Latest news with #GalacticEmpire
UPI
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Lee Pace: Brother Day disillusioned with the Empire in 'Foundation' S3
1 of 4 | Lee Pace stars in "Foundaton." New episodes air Fridays. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ NEW YORK, July 18 (UPI) -- The Hobbit and Guardians of the Galaxy actor Lee Pace says Season 3 of Foundation has a different feel than the previous two chapters of the critically acclaimed sci-fi drama. New episodes of the adaptation of Isaac Asimov's book series air Fridays on Apple TV+. The show follows a group of scientists who try to save humanity by rebuilding civilization on a remote planet amid the fall of the Galactic Empire, which is ruled by a genetic dynasty of three clones -- Pace's Brother Day, Terrence Mann's Brother Dusk and Cassian Milton's Brother Dawn. "He doesn't want any relationship with any of them. He's very disillusioned with the entire idea of Empire, that he's an emperor and he wants to get as far away from the jerks in the palace as he possibly can," Pace, 46, told UPI about Brother Day in a recent Zoom interview. "He wants to hang out in the garden and get stoned and eat and just be fat and happy," Pace explained. Answer the call. A new episode of #Foundation is now streaming. Apple TV (@AppleTV) July 18, 2025 "He doesn't want to sit there and play politics on the throne anymore and he hates the people who think that they can. He's not someone who thinks that it's worth trying to control anything. You can't do it. Not even the robot can do it. ... Might as well just relax. If things are going to fall apart, they're going to fall apart. There's no saving them." The Crow alum Laura Birn, 44, plays Demerzel, a humanoid robot and the trio's most trusted adviser. "I'm excited to explore the relationship between Demerzel and Day. I just find it endlessly interesting and surprising and disturbing this year," Birn said. "It's the part that I always wait most for when I get the new scripts, like, 'What's happening between them and this weird little dysfunctional family?'" Pace agreed. "i always find that really interesting and we have a great time working together, too, so it's such a fun dynamic to see: 'Well, what hands do we have this season? How is this game going to play out?'" he said. Season 3 sees the introduction of The Mule (Pilou Asbæk), a villain who uses mind control on his foes, but Pace said Brother Day doesn't even really know he exists. "He's too far away and insignificant," the actor added. "The Mule is the big instigator of the season and a very huge disruptor, but one of the things that's so interesting to me about Foundation is that it's not a story about battles. You might think that's the case from the beginning of this season where you've got a great, big, powerful Foundation and you've got a great, big, powerful Empire. You think they're going to clash in some way." But that's not actually where the story goes, Pace emphasized. "It's about the center falling out and then this crumbling over here and then that group kind of having a different opinion and eating each other," he said. "It's like the disintegration from lots of places. That's what chaos does to order," Pace added. "That's what The Mule is. He is the invention of chaos." Demerzel -- on the other hand -- thrives on mayhem. "The chaos and the destruction that he brings is kind of like another crisis to attack, to solve, but, at the same time, there's this weird possibility of freedom or something new or something unexpected for her," Birn noted. "She doesn't have clear answers," the actress added. "She's insecure of which direction is the right direction. Is her programming sending one direction or could it be this and that? And what happens? Her mind exploding for all these options is part of what The Mule offers for her. It is like the possibility to see things differently, so it definitely changes her course." So, is Foundation a cautionary tale for viewers in 2025? "I wouldn't want to tell anyone how to watch the show," Pace said. "The show is such a feast," he added. "You can pick and choose and think about things that resonate with you." The fact that the brilliant Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) has devised a way to protect and store all human knowledge on a safe planet is a positive message to impart to audiences. "At the center of the show is this idea of hope that Hari Selden proposes that there is a mathematical likelihood that we will survive this," Pace said. "It's not a zero chance that we will," he added. "There's a hope inside the show that I really appreciate. There's a sense of, 'You can bet on humans' ability to continue to travel on.'" Birn said she thinks her character's existence also makes the show relevant to people grappling with real-life issues connected to artificial intelligence. "We've created AI. We've taught AI everything it knows. But not even the ones who are creating it now have an idea where it will evolve and what happens if, suddenly, there's another species that's equal to us or even dominant," she added. "It's more than being afraid of AI, but more being a little bit afraid of how we will treat that other species, if it evolves." The cast also includes Lou Llobell, Cherry Jones, Brandon P. Bell, Synnøve Karlsen, Cody Fern, Tómas Lemarquis, Alexander Siddig and Troy Kotsur.
