Superlimial Fleet. He has always been loyal to the Empire’s rule, but sees his support waning.
Ghir is set to portray Poly Verisof, a member of the Church of the Galactic Spirit. As a high cleric in the order, he is fully capable to lead. But his vice for alcohol diminishes his talent. Hosue will play the leader of a new sect, the Mentallics, known as Tellem Bond. And Kaur will play Yanna Seldon, a possible relative of Harris’ mathematician.
Leonidas is Hober Mallow, a mere trader who finds himself forced in the middle of the confrontation to serve a higher purpose. McCallany will play Terminus’ warden, Jaegger Fount, sworn protector of the planet’s inhabitants. And Persbrandt will play the Warlord of Kalgan, a man of might and magic who seeks to steal control from the Empire.
Smith will play Queen Sareth. As Ruler of Cloud Dominion, she will parlay her assumed meekness to her advantage as she gains membership inside the Imperial Palace with ulterior motives. Sencindiver is Enjoiner Rue, Queen Sareth’s political counselor.
The series, produced by Apple and Skydance TV, is executive produced by showrunner David S. Goyer (Blade 2, The Unborn) via Deadline. He is joined by fellow executive producers Robyn Asimov (About Science Fiction and Robots), Bill Bost (World War Z, Grace and Frankie), David Ellison (Fly Boys, Luck), Alex Graves (The West Wing, Lost in Space), and Dana Goldberg (6 Underground, Gemini Man).
Season one of Foundation is available to stream on Apple TV+.