‘Foundation’ Season 4 Could Break the Series if Apple Renews It

The latest season of Foundation is now in full swing, which means the Mule’s (Pilou Asbæk) galactic threat has finally reached the doorsteps of Empire and the Foundation. As Gaal (Lou Llobell) and Hari’s (Jared Harris) plan comes into focus, the inevitable fall of the Genetic Dynasty and the reign of Empire seems closer than ever. However, with the series ramping up, showrunner David S. Goyer, who also co-created the show, has stepped down. Goyer, who was at the helm of Foundation for its first three seasons, initially planned to stay on as an executive producer. However, as of this year, it was officially announced that he’ll no longer be attached to the series in any capacity, which should worry fans.

While there has yet to be an official announcement regarding Foundation’s fourth season, Ian Goldberg has been brought in as the series’ newest showrunner, should there be a Season 4, along with a whole new writers’ room. Unfortunately, given the scale of Foundation and the number of changes happening behind the scenes, fans shouldn’t be too optimistic about its future. Rarely do shows with such grand and complex stories survive these kinds of shake-ups. Coincidentally, Goldberg took over Fear the Walking Dead for its fourth season, and the show quickly fell apart. That doesn’t mean Foundation will inevitably fail, but those who love the series should prepare themselves for it to feel very different if/when it moves forward with future seasons.

It’s Unlikely ‘Foundation’ Will Survive Such Massive Changes

There’s Always a Chance (But Fans Shouldn’t Be Optimistic About It)

Apple TV+

If Goldberg’s arrival were the only change, cautious optimism wouldn’t be out of the question. However, with a completely new writers’ room and Goyer’s complete departure, it’s unlikely the series will be able to maintain its allure. Arguably one of the best science fiction shows of the last decade, the series is epic and compelling because of its vision and writing. Based on the Foundation series of stories by Isaac Asimov, the show has a solid blueprint to adapt. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how great the story might be; without the right showrunner, it could easily fall apart.

That isn’t to say Goldberg will inevitably tank Foundation if it’s renewed, but there’s no doubt the show could feel very different moving forward. After all, Fear the Walking Dead Season 4 felt noticeably different from its first three seasons, and subsequently never returned to its glory days. Such changes don’t always bode well for the continued success of most shows, let alone one that’s as intricate as Foundation. Given the show’s complexity, its story could easily be muddied by a different showrunner.

‘Fear the Walking Dead’ Significantly Declined When Goldberg Took Over

‘Foundation’ Will Probably Follow the Same Path (Unfortunately)

Madison, Nick, and Luciana standing together by a table in a scene from Fear the Walking Dead. — AMC

When Goldberg took over as showrunner for Fear the Walking Dead beginning with its fourth season, the series saw a significant decline in quality. What started as a solid spin-off of AMC’s hit show The Walking Dead quickly devolved into quite a disappointing mess for audiences, with many criticizing the series for losing its original identity. After needlessly killing off some of the show’s most beloved characters, the series took a turn that led to a steep decline in viewership. Unfortunately, it was no coincidence that Goldberg’s arrival coincided with the show’s downfall, which means Foundation could befall the same fate.

However, unlike Fear the Walking Dead, Foundation has source material to help guide future seasons, which could be good news for audiences. Whether or not you believe the series has stayed true to the books it’s based on is an argument for another day, but at least there’s something for Goldberg and the new writers’ room to follow. Furthermore, Foundation’s other co-creator, Josh Friedman, is still a part of the series, which could help maintain the show’s overall vision. Because of this, the Apple TV+ series does stand a better chance than Fear the Walking Dead. Nevertheless, cautious optimism might be a fool’s errand.

Unfortunately, extensive source material might not be enough for Foundation to overcome such massive shake-ups behind the scenes. Given the details and nuances of the series, it wouldn’t take much for the show to fall apart eventually. Then, when viewers consider that Goyer reportedly left the series over budgetary disagreements with the studio, the prospect for future seasons becomes even more bleak. To capture the proper scope of such a massive story, Foundation requires a substantial budget. Bringing on a different showrunner who might be more amenable to a smaller one most definitely spells trouble if/when the show is renewed for a fourth season.

Given Goldberg’s track record of taking on established shows mid-series, Foundation may follow the same path as Fear the Walking Dead. Sure, we might continue to get plenty of seasons, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be ones we actually want to see. Foundation Season 3 is currently streaming on Apple TV+. New episodes premiere every Friday, and the season finale will be available September 12, 2025.