Los Angeles Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Tony Gilroy on the ‘spooky' real-life parallels with Emmy nominee ‘Andor'
'Andor' has been the 'seminal creative experience' of Tony Gilroy's life. The filmmaker spent over five years steeped in the world of the 'Star Wars' prequel series, which follows resistance fighter Cassian Andor (portrayed by Diego Luna) during the nascent days of the Rebellion. On Tuesday, 'Andor' earned 14 Emmy nominations for its second and final season, including in the marquee race for drama series. 'It's hard to imagine that I'll ever be as deeply invested with as much and so submerged with so many people in such a huge endeavor,' Gilroy said via Zoom after the nominations announcement. 'It's a life experience as much as anything else. Everybody on this show really came away with a deeper sense of community and affection than they went in with.' In addition to drama series, 'Andor' was nominated for its directing, writing, cinematography, production design, costume, editing, score, original music, sound editing, sound mixing and special effects. Performances by Forest Whitaker (guest actor) and Alan Tudyk (character voice-over) were also recognized. A grounded, political spy thriller, 'Andor' is set during the five years leading up to the events of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars story,' the 2016 film on which Gilroy is credited as one of the writers. The series has been hailed by critics and audiences since its 2022 debut, captivating both longtime 'Star Wars' fans as well as those who don't know an Ewok from a Wookiee. The show's second season, which unfolds over the span of four years, provided key glimpses into the Galactic Empire's operations as well as the origins of the Rebel Alliance. And while the show is inspired by revolutions past, Gilroy admits it has been 'spooky' to see current events parallel moments from the show. In an interview with The Times, Gilroy discussed 'Andor's' nominations, real-life parallels and more. The conversation edited for length and clarity. Congratulations on the 14 nominations! How are you feeling? I'm trying to find a word that everybody you're calling doesn't use. I feel affirmed. It's very exciting, obviously. Where were you and what were you doing when you heard the news? I waited and I took a ride and took a shower and got out and saw my phone was hot. I waited to see if my phone was hot. Is there an 'Andor' group chat where you all can chat in a thread together? No. Well, maybe there is and I'm not on it. It's more text mania. Then you have to figure out who's on WhatsApp, who's on this, who's on that. Everybody's on different s—. It's actually really f— complicated, to be honest. Now I've got emails to answer, WhatsApps to answer. What has it been like for you to be on this ride with this show as real-life events start to parallel what happened on the show? It feels like we're living through so much of it now. It's been spooky. We had to do a very interesting thing, I think, and figure out how to sell the show while this was all happening without us getting confused, or the world getting confused, or anything else. So I'm really proud. We went all around the world and really sold it really hard. It's hard to get a large audience to watch 'Star Wars' — it's strange, but it's really difficult. Along the way I think we managed through the relevancy and the politics of it as successfully as we could. I think now things are a little bit looser. We're a little bit more free with how we want to speak now so that's a little bit liberating. How hard is it to hold some of that in while you're trying to appeal to an audience? There wasn't anything really cynical about it. Everything we said was legit. The historical model is truly what we were doing, and we're not espousing an ideology in the show or anything like that. But we were also quite taken aback as things went along, at the amount of things that started rhyming with what was going on. Watching Sen. [Alex] Padilla get [handcuffed] while we're watching the Ghorman senate — there's things we did not expect to see lining up. It's really tough and it should be obvious what people think about it. One of the show's nominations was writing for Episode 9. Dan Gilroy, nominated! How does it feel to be able to share this moment with your brother? All three Gilroy brothers were nominated today! It's very pleasing to see that. There's so many things on here that really, really, really, make me smile. It's really great that [production designer] Luke [Hull] and [costume designer] Michael Wilkinson [were nominated]. All the technical things that came in for us today were really satisfying. All these awards are community property no matter how people talk