Apple TV+ renews ‘Foundation’ for fourth season

Apple TV+ has renewed its epic science fiction series “Foundation” for a fourth season, announced just one day before the Season 3 finale premieres on September 12, 2025.
The renewal comes after a turbulent production period that saw original showrunner and co-creator David S. Goyer exit mid-Season 3 due to budget concerns and production setbacks.
Ian Goldberg and David Kob have taken over as co-showrunners for Season 4, with production scheduled to begin in early 2026 under Goldberg’s overall deal with Skydance Television.
Based on Isaac Asimov’s acclaimed novels, the series has maintained its position as one of Apple TV+’s top three most-watched shows and has been praised as “the gold standard for all science fiction programming”.
Despite being one of the streaming platform’s most expensive original productions due to extensive visual effects, the show’s global success and consistent viewership convinced Apple to continue the series.

Apple TV+ has renewed its ambitious science fiction series “Foundation” for a fourth season just one day before the conclusion of the third season, confirming the continuation of one of the streaming platform’s most expensive original productions.

The announcement, reported by Variety and confirmed by Apple TV+ on Tuesday, comes ahead of the Season 3 finale titled “The Darkness,” which premieres on Friday, September 12, 2025. Production on the fourth season is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with the series continuing to be produced by Paramount Television Studios.apple

Leadership Changes Following Production Challenges

The renewal follows a turbulent period for the series, which experienced significant production setbacks during Season 3. David S. Goyer, who co-created the series and served as showrunner and director, departed the show partway through the third season amid budget concerns and production delays.slashfilm

Ian Goldberg, known for his work on “Fear the Walking Dead,” was brought in as the new co-showrunner alongside David Kob to guide the series forward. According to Deadline, Goldberg’s appointment came as part of an overall deal with Skydance Television, with a writers’ room for Season 4 already established earlier this year.collider

“There is no series quite like ‘Foundation’ and we feel lucky and honored to be carrying the torch forward as co-showrunners into season four,” Goldberg and Kob said in a joint statement. “We look forward to continuing the epic, emotional storytelling that defined the first three seasons of the show”.apple

Global Success Despite Production Costs

The series, based on Isaac Asimov’s acclaimed science fiction novels, has been described by critics as “the gold standard for all science fiction programming” and has maintained a strong position on Apple TV+, remaining in the platform’s top three most-watched shows throughout Season 3.collider

Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+, emphasized the show’s international appeal, stating it has become “a global phenomenon, with fans tuning in from every corner of the world”. The series stars Emmy-nominated actors Jared Harris, Lee Pace, and Lou Llobell, with Season 3 featuring additional cast members including Cherry Jones, Troy Kotsur, and Pilou Asbæk.apple

The renewal timing suggests Apple’s confidence in the series despite its reported high production costs, which have made it one of the most expensive shows in the streamer’s portfolio. With filming set to begin in early 2026, viewers can expect Season 4 to premiere potentially in late 2026 or early 2027.9to5mac