Apple TV+ is taking a bold leap further into alternate history with Star City, a high-stakes, espionage-driven spinoff of its acclaimed series For All Mankind. While the parent show chronicled a version of the space race where the Soviets beat the U.S. to the Moon, Star City shifts the focus entirely behind the Iron Curtain—giving us a gripping Soviet perspective that promises to deepen and darken the franchise’s already ambitious lore.
Created by For All Mankind veterans Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert, Star City is described as a “propulsive, paranoid thriller” that dramatizes the shadowy lives of cosmonauts, engineers, and KGB operatives inside the USSR’s real-life Star City training center. While the original show played with geopolitics through the lens of NASA, this new series digs deep into Cold War secrecy, state surveillance, and the human cost of ideological competition in space.
A Glimpse Inside Soviet Star City
Production for Star City officially began in February 2025, with the show being filmed in Vilnius, Lithuania. Several Soviet-style locations—such as Vingis Park and the Pašilaičiai district—are being transformed to stand in for the actual “Zvezdny Gorodok” (Star City), the secretive cosmonaut training center outside Moscow that has existed since the early 1960s.
The real Star City was home to legends like Yuri Gagarin and Alexei Leonov and has always fascinated historians and space enthusiasts due to its closed-door operations during the Cold War. Apple TV+ is seizing this mystique to craft a story rich in political intrigue, internal betrayals, and the psychological toll of space ambition under authoritarian rule.
The Cast: Familiar Faces, New Tensions
Leading the ensemble is Rhys Ifans, known for his work in House of the Dragon and Notting Hill. He’s joined by a stellar cast including:
- Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, A Spy Among Friends)
- Solly McLeod (Tom Jones)
- Agnes O’Casey (Ridley Road)
- Alice Englert (Beautiful Creatures)
- Adam Nagaitis (Chernobyl, The Terror)
- Josef Davies (Catherine Called Birdy)
- Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (The Serpent)
This diverse cast hints at a multi-faceted narrative that explores both the elite cosmonauts and the people operating in the shadows—scientists, operatives, and ideologues—all caught in the machinations of a paranoid state.
Release Timeline and Expectations
While Apple has not yet revealed an official release date, most insiders expect Star City to debut sometime in mid to late 2026, allowing ample time for post-production and international marketing. Given Apple’s track record with prestige sci-fi series like Foundation and Invasion, a well-timed teaser trailer is likely to arrive by late 2025 or early 2026.
The series is expected to carry the same high production values and narrative sophistication that have defined For All Mankind. It may also build subtle connections with the parent show, potentially through character cameos or overlapping events, though nothing has been confirmed.
Why Star City Matters
Star City isn’t just a spinoff—it’s a smart extension of a franchise that continues to push boundaries. By exploring the USSR’s role in space exploration, Apple is opening the door to a rarely dramatized perspective—one steeped in cultural pride, institutional paranoia, and scientific brilliance under pressure. It also presents a fresh opportunity to reflect on today’s geopolitical climate through the lens of Cold War fiction, something that’s increasingly relevant in 2025.
Quick Recap:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Production Start | February 2025, Vilnius, Lithuania |
| Setting | Soviet-era Star City (space training center) |
| Genre | Espionage thriller with sci-fi elements |
| Cast | Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, Adam Nagaitis, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis & more |
| Creators | Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert |
| Expected Release | Mid-to-late 2026 |
| Trailer | Likely in late 2025 |
If For All Mankind redefined what sci-fi could say about history, Star City is poised to redefine how we view the other side of that history. With secrets, sabotage, and Soviet ambition at its core, this spinoff could be Apple TV+’s next breakout hit.
Key Takeaways
- “Star City” is an upcoming Apple TV+ thriller starring Rhys Ifans, exploring the Soviet side of the alternate history space race.
- It’s a spin-off of “For All Mankind” and will run alongside the main show’s fifth season.
- Filming started in early 2025, so “Star City” is shaping up to be a major new entry in Apple’s streaming lineup.
Overview of Apple TV+ Star City
Star City is an upcoming Apple TV+ series starring Rhys Ifans, and it’s all about the Soviet side of an alternate Space Race. The show expands the “For All Mankind” universe, but this time, we’re seeing things from behind the Iron Curtain.
Premise and Setting
Star City drops viewers into a paranoid thriller set right in the thick of the Cold War. The focus? The Soviet Union’s space program and the cosmonauts who risked it all, offering a rare look at the Space Race from the other side.
Unlike “For All Mankind,” which is all NASA and American bravado, “Star City” leans hard into the political intrigue and day-to-day tension of Soviet life. It’s named after the real cosmonaut training center near Moscow, which, honestly, is a pretty cool nod to history.
The show’s set in an alternate history, so don’t expect everything to play out as you’d expect. There are familiar touchpoints, sure, but the story’s got plenty of surprises up its sleeve.
Connection to For All Mankind
This isn’t just a random spin-off—Star City is directly tied to “For All Mankind.” The original follows NASA and the Americans, but here, the script’s flipped to the Soviet side.
It keeps that alternate history vibe that made the first series such a hit. Both shows exist in the same timeline, so don’t be surprised if there’s some crossover—characters, events, maybe even a few Easter eggs for long-time fans.
If you’ve watched “For All Mankind,” you’ll probably spot some familiar events, only now you’ll see them from a totally different perspective. It’s a clever way to fill in gaps and add new context to what you thought you knew.
“Star City” is aiming for a mid to late 2026 release, so mark your calendars (or just try to remember—2026 is a ways off).
