For All Mankind (TV series)

In an alternate timeline in 1969, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov becomes the first human to land on the Moon. This outcome devastates morale at NASA but also catalyzes a U.S. effort to catch up. With the Soviet Union emphasizing equality by including a woman in subsequent landings, the United States is forced to match pace, equally training women and ethnic minorities (who were largely excluded from the initial decades of U.S. space exploration). Pushed by higher competition, the Soviet and other blocs favor more competent leaders, modernizing earlier and on more rational ground. With sustained investments in technology, a broad, sustained, and global technological race takes place, with a wide range of dramatic civilian effects, such as early civil rights, electric vehicles, civilian fusion power, controlled CO2 production, and no climate crisis. Each subsequent season takes place about a decade later, with season two taking place in the 1980s, season three taking place in the 1990s, season four taking place in the 2000s, and season five taking place in the 2010s. Ronald D. Moore explained how historical reality had been different from the series: "Sergei Korolev was the father of the Soviet space program; in our reality, he died during an operation in Moscow (in 1966) ... And after that point, their Moon program really never pulled together.... Our point of divergence was that Korolev lives, ... and he made their Moon landing happen." ==Cast and characters==

• Joel Kinnaman as Edward "Ed" Baldwin (seasons 1–5), one of NASA's top astronauts, initially based on Apollo 10 commander Thomas P. Stafford • Michael Dorman as Gordon "Gordo" Stevens (seasons 1–2; guest season 5), an astronaut and Ed's best friend, based on Apollo 10's lunar module pilot Gene Cernan an astronaut and member of "Nixon's Women" who later becomes Administrator of NASA, a United States senator and President of the United States following the 1992 presidential election • Wrenn Schmidt as Margo Madison, a NASA engineer who was mentored by Wernher von Braun, inspired by Margaret Hamilton • Sonya Walger as Molly Cobb (seasons 2–3; recurring season 1), an astronaut and member of "Nixon's Women", based on Jerrie Cobb • Krys Marshall as Danielle Poole (seasons 2–4; recurring season 1; guest season 5), an astronaut and member of "Nixon's Women" • Cynthy Wu as Kelly Baldwin (née Hanh Nguyen, before adoption) (season 2–present), a scientist and Ed and Karen's adopted daughter • Casey W. Johnson as Danny Stevens (seasons 2–3; guest season 4), an astronaut and Gordo and Tracy's son • Jason David and Mason Thames as young Danny Stevens (recurring season 1) • Coral Peña as Aleida Rosales (season 2–present), an illegal immigrant who is fascinated by space and later gets mentored by Margo • Olivia Trujillo as young Aleida Rosales (recurring season 1) • Edi Gathegi as Dev Ayesa (season 3–present), the founder of Helios Aerospace, a private space company with the goal to reach Mars before NASA and the Soviet Union • Toby Kebbell as Miles Dale (season 4–present), a former offshore oil platform worker who pursues a new job opportunity on Mars • Tyner Rushing as Samantha Massey (season 4), a space worker on the Mars colony • Svetlana Efremova as Irina Morozova (season 4; guest season 5), a high-ranking Soviet official • Daniel Stern as Eli Hobson (season 4), the NASA administrator • Mireille Enos as Celia Boyd (season 5), a member of the Peacekeeper Security Force on Mars • Costa Ronin as Leonid "Lenya" Polivanov (season 5), a Soviet politician and former cosmonaut, and governor of Mars • Sean Kaufman as Alex Poletov Baldwin (season 5), son of Kelly Baldwin and Ed's grandson • Ezrah Lin as young Alex Poletov (recurring season 4) • Ruby Cruz as Lily Dale (season 5), the youngest daughter of Miles and Amanda Dale • Piper Rubio as young Lily Dale (recurring season 4) • Ines Asserson as Avery "A.J." Jarrett (née Stevens) (season 5), a U.S. Marine training for a space mission and the daughter of Danny and Amber Stevens • Delaney Claire Evans and Parker Reese Evans as an infant Avery Stevens (guest season 3) • Ellie Grace Pomeroy as a young Avery Stevens (guest season 4) ==Episodes==

Season 1 (2019) Season 2 (2021) Season 3 (2022) Season 4 (2023–24) Season 5 (2026) ==Production==

