Apple TV+ isn’t ready to land just yet—For All Mankind is officially returning for Season 5, and the alternate-history space drama is more ambitious than ever. After the Season 4 finale delivered an emotional gut punch and left major storylines orbiting unresolved, fans can look forward to a return trip that promises high stakes, fresh faces, and even deeper dives into a speculative version of 21st-century space exploration.
Season 5 Is in Post-Production—But There’s a Wait
Filming for Season 5 began in July 2024 and officially wrapped by December 2024, following the series’ usual meticulous production schedule. While Apple TV+ hasn’t yet confirmed a premiere date, we’re likely looking at a late summer to fall 2025 release window—though a delay into early 2026 remains possible depending on post-production timelines.
The show’s visual effects—critical for rendering Mars, lunar facilities, and space travel in believable detail—require an extended post cycle. This has been consistent with previous seasons, which often launched about 9–12 months after principal filming wrapped.
What’s Next in the Story?
Season 5 jumps forward again, this time landing in an alternate 2012—a world shaped by decades of expanded space programs, commercial space stations, and tragic accidents. The narrative will build on fallout from Season 4’s asteroid-mining arc, which challenged the ethics and limits of capitalism in space.
Expect political tension, technological leaps, and personal reckonings. Mars will remain central, but the showrunners have hinted at expanding scope: think deep-space colonization, privatized tech warfare, and maybe even a look at how Earth has changed after decades of accelerated innovation.
New Faces in the Space Race
The cast for Season 5 brings in several notable additions:
- Costa Ronin as Lenya
- Mireille Enos as Celia Boyd
- Tyler Labine, Ines Asserson (A.J. Jarrett), and Barrett Carnahan round out new recurring roles
Returning stars include Joel Kinnaman, Krys Marshall, Toby Kebbell, Wrenn Schmidt, and Edi Gathegi, anchoring the ensemble with their deeply established characters—many of whom have aged and evolved over multiple time jumps thanks to the show’s generational scope.
Apple Expands the Universe with “Star City” Spin-Off
In a major move to build on the For All Mankind franchise, Apple has greenlit a spin-off series titled Star City. This new show shifts perspective to the Soviet side of the space race, offering a parallel narrative focused on cosmonauts, Russian politics, and the cultural undercurrents of the Cold War in space.
Filming for Star City began in February 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania, and the cast includes:
- Rhys Ifans
- Anna Maxwell Martin
- Ali Suliman
- Nadia Tereszkiewicz
The creators (including Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert) remain attached, ensuring the spin-off retains the same level of narrative sophistication and historical detail that fans have come to expect.
Why It Matters
For All Mankind has quietly become Apple TV+’s longest-running scripted drama, and its layered storytelling and realistic space tech have earned it praise from both critics and the scientific community. It’s one of the few shows that balances geopolitical intrigue, personal drama, and speculative science with a sense of grounded optimism.
With the addition of Star City and a fifth season that promises to shake up the status quo yet again, Apple is clearly betting that the For All Mankind universe has only just begun to lift off.
While You Wait
All four existing seasons of For All Mankind are currently available on Apple TV+. Now’s a great time to rewatch—or binge for the first time—before the story rockets into its next chapter. Expect teaser trailers and release updates to drop later this year, potentially timed with one of Apple’s upcoming events.
Key Takeaways
- For All Mankind Season 5 is filming now and aiming for a Fall 2025 premiere on Apple TV+.
- There’s a spinoff series, “Star City,” on the way to expand the universe.
- All four previous seasons are streaming on Apple TV+ if you want to catch up (or rewatch).
Overview of For All Mankind (Season 5)
Season five is shaping up to keep the show’s bold, what-if vision rolling. Apple TV+ has made it official, and with filming already started, it’s clear they’re not wasting any time before diving back into this wild alternate timeline.
Plot Developments and Alternate Timeline
For All Mankind isn’t shy about shaking things up with big time jumps, and Season 5’s probably going to be no different. The show’s always been about pushing the “what if the space race never ended?” idea and seeing how it would mess with global politics, tech, and even pop culture.
After Season 4’s wild ride on Mars at Happy Valley, there’s a good chance the story stretches even further out into the solar system. The creative team—Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi, and Ronald D. Moore—have built this alternate world where the Iron Curtain never really closed, and space tech is decades ahead of what we got in real life.
So, expect more of those clever “what if” scenarios, mixing up real historical figures with made-up astronauts and engineers, all in a universe where the Soviets never lost their edge.
Returning and New Cast
There’s no official cast list yet, which isn’t much of a surprise at this point. Still, most fans are expecting to see some familiar faces, at least the ones who made it through Season 4. These time jumps mean we could also get a bunch of new characters—maybe the next batch of cosmonauts or NASA hopefuls.
Apple TV+ confirmed the spinoff “Star City” is in the works too, so who knows—maybe we’ll see some crossovers, or at least a few new actors stepping into the spotlight.
The show’s always been good at blending the old cast with newcomers, letting us see how each new era brings its own drama and personalities.