about it. You know how many people it takes to stand behind every one of these episodes. They're just epic, the amount of people that are involved. As you're picking these individual episodes, how did Episode 9 stand out? What made it special for you? We were really torn about what to [submit]. We had three candidates that we really were really interested in. In the end, people felt — direction wise — that the Ghorman massacre, Episode 8, was such a powerhouse. It's such a strong flavor and so memorable that we could not have that beat for direction. And we also felt that [Episode] 9, it's just so sophisticated. The spy writing and the sleekness of the politics and the sleekness of the storytelling in there and the scale of the issues for the characters that came up. That was always the favorite for script. Since you mention Ghorman, what was memorable about working on that episode for you? It's always an experiment to see if you're going to get the power out of things that you think you're going to get. [So,] to watch that expand beyond where we thought it was going to be, and to have it affect us, the people making it, more than we expected. To have the extras walk off the set on the final day of shooting, when they were finally released, all the people in that square after months and they went off singing the Ghorman national anthem on their own on the way out of Pinewood [Studios]. I'm very proud of it. That anthem is also nominated. That's really all I care about, Tracy. I've written a national anthem and it's been nominated for an Emmy. [Laughs.] Your time with 'Star Wars' is pretty much wrapped up. What has it been like for you, being steeped in this world for so long? 'Rogue [One]' aside, just being on this show the last five and a half, six years, this is the seminal creative experience, I'm imagining, of my life. It's hard to imagine that I'll ever be as deeply invested with as much and so submerged with so many people in such a huge endeavor. I can't imagine that will ever happen again. It's a life experience as much as anything else. Everybody on this show really came away with a deeper sense of community and affection than they went in with. To make a great show, and we're really proud of it, and to come away feeling the way that we feel about each other and what everybody did, I'm as proud of that as anything. How are you going to celebrate? I'm going to roll these calls and I'm going to go back to prepping the movie that I'm supposed to start shooting. I've got homework to do. I'm going to try and get an hour or two of work done before I go out for dinner with my wife. But I'll have an extra cherry in my old fashioned tonight.
Metro
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sci-fi fans thrilled as 'most underrated show on TV' returns
The long-anticipated third season of Apple TV Plus' latest sci-fi fix premiered on July 11, and fans everywhere are buzzing. Despite its relatively low profile compared to shows like The Last of Us or Game of Thrones, Foundation – which is adapted from Isaac Asimov's landmark saga – has earned a reputation as one of television's 'most underrated' treasures. Season 3 sees a powerful new villain rise, deeper emotional stakes than ever before, and fans are already sharing their excitement online, with some predicting this series will give the show the attention it deserves. Jared Harris, Lou Llobell and Cassian Bilton are amongst the returning cast members from the two previous series. The new series sees The Mule, a powerful mutant who can control minds, threaten Seldon's plan to save humanity. Critics are heavily praising the new series, with season three earning an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score. Nick Schager, from The Daily Beast applauded the show: 'Foundation is television's grandest drama, and it continues to put the rest of its small-screen genre brethren to shame with its momentous, magnificent third season.' Fans are thrilled to have a bingeable sci-fi show back on their screens after the genre has dried up in recent years. X users were quick to applaud the new series with one fan, @thatcoolblknerd saying: '#Foundation is the most underrated show on television.' 