Key Creative Team and Cast
They’ve kept the core creative team together—Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi are back as executive producers. If you liked the original’s vibe, chances are you’ll dig this one too.
Rhys Ifans leads the cast, with Anna Maxwell Martin, Solly McLeod, and Agnes O’Casey joining the lineup. There’s also Alice Englert, Adam Nagaitis, Josef Davies, and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis. Not a bad group, right?
Production’s in the hands of Tall Ship Productions and Sony Pictures Television—same folks as “For All Mankind.” So, expect the same level of detail and high-end production. The writers are crafting a story that stands on its own, but still fits neatly into the larger universe.
Major Themes and Unique Elements
“Star City” takes the Soviet side of the Space Race and mixes in espionage, historical drama, and a healthy dose of alternate history. The Cold War tension is thick, and the world of the Soviet space program is just as fascinating as you’d hope.
Exploration of Espionage and the KGB
The KGB is pretty much everywhere in “Star City,” adding a constant edge of suspense. This isn’t just a background detail—the show is a paranoid thriller that really leans into intelligence operations and the ever-present sense that someone’s always watching.
KGB surveillance is a big deal here. Characters have to watch their backs, and even the most innocent conversation could be risky. The intelligence officers aren’t just lurking in the shadows—they’re actively shaping the direction of the space program.
Espionage isn’t just window dressing; it’s baked right into the plot. Compared to the American-focused “For All Mankind,” you really feel the weight of state security when you’re seeing things through Soviet eyes. It’s a different kind of tension, even when the events overlap.
Soviet Space Program and Cosmonauts
“Star City” puts Soviet cosmonauts and their teams front and center. The show digs into the lives of these space pioneers, showing just how much pressure they were under.
The Chief Designer and Soviet engineers get plenty of screen time, too. You see how they pulled off some wild feats, often with limited resources. Their struggles and breakthroughs are a big part of what makes the story tick.
The highs and lows of the Russian space program play out against the ever-present Cold War backdrop. You get a real sense of what it took for these cosmonauts to train, survive, and chase national glory.
Some real historical figures from the Soviet program show up, too. Their stories add a human face to a side of history that’s usually painted as cold and faceless in the West.
Historical Accuracy and Alt-History Layers
“Star City” walks a fine line between sticking to the facts and playing with alt-history. Like “For All Mankind,” the timeline takes some big detours—but the show still grounds itself in real Soviet society, tech, and politics.
You’ll see key moments reimagined—the lunar landing, for example, but with a Soviet twist. Stuff you might remember from the original show gets a fresh spin.
The alternate history side of things leads to some pretty wild “what if” scenarios. It’s fun to think about how just a few small changes might have totally flipped the script on space exploration and global politics.
Reception and Audience Impact
Early buzz says “Star City” is going to hit with both long-time fans and folks new to the “For All Mankind” world. Critics are already praising its storytelling and the unique Soviet perspective.
The trailer, when it finally dropped, got people talking—a lot. There’s real excitement for this Soviet-focused spinoff, and it’s not just coming from the usual sci-fi crowd.
There are some challenges, sure—language barriers, for one. But the show seems to be handling that pretty well, aiming for authenticity without losing the global audience.
With “For All Mankind” heading into season five, “Star City” is a big step in expanding Apple TV+’s sci-fi corner. The thriller elements add a whole new vibe to this alt-history Space Race.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a quick rundown of what people are asking about “Star City,” the upcoming Apple TV+ spinoff of “For All Mankind.” There’s a lot of curiosity—and honestly, some stuff we just don’t know yet.
When is the release date for ‘Star City’ on Apple TV+?
“Star City” is expected to land sometime in mid to late 2026. Apple TV+ has made the announcement, but they’re keeping the exact date under wraps for now.
So, it’ll be a while after “For All Mankind” season five drops. Patience, friends.
Who are the main cast members of Apple TV+’s ‘Star City’?
The whole cast list hasn’t been made official yet. Apple has confirmed there’s an interesting cast and crew, but most names are still a mystery.
There’s a lot of speculation about cameos from the original, but nothing’s set in stone yet.
How many episodes does ‘Star City’ on Apple TV+ have?
No word on episode count so far. Apple TV+ usually goes with 8-10 episodes per season, but who knows—they could mix it up for the new spinoff.
Expect more details closer to the release date.
Is there a trailer available for ‘Star City’ on Apple TV+?
Nope, no trailer yet. With the show not coming until 2026, production’s probably still ramping up.
Keep an eye out for teasers or trailers late in 2025 or maybe early 2026.
What is the storyline of ‘Star City’ on Apple TV+?
“Star City” is set to expand the “For All Mankind” universe, but plot details are still pretty scarce. The title points to a focus on the Soviet/Russian space program—specifically, Star City, the cosmonaut training hub near Moscow.
Expect the show to play in the same alternate history sandbox as the original, just from a very different point of view.
How can I watch ‘Star City’ on Apple TV+?
If you’re hoping to catch “Star City,” you’ll need to head over to Apple TV+, since it’s streaming there exclusively. Yeah, that does mean you’ll need an Apple TV+ subscription once the show drops.
You can get to Apple TV+ through the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box. Or, if you’re not in the Apple ecosystem, it works just fine on most smart TVs, a bunch of streaming devices, and even straight from your browser at tv.apple.com.
They usually offer a free trial if you haven’t signed up before, so you can test it out before paying the monthly fee. Not a bad deal if you’re just curious, right?