Major Themes and Story Arcs
Season 5’s bound to keep digging into the big themes: rivalry, reluctant teamwork, and the personal toll that comes with chasing the stars. The tension between the U.S. and the Soviets is still the heart of it, with space as both a battleground and, maybe, a place for real connection.
As FandomWire puts it, the next season’s “positioned to soar through evolving storylines and life on different planets.” So, yeah, we might be heading past Mars, maybe even further out. Who knows—maybe the show will finally get us to the edge of the solar system.
And don’t worry, fan-favorite bits like the “Hi Bob” drinking game and the show’s obsession with tech details aren’t going anywhere. If anything, the science and speculation are just getting wilder as humanity keeps pushing the limits in this alternate universe.
How to Watch For All Mankind (S5) on Apple TV+
With Season 5 on the horizon, a lot of folks are probably wondering how and where to tune in. If you’re already hooked, you probably know the drill, but here’s a quick rundown just in case.
Streaming Availability and Platforms
For All Mankind Season 5 is an Apple TV+ exclusive—no shock there. To watch, you’ll need an active subscription, which is $9.99 a month after the 7-day free trial (handy if you’re new).
You can stream it just about anywhere with the Apple TV app:
- iPhone and iPad
- Apple TV 4K/HD boxes
- Most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, you name it)
- Roku and Amazon Fire TV sticks
- PlayStation and Xbox consoles
- Or just go to tv.apple.com in your browser
Based on how the last seasons dropped, expect a weekly release schedule, not a binge dump. The best guess for Season 5’s premiere is still early 2025, but nothing’s set in stone yet.
Apple TV+ also lets you download episodes for offline viewing, which is a lifesaver if you’re traveling or your Wi-Fi’s spotty.
Distribution and Production
Sony Pictures Television’s still producing the show with Apple, and the production values are as slick as ever. If you’ve watched any of the previous seasons, you know they don’t cut corners on visuals or storytelling.
The show’s always been about mixing up real history with its own version of the future, and it sounds like Season 5 will keep that going strong. They usually take about 12-18 months between seasons, so the expected summer 2025 release tracks.
Apple’s clearly invested in this series, from renewing it to splashing out on set design and marketing. It’s one of their flagship originals, right up there with “Foundation” and “Severance.”
Potential Spinoffs and Legacy
That new spinoff, “Star City,” is going to give us the Soviet perspective on the space race, which honestly sounds like a pretty cool angle. It adds another layer to the show’s legacy and could bring in a whole new audience.
“For All Mankind” has really made a name for itself with:
- Smart alternate history storytelling
- Characters that actually grow and change over decades
- Surprisingly accurate science and tech
- Mixing huge global events with personal drama
The fanbase is dedicated, and critics have been pretty generous too. It’s even sparked some real-world interest in space and alternate history, which is kind of wild for a streaming show.
With Apple building out the franchise, it looks like they’re aiming for the kind of interconnected universe that’s worked for other platforms. The main show and the spinoff will probably share some DNA—maybe even some characters or storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s always a ton of speculation around a new season, so here are a few answers to questions fans keep tossing around.
What is the official release date for For All Mankind Season 5 on Apple TV+?
So far, Apple TV+ hasn’t dropped an exact date. The renewal was announced in April 2024, and if past seasons are any clue, we’re probably looking at late 2025 or maybe even early 2026.
Are there any new cast members joining For All Mankind for its fifth season?
No official word yet on new faces. The show’s always added fresh characters with each time jump, so it’s a safe bet there’ll be some newcomers. Returning cast announcements usually come closer to when filming ramps up.
Can viewers expect to see Ed Baldwin return in the fifth season of For All Mankind?
Honestly? It’s up in the air. Joel Kinnaman’s Ed Baldwin was left in a pretty ambiguous spot at the end of Season 4. Given how the show handles time jumps and aging, Ed’s role might be smaller or changed up—if he’s back at all.
What are the main plot points of For All Mankind Season 5?
No official story details yet. What we do know: Season 5 is set to explore new planets and evolving storylines, building on what happened in Season 4. Expect more alternate history, more space colonization, and probably a few surprises.
How has For All Mankind series portrayed queer characters throughout the seasons?
The show’s done a solid job with LGBTQ+ representation, weaving queer characters into the story without making it feel forced or token-y. Their arcs are about their work and relationships, not just their identity, and critics have noticed how naturally it’s all handled in this alternate-history setting.
Where can I find reviews and opinions about For All Mankind Season 5?
Well, there aren’t any actual reviews for Season 5 out there yet—makes sense, since it hasn’t dropped. If you’re itching to see what people are speculating about, you’ll find plenty of chatter and wild theories on Reddit or over at the For All Mankind Wiki on Fandom. Fans love to guess where the story’s headed, and honestly, some predictions get pretty creative.
As for official stuff, Apple TV+ will probably roll out trailers and promos before the new season lands. Once episodes start streaming, you can bet the bigger entertainment sites will start posting their reviews. Just gotta wait a little longer, I guess.
