Apple TV’s 3-Part Sci-Fi Show Is Officially Saving An Entire Genre

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Apple TV is quickly becoming known for high-quality science fiction. Shows like Pluribus, Severance, and Silo are leading the way, and the platform is essentially carrying an entire subgenre of sci-fi with its growing collection. It’s a similar situation to how HBO Max has become a go-to for crime thrillers.

Science fiction is a broad genre, encompassing many subgenres that sometimes feel completely unrelated. While they might not seem to have much in common, they’re all linked by the presence of futuristic technology. For instance, shows like Black Mirror and For All Mankind are both considered sci-fi, but they offer very different experiences.

Space operas, a long-standing and popular type of science fiction, haven’t been very common on TV recently. Currently, Apple TV+’s Foundation is practically the only one still being made. With The Expanse finishing its run in 2022, Foundation is now carrying the torch for the entire genre.

This series is inspired by Isaac Asimov’s Foundation stories and takes place far in the future. At that time, the galaxy is governed by a group of cloned rulers. The story follows Hari Seldon (played by Jared Harris), a mathematician who predicts a massive disaster is coming.

As a huge sci-fi fan, I’m completely hooked on this show! It follows Hari and his protégé, Gaal Dornick, as they try to prepare for the fall of the galactic Empire by building a secret Foundation. It’s an epic, sprawling story that jumps across centuries and galaxies – honestly, it’s everything I want from a space opera and really shows what the genre is capable of.

Foundation Is The Last Remaining True Space Opera

Space operas are science fiction shows that use common sci-fi elements to tell grand, sweeping stories. These stories are often dramatic and adventurous, and while they feature things like faster-than-light travel, they don’t usually bother explaining how that technology actually works.

Foundation stands out as one of the few recent TV shows that embraces a grand, dramatic storytelling style in a sprawling space setting, complete with futuristic technology. Shows like Star Wars, The Orville, Farscape, Dune, and Star Trek all fit comfortably into this same genre, known as space opera.

Shows like Severance, Silo, Westworld, and 12 Monkeys aren’t really part of this trend. For a period, Foundation and The Expanse were the only science fiction series of this type on TV, but after The Expanse ended in 2022, Foundation has been the sole representative. The Mandalorian included some space opera themes, but it’s now shifting its focus to films.

Space operas are costly to produce for television, and traditionally do better as movies. However, the ongoing popularity of Foundation gives hope that other streaming services will consider investing in this type of show.

Foundation Season 4 Is In Production

The sci-fi series Foundation has been picked up for a fourth season, with filming currently underway in Prague. While a release date hasn’t been announced, star Lee Pace recently told ScreenRant that season 4 will significantly expand the show’s narrative.

Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Series
Publication Date Title
1951 Foundation
1952 Foundation and Empire
1953 Second Foundation
1982 Foundation’s Edge
1986 Foundation and Earth
1988 Prelude to Foundation
1993 Forward the Foundation

The season 3 finale of Foundation was a major cliffhanger, hinting at significant revelations and pivotal events to come. Considering the show is based on Isaac Asimov’s seven-book series, it’s likely there are still several seasons ahead. This is good news for fans of space opera, as it means the genre will continue on television for a while longer before moving exclusively to film.

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2026-05-14 17:33