'It's crazy how GOOD #Foundation looks compared to some recent Marvel films on a fraction of the budget.' @splashthatcat added. Another fan was quick to share his thoughts, @briandelvecchio, 'The #Foundation Season 3 premiere was really good, I can't wait for the rest of season 3.' Others have had to be reminded of Apple TV's name for underground shows, 'Renewed my Apple TV for #Foundation' @49erscarlos said on X. Mathematician Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) predicts the collapse of the 12,000-year-old Galactic Empire using a science called psychohistory (a mathematical model that forecasts societal behavior on a massive scale). To preserve human knowledge and shorten the dark age to come, Seldon proposes establishing the Foundation at the edge of the galaxy on a planet called Terminus. The Empire, ruled by a trio of cloned emperors (Brother Dawn, Day, and Dusk), views Seldon's predictions as treason. They exile him and his followers to Terminus. Hari is apparently murdered by his own protégé, Raych, but his consciousness lives on in a digital form (a 'ghost' in the Vault). Gaal (a gifted mathematician) and Salvor (warden of Terminus) emerge as key players. Salvor begins experiencing visions and strange powers that hint at deeper forces at play. As a warlike group called the Anacreons threaten Terminus, Salvor thwarts their attack with help from Hari's digital self-marking the success of the First Seldon Crisis. Roughly 100 years after Season 1, the Foundation has become more than a scientific outpost-it's now growing into a religious and economic power, using Hari's teachings as a doctrine. Internal instability grows within the Empire. Brother Day (Lee Pace) plans to break the cloning dynasty by marrying and producing a natural heir – sparking major conflict with Brothers Dusk and Dawn. Gaal Dornick, having been in cryosleep, awakens and discovers she has psychic abilities. She meets her daughter, Salvor Hardin (revealed to be born from a time-travel plot), and together they encounter a group of powerful telepaths called Mentalics. Hari (still present via the Vault) reveals there are actually two Foundations: the one on Terminus and a secret Second Foundation meant to guide humanity from behind the scenes. The final episodes tease the rise of The Mule, a powerful mutant with mind-control abilities, hinting at an existential threat far greater than anything the galaxy has faced. Now you can sit back and enjoy season 3 whilst understanding what is going on… Season three is set 152 years after Season two, catapulting the narrative into a galaxy in flux. The Foundation has risen to power, while the empire weakens – ushering in the dramatic arrival of The Mule, played by Pilou Asbaek, whose psychic might threatens everything. With Hari Seldon and Gaal Dornick in cryosleep, the story shifts to a more faction‑driven chronicle, blending massive space battles with high-stakes mental warfare. The production quality continues to stun audiences, with sprawling cosmic landscapes, intricate costume design, and a score that elevates each scene's tension. More Trending Series regulars Lee Pace and Laura Birn are also receiving praise for their evolving performances, with many commending their performances as the emotional spine of the show. It may not dominate pop culture headlines, but for sci‑fi devotees, this season is a vindication: a high‑concept epic delivered with ambition and heart. With ten episodes streaming weekly until September 12th, now is the moment to catch up on this 'underrated' sci-fi series. View More » Foundations season three is available to stream on Apple TV Plus now. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'It's a one season banger': Your favourite underrated true crime shows MORE: 'Epic' sci-fi series returns to streaming — and four more shows to binge this month MORE: 'Wildly entertaining' sci-fi series with 97% Rotten Tomatoes score gets second season
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Apple TV+ sci-fi epic that's 'strikingly relevant' has finally returned
Apple TV+ sci-fi epic that's 'strikingly relevant to today' has finally returned for season 3 The third season of Apple TV+'s Foundation sees the Galactic Empire facing its greatest threat yet Apple TV+'s enthralling sci-fi series, Foundation, returns for a third season, proving to be more relevant in today's context than ever. Adapted from the legendary Isaac Asimov's literature, Foundation unfolds an expansive narrative set tens of thousands of years into the future, where a dynasty of clones, originating from Emperor Cleon and played by Lee Pace, Cassian Bilton, and Terrence Mann as Brother Dawn, Day, and Dusk, governs the galaxy. The story revolves around the brilliant mathematician Hari Seldon (portrayed by Jared Harris), who develops psychohistory, a method to predict the future, and anticipates the collapse of the Empire, which would plunge society into a prolonged dark age. Seldon enlists the help of another mathematical prodigy, Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell), to establish the Foundation, a cosmic consortium aimed at safeguarding human knowledge and culture. In this season, their alliance confronts its most formidable adversary yet: the Mule (Pilou Asbæk), a Mentalic and mercurial conqueror