Development According to Ronald D. Moore, the idea of the show came about during lunch with former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, when they discussed the possibility of an alternate history in which the Soviets reached the Moon before the Americans. In December 2017, it was announced that Apple had given the production a one-season series order. The series was created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi. Maril Davis serves as executive producer alongside Moore, Wolpert, and Nedivi. Production companies involved with the series include Sony Pictures Television and Tall Ship Productions. In October 2018, it was announced that the series had been officially titled For All Mankind. The series was renewed for a second season in October 2019. In November 2020, it was announced that the second season would premiere in February 2021. In December 2020, ahead of the second-season premiere, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a third season. In July 2022, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a fourth season. In April 2024, the series was renewed for a fifth season. Casting In August 2018, it was announced that Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, and Wrenn Schmidt had been cast in main roles and that Eric Ladin, Arturo Del Puerto, and Rebecca Wisocky would appear in a recurring capacity. In October 2018, it was reported that Jodi Balfour had been cast in a series regular role. In June 2021, it was reported that Edi Gathegi joined the season three cast as a series regular. For the fourth season, Daniel Stern, Toby Kebbell, Tyner Rushing and Svetlana Efremova were cast as series regulars. In July 2024, Mireille Enos and Costa Ronin were cast in series regular roles for the fifth season. Filming Principal photography for the series commenced in August 2018 in Los Angeles, California. In March 2019, The New York Times reported that filming had concluded. The filming for the second season began in December 2019. In August 2020, production on second season resumed after the COVID-19 halt, and the final two episodes were filmed. Filming for the third season began in February 2021, and concluded in mid-September 2021. Filming for the fourth season began in August 2022 and had wrapped by January 2023. Filming for the fifth season began in July 2024. ==Music==

All tracks written by Jeff Russo. The third- and fourth-season tracks were co-written by Paul Doucette. Season 1 original soundtrack Season 2 original soundtrack Season 3 original soundtrack Season 4 original soundtrack ==Release==

The first season of For All Mankind premiered on Apple TV+ on November 1, 2019, and consisted of 10 episodes, released weekly until December 20, 2019. The second season premiered on February 19, 2021, and consisted of 10 episodes, released weekly until April 23, 2021. The fourth season premiered on November 10, 2023, and consisted of 10 episodes, released weekly until January 12, 2024. In January 2026, it was announced the fifth season would premiere on March 27, 2026, and consist of 10 episodes, releasing weekly until May 29, 2026. At the 73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, For All Mankind: Time Capsule won an award for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Programming. For season two, Apple released a podcast titled For All Mankind: The Official Podcast, produced in partnership with At Will Media, released every two weeks starting February 19, 2021. It is hosted by Krys Marshall, who plays Danielle Poole, and features behind-the-scenes looks and interviews with scientists, former astronauts, and the cast and crew of For All Mankind. For season three, Apple released a companion video series titled The Science behind For All Mankind for corresponding episodes from season 3. It is hosted by Wrenn Schmidt, who plays Margo Madison, and has her explain and break down the scientific topics shown on the series. Home media Seasons 1 and 2 received Region 2 DVD and Blu-ray releases in late 2022. In November 2023, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released season 1 on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray. Season 2 was released on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray in March 2026. ==Reception==

Critical response The first season of For All Mankind received generally positive reviews. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 75% approval rating based on 56 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though it shoots for the Moon and falls somewhere in orbit, For All Mankinds impressive vision of history has the potential for real liftoff if it leans into the things that set it apart instead of settling for more of the same." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 65 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". The second season has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 27 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "For All Mankinds sophomore flight isn't without its hiccups, but compelling character work and a renewed sense of wonder make for thrilling viewing." On Metacritic, it has a weighted score of 75 out of 100 based on 7 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". The third season has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 36 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "For All Mankinds third season goes as far as Mars while maintaining a homey focus on its original ensemble, delivering another epic adventure with an intimate focus." On Metacritic, it has a weighted score of 84 out of 100 based on 15 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". The fourth season has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Houston, there's no problem here – For All Mankinds fourth season hones in on what the series does best and forges ahead with a thought-provoking revisionist history." On Metacritic, it has a weighted score of 83 out of 100 based on 11 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". The fifth season has a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews. On Metacritic, it has a weighted score of 83 out of 100 based on 9 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Accolades ==Notes==