Apple TV+'s Foundation Season 2: An interview with the Cast

Bringing Isaac Asimov's work to life

We've all been waiting with bated breath for the second season of Foundation, that fascinating television adaptation of Isaac Asimov's monumental work. The season has just commenced, and it's off to a captivating start, at least in our opinion. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down and sharing some off-screen time with the talented trio – Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, and Jared Harris. We had a heart-to-heart about their characters, what's coming up, and everything in between.

First off, I turned to Leah Harvey, who plays Salvor Hardin. She's taking her character from an almost unknown clerk to a major player this season. I asked Leah, "How does Salvor's background shape her portrayal of the character?"

"Being one of the only people from the outer reaches, Salvor has a unique perspective," she says. Leah seemed genuinely thrilled about the opportunity to explore her character's depth and the wide spectrum of human experiences that "Foundation" encapsulates. She also hinted at some exciting evolution for Salvor, her past and future clashing to shape who she becomes.

Laura Birn, who masterfully embodies the intriguing character of Demerzel, was next. I asked her what it was like playing an AI that's so closely modeled after humans.

Laura says, "Demerzel is a very layered character. She's an AI, yet she has been created to be very close to humans. This complexity is something I found fascinating and challenging." She gave us a sneak peek into season 2, where we will see Demerzel grappling with emotional attachments that are distinctly human, yet staying true to her programmed roots.

I then caught up with Jared Harris, the charismatic force behind Hari Seldon. I was curious, "What's it like playing this 'space Jesus' sort of character?"

He replied with a laugh, "Harry's aim is to save humanity from itself". Jared opened up about the complexities of a character like Hari, who’s enmeshed in a constant struggle between his lofty goal of humanity's salvation and his somewhat shady tactics.

Keeping audiences glued

Despite their unique roles, the three shared a common challenge: keeping their characters grounded in a world that's a fascinating cocktail of reality and fantasy. All three spoke warmly about their frequent chats with the director and showrunners. Their main goal? To keep their characters real, even while navigating the surreal landscapes and futuristic scenarios of Foundation.

As our conversation wrapped up, it was clear that "Foundation" isn't merely going to expand Asimov's universe in season 2. The cast has clearly put their heart and soul into bringing these characters to life, ensuring that we get more than just a galactic tale. As a fan of the books, I can't help but feel excited about the evolution of these characters. And if our conversation is any indication, we are going to be in for quite the interstellar ride.

Speaking of rides, the first episode of season 2 has set high expectations as captured in our Foundations Season 2 opening review.

If this piqued your interest, new episodes are coming out every Friday, and we can't wait to see how it carries forward the story. Don't forget you can play the first episode for free if you've not yet started watching Foundation, but the rest requires an Apple TV+ subscription.

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