with the power to manipulate people's wills, reports the Mirror. This epic sci-fi is releasing new episodes every Friday (Image: APPLE ) Article continues below Season three of Foundation stands out as a striking illustration of how science fiction, even when set eons ahead, can echo the contemporary challenges we encounter. Echoing this sentiment, Terrence Mann, who portrays Brother Dusk, shared with Express Online and other media outlets: "What happens in Foundation, for all three seasons, mirrors exactly what's happening in the world in any given country, or continent, or city, or home, or family, or town. "That part of humanity doesn't change, the dysfunctionality of families, they're there and we love them and that kind of storytelling has been here as long as the written word." His co-star Bilton, who plays Brother Dawn, remarked: "I think the show this season, more than other seasons, has a very confronting relevance to the world we're living in right now. Foundation faces its greatest threat yet in season 3 (Image: APPLE ) "What we explore this season is the idea that power ultimately shouldn't be held by one individual for too long. "There are elements of the Cleons' rule that are borderline fascistic, they are essentially autocrats. They're, for all intents and purposes, not democratically elected. They're clinging to power, even though that wouldn't be the right thing for them or anyone else. "You see across the entire Foundation universe the implications of that, and none of it's good. It really is war." Whilst Foundation has consistently resonated with both human history and modern life, the Mule brings fresh themes that will feel unnervingly relevant to today's digital environment. "You have that on one side and also another thing that strikes me as relevant is the Mentalic element of this season," Bilton continued. "Of course it is a science-fiction idea but, I think with the rise of social media and its influence on the way in which we carry out our daily lives and the choices that we make being informed by the time we spend on our phones has echoes in what the Mule is able to do. The Cleon dynasty struggles to keep hold of Empire's power (Image: APPLE ) Get Apple TV+ free for a week This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £8.99 £0 Apple TV+ Get Apple TV+ here Product Description TV fans can get Apple TV+ free with a seven-day trial and stream acclaimed shows like Severance, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends and you won't pay a penny. "It's not so much that he has a very strong army of people with weapons, but he can get in the minds of people. What you're seeing now, both with the rise of AI and the proliferation of social media globally, is people have a shortcut into your attention and your mind. "Capitalism has taken over every single land mass in the world and now the thing it's coming for is the real estate of your mind. Article continues below "That's echoed in the Mule so I do think there's a striking relevance this season to the world we're living in." Viewers have hailed the programme as "magnificent and majestic" whilst others have described it as a "groundbreaking adaptation" of Asimov's original works, so ensure you carve out time for this remarkable science fiction series without delay. Foundation season 3 continues Fridays on Apple TV+.
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
New releases for your streaming pleasure: July 9-15
Looking for a title to binge-watch this weekend? Here's our pick! APPLE TV+ Premieres on July 11 Based on Isaac Asimov's award-winning stories, the 10-episode season will have episodes every Friday till Sept 12. Season three continues the epic chronicle of a band of exiles on their monumental journey to save humanity and rebuild civilisation amid the fall of the Galactic Empire. Set 152 years after the events of season two, The Foundation has become increasingly established far beyond its humble beginnings, while the Cleonic Dynasty's Empire has dwindled. As both of these galactic powers forge an uneasy alliance, a threat to the entire galaxy emerges in the fearsome form of a warlord known as 'The Mule', whose sights are set on ruling the universe through physical and military force, as well as mind control. It's anyone's guess who will win, who will lose, who will live and who will die as a potentially deadly game of intergalactic chess is played. The Wild Ones Premieres on July 11 A six-part documentary adventure series that follows a team of elite wildlife experts as they journey into the world's most remote and unforgiving environments to find, film and help protect critically endangered species. Featuring former Royal Marines Commando and expedition leader Aldo Kane, wildlife and camera