Summary

• Foundation season 3 may struggle to maintain the quality of the first two installments due to production issues and potential cost cuts.
• The Mule's arc will be a key focus in the season, with a 150-year time jump setting the stage for a dramatic war.
• Questions surrounding the Cleonic Dynasty and its DNA degradation promise plenty of drama in Foundation season 3.

changes to Isaac Asimov's Foundation books. While I hope this continues in the coming run of episodes, certain information surrounding the production makes me worried.

The characters in Foundation season 3 will have varying degrees of power, meaning the saga's continuation will be just as unpredictable as ever. Foundation season 2's ending left the space opera in a very compelling place, so I'm thoroughly excited to see what happens next when the show returns. On the other hand, I'm also of the opinion that there's sufficient cause to believe the episodes may fall short in certain areas.

Foundation Season 3 Has Faced Some Production Issues

The Apple TV+ space opera has fought an uphill battle to continue

Foundation was one of many shows affected by the 2023 strikes that derailed so many other projects. Unfortunately, even when the strikes were over, that didn't mean an end to the disruption, as Foundation season 3 halted production again in February 2024. After assembling in Prague to resume shooting, the cast and crew were sent home (via Independent). Reports from Deadline reveal that the sudden halt took place due to "Issues with budgeting and physical production."

I really hope the stop-start nature of Foundation season 3 hasn't negatively impacted its quality.

Producing a TV show is an incredibly creative endeavor. As such, I really hope the stop-start nature of Foundation season 3 hasn't negatively impacted its quality. It can't be easy to stay in the same headspace and not become frustrated at the uneven flow of a production process such as this. Of course, everyone involved is a professional and is likely accustomed to similar obstacles. Still, it's tough not to consider it as a possible problem.

Apple TV+’s Reported Cost Cuts Make Me Even More Worried About Foundation’s Future

I hope Foundation's glossy aesthetic doesn't suffer

Reports from Bloomberg suggest Apple is "Growing a little more cost-conscious." I've noticed the profitability of streaming is becoming a growing concern across many platforms - including Apple TV+. This adds to my increasing worry about what the future of Foundation could look like - starting with the coming season. The sci-fi show makes heavy use of SFX as well as bespoke physical sets, neither of which can be easy on its budget. If Foundation has its costs cut as suggested by recent reports, its vibrant aesthetic could suffer.

If Foundation has its costs cut as suggested by recent reports, its vibrant aesthetic could suffer.

I would like to think that Foundation season 3 only resumed once it was confident in producing the show on what is now presumably a reduced budget. If they were forced into continuing due to timescales but lacked the money to maintain the show's high standards, then the coming season's reception could take a hit. If this happens, I think there's a very real possibility that Foundation season 4 never gets greenlit. Hopefully, that's not the case.

What To Expect From Foundation Season 3’s Story

The Mule's arc will be a huge focal point

end of Foundation season 2 also takes the narrative into the heart of the war between Empire and Harry Seldon's Foundation.

Hari Seldon and Gaal Dornick's navigation of the timeline via various preservation technologies continues to serve them well.

Despite the massive time jump, Foundation season 3's cast will still be thoroughly recognizable. Despite not boasting anything more than a regular human lifespan, Hari Seldon and Gaal Dornick's navigation of the timeline via various preservation technologies continues to serve them well when it comes to their continued presence in the story. Similarly, Lee Pace will return as Brother Day, as will all the other Clone Emperor actors - albeit playing distant successors to the previous versions of their characters. It's this brilliant casting framework that contributes to my love of the show.

Cleonic Dynasty will be in over a century and a half after the battle in season 2's finale. With Lady Demerzel confirmed to be pulling the strings and the clones' continued DNA degradation, Brothers Dawn, Day and Dusk could be acting in increasingly erratic ways. One thing is certain: there will be no shortage of drama in Foundation season 3.

Sources: Independent, Deadline, Bloomberg