Upcoming Apple TV+ Show 'Foundation' Gains New Cast Members - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Upcoming Apple TV+ Show 'Foundation' Gains New Cast Members

by

asimovfoundationApple this week signed on several new cast members for "Foundation," an upcoming Apple TV+ series that's based on Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" novels.

Lee Pace and Jared Harris have already been cast in the key roles of Brother Day (the Emperor of the Galaxy) and Hari Seldon, respectively, but now Apple is filling out the rest of the roles.

According to Variety, Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Terrance Mann, and Cassian Bilton have joined the "Foundation" series as series regulars.

Asimov's "Foundation" series follows a psychohistory expert and mathematician Hari Seldon who is able to predict the future. Seldon creates a group called the Foundation to preserve humanity's collective knowledge ahead of the impending fall of the Galactic Empire. There are multiple novels in the "Foundation" series that span many years and cover the rise and fall of multiple empires.

Llobell will play Gaal, a mathematical genius from a repressed planet, while Harvey will play Salvor, a protective warden of a remote outer planet. Birn will play the roll of Demerzel, an aid to Brother Day, Mann will play Brother Dusk, the eldest member of the ruling family, and Bilton will play Brother Dawn, the youngest member of the ruling family and Brother Day's successor.

Once casting finishes for "Foundation" it will move on to filming, which suggests we can expect the show to premiere sometime in 2020. There's no word yet on a potential release date.

‌Apple TV‌+ is available now for $4.99 per month with TV shows like "The Morning Show," "For All Mankind," "Dickinson," "Servant," and more.

Top Rated Comments

nortofthe13th Avatar
90 months ago

Is it bad that I've heard of exactly none of these actors?

That said, I'm definitely looking forward to the series.
Jared Francis Harris is a notable English actor from the Sherlock Holmes movie and the HBO miniseries Chernobyl (in which he was fantastic). Most of the others are unknown, which can often be a good thing; it’s nice to get new faces and talent in the mix.
I think this has the potential to be a HUGE world building show!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
90 months ago
This sounds interesting and something I would most definitely watch.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
90 months ago
Jared Harris is one of my favorite actors. He is sublime. Most recently I’ve been blown away by his role in Chernobyl.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
90 months ago

Are you subtly trying to put down these actors, or are you demonstrating shame at being ignorant of them? It's hard to tell.

I'm quite familiar with both actors. Jared Harris is particularly notable; from, for example, major roles in Mad Men (Emmy nomination), Chernobyl (Emmy nomination), The Crown, and The Terror; as well as smaller but notable roles in The Expanse, Fringe, and others. If you don't recognize his face, you probably don't watch much quality TV.

Lee Pace is most notable as one of the male leads in Halt and Catch Fire, but he has also had a number of supporting roles in some notable films (The Hobbit series, Guardians of the Galaxy...).

And, may I put in a plug in form IMDB as a great resource when you are not instantly familiar with an actor's name?
He was fantastic in his recurring Fringe role.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gasu E. Avatar
90 months ago

Is it bad that I've heard of exactly none of these actors?

That said, I'm definitely looking forward to the series.
Are you subtly trying to put down these actors, or are you demonstrating shame at being ignorant of them? It's hard to tell.

I'm quite familiar with both actors. Jared Harris is particularly notable; from, for example, major roles in Mad Men (Emmy nomination), Chernobyl (Emmy nomination), The Crown, and The Terror; as well as smaller but notable roles in The Expanse, Fringe, and others. If you don't recognize his face, you probably don't watch much quality TV.

Lee Pace is most notable as one of the male leads in Halt and Catch Fire, but he has also had a number of supporting roles in some notable films (The Hobbit series, Guardians of the Galaxy...).

And, may I put in a plug in form IMDB as a great resource when you are not instantly familiar with an actor's name?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
doelcm82 Avatar
90 months ago

Jared Francis Harris is a notable English actor from the Sherlock Holmes movie and the HBO miniseries Chernobyl (in which he was fantastic). Most of the others are unknown, which can often be a good thing; it’s nice to get new faces and talent in the mix.
I think this has the potential to be a HUGE world building show!
Speaking of world building, Jared Harris also appears in The Expanse.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

New Apple TV Logo

Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:07 am PDT by
Starting today, the Apple TV streaming service is offering a new selection of "bonus" movies in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and some other countries. While competitors like Netflix offer an extensive catalog of movies from various studios, Apple TV primarily offers its own original films produced by Apple. Over the past few years, however, Apple has offered a "Great Movies Now on Apple TV"...
a charlie brown christmas

Here's When Apple TV is Airing Free 'Peanuts' Holiday Specials This Year

Thursday September 24, 2026 8:39 am PDT by
Three iconic "Peanuts" specials will once again be available on the Apple TV streaming service without a subscription for a limited time this holiday season. Here is when each special will be available to stream for free in the Apple TV app:"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown": Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving": Saturday, November 14 and Sunday,...
Apple exclusive F1 partner

F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos

Thursday October 22, 2026 6:35 am PDT by
Apple today announced that F1 races on the Apple TV streaming service will now be broadcast with Dolby Atmos spatial sound, starting with the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on October 23 to October 25. Apple's press release outlines everything F1 fans need to know about the U.S. Grand Prix and ways to follow along. Apple TV has been the exclusive home of F1 in the U.S. since March, as...
Latest Stories
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
2 hours ago
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
3 hours ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
3 hours ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
4 hours ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
5 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
6 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
6 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
10 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
11 hours ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
11 hours ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
11 hours ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
12 hours ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
12 hours ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
13 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
18 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
19 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
20 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
20 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
21 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
22 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
23 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
23 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
23 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
1 day ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
1 day ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
1 day ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
1 day ago