Apple TV+ is expanding its acclaimed series, For All Mankind, with an exciting new spinoff titled Star City. Originally launched in 2019, For All Mankind presents an alternate history where the Space Race never concluded, delving into humanity’s ambitious journey into the cosmos. The series is renowned for its rich character arcs and significant time leaps, skillfully balancing an idealistic and realistic portrayal of the future while consistently reflecting humanity’s inherent flaws.
As For All Mankind prepares for its fifth season, it stands as one of Apple TV+’s flagship offerings, alongside Slow Horses, making it one of the longest-running shows on the platform. The upcoming spinoff, Star City, aims to transform the series into a broader franchise by offering a fresh perspective: this time, viewers will witness the Space Race through the lens of the Soviet Union. With a wealth of casting and story details emerging, fans can anticipate its release sooner rather than later.
Latest Updates on the Star City Spinoff
First Cast Member Announcement
After nearly a year since Star City was first announced, the spinoff has confirmed its inaugural cast member: Rhys Ifans. Widely recognized for his role in the hit series House of the Dragon, Ifans will portray the Chief Designer of the Soviet Space Program, a pivotal figure during the early phases of the Space Race. Although the specifics of his character remain under wraps, his involvement likely signals more casting announcements in the near future.
It’s worth noting that Ifans will continue to reprise his role as Otto Hightower in House of the Dragon.
Confirmation of Star City Spinoff
Official Announcement Made in 2024
| Franchise Show | Release Year(s) | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|
| For All Mankind | 2019-Present | 92% |
| Star City | N/A | N/A |
2024 marked a significant milestone for Apple TV+, as the platform confirmed season 5 of For All Mankind while also unveiling plans for the Star City spinoff. Although the project was still developing at that time, many plot elements were disclosed. Creatively, Ronald D. Moore, alongside Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi, is set to helm this new addition, with Wolpert and Nedivi serving as showrunners.
In a July 2024 update, Ronald D. Moore elaborated on the writing strategy for the spinoff, stating:
[W]e have a path. We have a general arc. It’s probably not as detailed as what we started off with on For All Mankind, but we have a general sort of, “Okay, here’s the structure of how this would play out over several seasons.”
I’m not sure what the [time] jumps will be. We know we are going to jump through time. We haven’t quite got to that point yet. It’s probably still a in-the-decade, or so, jump ahead…
As of 2025, while initial casting news has surfaced, a production timeline remains undisclosed. Apple TV+ continues to be tight-lipped regarding the anticipated release date. With season 5 of For All Mankind also on the schedule, the platform may look to interlink both series seamlessly.
Cast Details for Star City Spinoff
Rhys Ifans at the Forefront
Mirroring its predecessor, Star City is expected to feature a diverse ensemble cast, particularly as the narrative advances through various timelines.
Although comprehensive details about the cast are limited at this stage, Rhys Ifans has secured the lead role as the Chief Designer of the Soviet Space Program. His character, who has yet to be named, plays an integral part in the early stages of the USSR’s space endeavors. Ifans’ history of portraying authoritative roles, notably in House of the Dragon, makes him a suitable fit for this pivotal position. As further casting choices are unveiled, more information about the ensemble is anticipated.
Story Insights for Star City Spinoff
Rethinking the Space Race Through a Soviet Lens
Apple TV+ has also provided a glimpse into the core narrative of Star City. The series intends to follow an identical timeline to For All Mankind, but shifts the narrative focus to the Soviet Union’s journey in space exploration. This installment looks to incorporate elements of suspense and intrigue, interweaving the highly charged atmosphere of the Space Race with the oppressive environment of the Soviet regime.
As described in Apple’s official synopsis:
Star City is a propulsive paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race – when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they all took to propel humanity forward.
Ronald D. Moore further emphasized the narrative’s challenges in a July 2024 briefing. He highlighted how the involvement of the KGB intensifies the stakes surrounding space exploration within the USSR. Since the Soviets achieved a fictional moon landing before the U. S.in the For All Mankind universe, Star City will illustrate the sacrifices and perils endured by members of the Soviet Space Program in their quest for victory.
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