Pilou Asbæk's Villain Turn Promises to Shake Up 'Foundation' Season 3

Olivia Bennett, 6/12/2025Apple TV+'s Foundation Season 3 promises thrilling drama with Pilou Asbæk's villainous debut as The Mule. The ambitious 152-year jump sets the stage for intricate alliances and high-stakes intrigue, featuring an ensemble cast that elevates the narrative. Premieres July 11, 2025.

The latest trailer drops viewers straight into the deep end of space opera magnificence. "I have talents, you see. I can worm my way into people's minds," Asbæk menaces with the kind of delivery that sends shivers down your spine. His take on The Mule promises the sort of delicious villainy we haven't seen since — well, since his scene-stealing turn as Euron Greyjoy, though this performance appears to trade brutish chaos for calculated manipulation.

Let's talk about that 152-year time jump. Foundation's bold leap forward (somewhere between ambitious and absolutely bonkers) sets up what showrunner David S. Goyer describes as an "uneasy alliance" between the Foundation and the Cleonic Dynasty's Empire. The phrase "uneasy alliance" in television typically signals the calm before an absolutely magnificent storm — rather like those tense moments at awards season after-parties when rival studios pretend to play nice.

Jared Harris returns as Hari Seldon, bringing that gravitas only a seasoned performer can deliver. His warning to Lou Llobell's Gaal that "The Mule is your battle" carries the weight of impending doom wrapped in Harris's signature eloquence. Speaking of eloquence, the addition of Emmy-winner Cherry Jones and Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur to the ensemble cast feels like the kind of power move usually reserved for prestige period dramas, not space epics.

The production value continues to push boundaries in ways that make other streaming shows look positively quaint. With the industry's recent pivot toward budget-conscious content (thanks to 2024's writers' strike aftermath), Foundation stands as a refreshing testament to what's possible when a studio really commits to a vision.

Mark those calendars for July 11, 2025 — the premiere kicks off what promises to be a nine-week journey through space, politics, and the kind of mind-bending sci-fi that makes Black Mirror look straightforward. Episodes will drop weekly until September 12, giving viewers plenty of time to digest each installment's complexity. Both previous seasons remain available on Apple TV+ for anyone needing a refresher on the intricate web of galactic intrigue.

Between the stellar cast additions, Goyer's carefully planted narrative seeds (apparently scattered throughout Season 1), and Asbæk's potentially career-defining turn as The Mule, Foundation's third season is shaping up to be more than just prestige television — it's positioning itself as a cultural moment that could define streaming entertainment in 2025.

Apple TV+ is reaching for the stars — and snagging them — with Foundation's third season announcement, showcasing a spectacular vision that would leave even the most seasoned sci-fi aficionados breathless. The streaming giant's crown jewel is about to unleash its most compelling antagonist yet, as Pilou Asbæk steps into the role of The Mule, replacing Mikael Persbrandt in what might be 2025's most inspired casting shake-up.The latest trailer drops viewers straight into the deep end of space opera magnificence. "I have talents, you see. I can worm my way into people's minds," Asbæk menaces with the kind of delivery that sends shivers down your spine. His take on The Mule promises the sort of delicious villainy we haven't seen since — well, since his scene-stealing turn as Euron Greyjoy, though this performance appears to trade brutish chaos for calculated manipulation.Let's talk about that 152-year time jump. Foundation's bold leap forward (somewhere between ambitious and absolutely bonkers) sets up what showrunner David S. Goyer describes as an "uneasy alliance" between the Foundation and the Cleonic Dynasty's Empire. The phrase "uneasy alliance" in television typically signals the calm before an absolutely magnificent storm — rather like those tense moments at awards season after-parties when rival studios pretend to play nice.Jared Harris returns as Hari Seldon, bringing that gravitas only a seasoned performer can deliver. His warning to Lou Llobell's Gaal that "The Mule is your battle" carries the weight of impending doom wrapped in Harris's signature eloquence. Speaking of eloquence, the addition of Emmy-winner Cherry Jones and Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur to the ensemble cast feels like the kind of power move usually reserved for prestige period dramas, not space epics.The production value continues to push boundaries in ways that make other streaming shows look positively quaint. With the industry's recent pivot toward budget-conscious content (thanks to 2024's writers' strike aftermath), Foundation stands as a refreshing testament to what's possible when a studio really commits to a vision.Mark those calendars for July 11, 2025 — the premiere kicks off what promises to be a nine-week journey through space, politics, and the kind of mind-bending sci-fi that makes Black Mirror look straightforward. Episodes will drop weekly until September 12, giving viewers plenty of time to digest each installment's complexity. Both previous seasons remain available on Apple TV+ for anyone needing a refresher on the intricate web of galactic intrigue.Between the stellar cast additions, Goyer's carefully planted narrative seeds (apparently scattered throughout Season 1), and Asbæk's potentially career-defining turn as The Mule, Foundation's third season is shaping up to be more than just prestige television — it's positioning itself as a cultural moment that could define streaming entertainment in 2025.