trap expert Declan Burley, and ecological storyteller and wildlife cinematographer Vianet Djenguet, the series blends high-stakes adventure with groundbreaking science and conservation. Together, the trio travels to six countries — Malaysia, Mongolia, Armenia, Indonesia, Canada and Gabon — capturing rare footage of elusive and endangered species, including the Malayan tiger, Gobi bear, Caucasian leopard, Javan rhino, North Atlantic right whale and Western lowland gorilla. The team's discoveries have already contributed to identifying a new individual rhino, protecting a new tiger cub litter and advancing anti-poaching efforts. Ballard Premieres on July 9 Ballard continues to bring Michael Connelly's best-selling novels to life, following Detective Renée Ballard as she leads the LAPD's new and underfunded cold case division, tackling the city's most challenging long-forgotten crimes with empathy and relentless determination. As she peels back layers of crimes spanning decades, including a serial killer's string of murders and a murdered John Doe, she soon uncovers a dangerous conspiracy within the LAPD. With the help of her volunteer team and retired detective Harry Bosch, Detective Ballard navigates personal trauma, professional challenges and life-threatening dangers to expose the truth. New Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt Premieres on July 9 In Daten City, a realm between heaven and hell, sinister spirits known as "Ghosts" prowl the streets, feeding on human desires and resentment. Yet, in the darkest moments, two figures emerge to obliterate these vengeful beings with a divine light beyond human understanding. Their names? Panty & Stocking. These fallen angel sisters have been tasked with purging the darkness engulfing the Earth. But who are they, really? Are they truly messengers of God... or agents of the Devil? HBO/MAX Rage Premieres on July 11 Originally known as "Furia", the Spanish series premieres in Spain on the same day. Five women face extreme situations like extortion, oppression and manipulation. Their conflicts all intertwine, triggering a butterfly effect, ultimately leading to a shared catharsis. Back To The Frontier Premieres on July 10 Families will leave the 21st century behind to live as 1800s pioneers in this bold social experiment that will test their strength, stamina and sense of humour. Premieres on July 12 A young stripper from Brooklyn meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairy tale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. FOOD NETWORK House Of Knives Premieres on July 12 Chefs compete using cooking, strategy and survival skills for the throne. Weekly rulers are chosen through cultural challenges, with eliminations and new entries keeping six players. Winner gets US$100,000. DISCOVERY Gold Rush: White Water Season 9 Premieres on July 14 The Dakota Boys assemble a team of divers, mountaineers, and mechanics to explore uncharted plunge pools in white water rapids, using suction dredges in treacherous conditions where a mistake could prove fatal. TLC Super Mega Cakes NETFLIX Ziam Premieres on July 9 In a fight for survival against a horrifying army of zombies, a former Muay Thai fighter must use skill, speed and grit to save his wife — and his life. Under A Dark Sun Premieres on July 9 On the run from her troubled past, a young mother is accused of killing her new boss at a flower farm just before discovering he's actually her father. Building The Band Premieres on July 9 In this innovative reality series, gifted singers vie for a chance to form the next great music group sight unseen, leaving looks out of the equation. Brick Premieres on July 10 When a mysterious brick wall encloses their apartment building overnight, Tim and Olivia must unite with their wary neighbours to get out alive. Leviathan Premieres on July 10 Set in an alternate steampunk past, an Austrian fugitive prince and a Scottish airman in disguise embark on an unexpected quest to prevent a world war. The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Premieres on July 13 When the intimidating Rintarou meets the open-minded Kaoruko, the unlikely duo grows closer. The issue? Their neighbouring high schools hate each other. Baghead Premieres on July 14 Beneath her late father's pub, a woman encounters an entity that can channel the dead if she follows the rules — and unleash horror if she doesn't. Sakamoto Days: Season 1 Part 2 Premieres on July 14 Once the greatest hitman of all, Taro Sakamoto retired in the name of love. But when his past catches up, he must fight to protect his beloved family. Premieres on July 15 Goku learns about his Saiyan heritage and defends the Earth, along with his son Gohan, from former compatriots Raditz, Nappa and Vegeta.
