Foundation

Across a distant future, a diverse group of people finds themselves caught between fading power and a stubborn hope for tomorrow. Exiles and insiders alike rally around a bold plan to safeguard human knowledge and steer civilization through a collapse that shakes the core of a sprawling Galactic Empire. The story shifts between mathematicians, politicians, soldiers, and scholars as they navigate shifting loyalties, hidden schemes, and accelerating change. Rather than a single quest, it follows parallel strands that test trust, resilience, and the cost of optimism. It’s a saga about preserving culture and science when the future seems uncertain, with no easy shortcuts to salvation. The cast includes political intrigue, personal sacrifice, and colossal scale.

Apple TV+ released Foundation in 2021. Created by David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman, it adapts Isaac Asimov's Foundation novels for television, with Rupert Wyatt directing the premiere and Jared Harris, Lou Llobell, and Lee Pace among the leads.

The show has sparked discussion about translating a beloved literary universe to screen and about how visual ambition shapes streaming science fiction. Viewers praise its bold design, imaginative sets, and the way it reinterprets familiar ideas into fresh, cinematic moments that keep fans debating choices long after the credits roll.

Critics generally praised the show's ambition and performances, while noting pacing and deviations from the source. Core themes include whether foresight can justify means, how empires fall and ideas endure, and the tension between scientific progress and political power in shaping humanity's future. It invites reflection on duty and consequence.

Awards: Foundation earned recognition at major award ceremonies for its technical craft and production design. Critics highlighted the series for its stunning visuals and strong performances, earning nominations that underscore its place as a high profile example of premium streaming science fiction.