For All Mankind's season 5 finale airs on May 29, marking the penultimate step in the alt-history space-race saga before its sixth and final season premieres in 2027. However, fans of the show's unique blend of personal drama, political intrigue, and high-stakes space missions won't have to wait for the final season to get their next fix of Apple TV sci-fi, thanks to Star City, a series that might have flown under the radar due to its deceptive title but promises to fill the void admirably.
Star City, created by the same minds behind For All Mankind—Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi—shifts focus to the Soviet side of the Space Race, offering a distinctly different viewing experience. Unlike For All Mankind, which progressively amplifies its sci-fi elements with each decade jump, Star City is characterized by more intrigue and less sci-fi, plunging viewers into the tense, paranoid world of the Soviet space program's top-secret base.
About Star City
Set in the 1970s, Star City delves into the heart of the Soviet Union's space endeavors, specifically focusing on the isolated community of cosmonauts, engineers, and the ever-watchful intelligence officers at the Star City base. The series captures the palpable sense of paranoia, where the fear of interrogation outweighs the dangers of experimental space flights.
"[We’re] capturing that sense of paranoia and not knowing who to trust."
Matt Wolpert
This shift in tone promises a gripping, character-driven narrative that explores the human side of the Space Race under the shadow of the Cold War.
Differing from For All Mankind's approach of advancing through decades and the associated challenges of aging characters, Star City will maintain its 1970s setting across seasons. This creative choice allows for a consistent aesthetic appeal, with more emphasis on the era's music and styles, and spares the cast from the burdens of heavy aging makeup or the narrative complications of tracking characters over long periods.
What This Means for Fans
The timing of Star City's release, with its first two episodes dropping on May 29, coinciding with the For All Mankind season 5 finale, is strategic. It provides a seamless transition for fans of Apple TV's sci-fi lineup, which has successfully carved out a niche with shows like Severance and Murderbot. Star City not only fills the immediate gap but also sets the stage for a deep summer of sci-fi on Apple TV, with Silo season 3 arriving on July 3 and Dark Matter season 2 on August 28.
"To not have to think about what our characters are doing 10 years later and have to age our poor actors, being able to just pick up when the next season starts the next day or a week later, it sounds like a dream to us."
Matt Wolpert
This approach promises a tightly wound, consistent narrative that can delve deeper into the complexities of its characters without the narrative leaps required by For All Mankind.
How to Watch Star City
Viewers can catch Star City on Apple TV, with the first two episodes available on May 29. New episodes will be released every Friday until July 10. For those not already subscribed, Apple TV offers a one-week free trial, followed by a monthly subscription at $12.99. An additional $2 monthly can secure a Peacock subscription for broader viewing options.
With its premiere strategically aligned with the end of For All Mankind's fifth season, Star City is poised to capture the attention of sci-fi enthusiasts. Its unique blend of Cold War espionage and the personal struggles within the Soviet space program offers a fresh, gripping narrative that diverges from yet complements the sci-fi heavy themes of For All Mankind.
