For All Mankind’s Cynthy Wu Reacts to Ed Baldwin’s Death

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Joel Kinnaman has finished playing Ed Baldwin in the series For All Mankind. In Season 5, Episode 3, titled “Home,” his character dies from lung cancer, reflecting on his life. Before passing, Ed urges his daughter, Kelly Baldwin (played by Cynthy Wu), to continue her important work searching for life beyond Earth.

It felt unbelievable. Ed always seemed indestructible, and he had the personality to match – determined and always ready for a challenge. He’d probably have wanted to live to 150, still in charge and causing a little bit of chaos. Episode 3 of Season 5 was particularly impactful. We all understood he was getting older, and that no one lives forever, but seeing it happen was still a shock and deeply saddened us.

From the very beginning of For All Mankind, Ed has been the show’s heart. When the Soviets reached the moon first, it was Ed’s emotional journey – his disappointment, his dedication to space exploration, and his strong family ties – that truly connected viewers to the story. He made it possible for the audience to feel the impact of every mission in this alternate history of NASA. Because of this deep connection, filming Ed’s last episode was a particularly moving experience for actor Joel de la Fuente, who plays Ed.

The actor said they were incredibly excited when they first read the script. They described the episode as truly special, and fondly remembered working with Joel on what would be his last scenes, particularly the emotional goodbyes they shared while filming.

What’s Next for Kelly Baldwin After Ed’s Death?

Ed Baldwin’s passing represents the close of a chapter, particularly for Kelly, as her story has largely focused on her relationship with him since the second season. However, his death leads Kelly to a crucial realization: life is precious and fleeting, and she needs to make the most of it.

Watching Kelly’s dad pass away really hit her hard with the idea that life is short. He accomplished so much in his time, which was amazing, but it made her realize how quickly time slips away. It really motivated her to pursue what she wanted and not waste time worrying about regrets. That became the driving force behind everything she did this season – she wanted to live fully and without looking back.

Kelly’s determination to continue her work is similar to Ed’s difficulty with disobeying orders and landing on the moon – a decision that led to the US losing the space race. Afterwards, Ed spent his life questioning those in charge and embracing risks. It’s therefore meaningful that his final advice to his daughter encouraged her to do the same, keeping his independent and daring nature alive even after he was gone.

Watch new episodes of For All Mankind every Friday on Apple TV+. The show is currently being developed for a sixth and final season.

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2026-04-10 11:06