This Sci-Fi Series Inspired ‘Star Wars’ but It’s Even Better (2 Seasons to Binge!)

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…there was a mathematician named Hari Seldon who predicted the fall of the Galactic Empire, kicking off a centuries-long war between rebels and the powers that be. Sounds like a Star Wars spin-off, right? It’s not. It’s the premise for an entirely different space series, an Apple TV+ show called Foundation starring Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, and Leah Harvey. If you like Star Wars, you’ll probably love Foundation —and there are already two fantastic seasons to watch before season three comes out.

Based on the 1951 book series by Isaac Asimov, Foundation actually predates Star Wars by many years—George Lucas’s first installment of Star Wars debuted in 1977. Sci-fi lovers have long credited Asimov for influencing much of the space-war genre we know and love today, with themes like expansive galactic empires, complex inter-planetary politics, and metaphysical powers.

Not to ruffle any feathers, but after binging the Apple TV+ series, I have to say…I prefer Foundation over any of the recent Disney+ Star Wars shows (or films for that matter).

I like that Foundation trusts that its audience is smart. Explanations are not handed over on a silver expository platter and characters are neither starkly good nor bad, which I have to say, the Star Wars binary gets a little gimmicky. The show explores big themes like order versus chaos and destiny versus free will through subtle character development, making it more like a prestige-TV experience (think: Don Draper in space) and less like space cowboys, which your girl appreciates.

Three of the main characters in Foundation are women, and they’re awesome. They’re each deeply complicated, smart, surprising, and integral to the plot. In the world created by Asimov, we’re not confined by typical gender roles. Sure, aspects of those roles exist, but when a woman leads a security team in Foundation , we don’t waste screen time with any “BUT A WOMAN?!?!” reactions.

One of the coolest tricks Foundation uses is with the triumvirate of Emperor Cleon clones. Let me explain. The empire is run by the “genetic dynasty,” or clones of the original Emperor Cleon. The idea is to instill continuity throughout the galaxy. Three clones are in circulation together: Brother Day, a Cleon clone in his prime; Brother Dusk, a retired, older Cleon; and Brother Dawn, a young Cleon-in-training. Because the saga takes place over centuries, we get to see various Brother Days, all played by Lee Pace. Not only is he one of the most attractive men in the world (fact), but he gets to show off some serious acting chops, slightly tweaking the personalities of Brother Days throughout the series.

Interested in hopping on this multiple-timeline space saga? Seasons one and two are available for streaming on Apple TV+, and season three is apparently set to premiere in 2025.

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