Foundation chronicles "...the thousand year saga of The Foundation, a band of exiles who discover that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from destruction is to defy it."
On June 27, 2017, it was reported that Skydance Television was developing a television series adaptation of Isaac Asimov's science fiction book series Foundation with David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman serving as the production's writers. At the time of the report, the production company was in the midst of closing a deal with Asimov's estate for the rights to the book series. On April 10, 2018, it was announced that Apple, through their Worldwide Video Unit, had bought the series and put it into development with the potential for straight-to-series order. It was further announced that Goyer and Friedman were also expected to serve as executive producers and showrunners. Other executive producers announced included David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Marcy Ross. On August 23, 2018, it was announced that Apple had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. It was also announced that Asimov's daughter, Robyn Asimov, would serve as an executive producer. On April 18, 2019, Josh Friedman left as co-writer and co-showrunner. On July 28, 2019, it was revealed that Troy Studios in Limerick, Ireland, would host production of the show. Troy Studios previously hosted productions of the Syfy series NightFlyers. According to Screen Ireland the series would create more than 500 production jobs at the studio.
Casting
On October 22, 2019, it was announced that Lee Pace and Jared Harris were cast as "Brother Day" and "Hari Seldon", respectively. In addition, David Goyer was confirmed as the sole official showrunner for the series. On December 4, 2019, five additional cast members were announced: Lou Llobell stars as Gaal, a mathematical genius from a rural, repressed planet. Leah Harvey will play Salvor, the protective and intuitive warden of a remote outer planet. Laura Birn will star as Eto Demerzel, the enigmatic aide to the Emperor of the Galaxy. Terrence Mann will star as Brother Dusk, the eldest living member of the ruling family. Cassian Bilton will play Brother Dawn, the youngest living member of the ruling family and next in line to be Brother Day.
Filming
On March 12, 2020, Apple suspended production of the show in Ireland due to COVID-19.
