The red dust swirled outside the habitat window, another Martian day blurring into the last. A flicker on the comm screen: a message from Earth, a place that now felt like a distant dream. Hope, tinged with the familiar bite of apprehension—Season 5 of For All Mankind is almost here, arriving March 27 on Apple TV.
After a two-year wait, Apple TV’s alternate history saga is back. Season 4 left us on a cliffhanger: Mars-based astronauts commandeering an asteroid rich with resources, a desperate gamble to secure the future of off-world expansion. This first glimpse suggests their audacious move paid off… or did it?
The teaser isn’t a full trailer, but offers a tantalizing taste of what’s coming as Mars transforms into a bustling, independent world. Expect to see familiar faces and intriguing new dynamics as humanity’s reach extends deeper into the solar system.
That’s Sean Kaufman as Alex Baldwin, grandson of the legendary Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman). While Kinnaman isn’t featured in the brief clip, new promotional images offer hints about his character arc. Let’s just say, time takes its toll, even on those who conquer space.
Alongside Kinnaman and Kaufman, Cynthy Wu returns as Kelly Baldwin, along with Toby Kebbell, Edi Gathegi, Coral Peña, and Wrenn Schmidt. New additions to the cast include Mireille Enos, Costa Ronin, Ruby Cruz, and Ines Asserson.
Humanity’s Second Act
Sometimes, the most profound changes happen not with a bang, but with the quiet hum of new machinery. Season 5, set in the 2010s of this alternate timeline, explores the ramifications of the “Goldilocks asteroid heist.”
“Happy Valley has grown into a thriving colony with thousands of residents and a base for new missions,” according to the official press release. But with Earth-based nations now vying for control of the Red Planet, tensions are escalating between the Martian colonists and their former home. This friction is the crucible in which the future will be forged.
How realistic is For All Mankind?
The show blends historical plausibility with speculative fiction, grounding its narrative in real-world scientific principles and geopolitical tensions. The attention to detail regarding space travel and Martian colonization lends a sense of authenticity, while the deviations from our timeline allow for exploration of alternative technological and societal developments. Showrunners like Ronald D. Moore clearly aim for a ‘what if’ scenario rooted in credible possibilities, but it’s still television.
A Diamond in the Streaming Rough
For All Mankind consistently delivers exceptional storytelling and production quality. It’s a tightly-wound narrative, a character-driven drama set against the grand backdrop of space exploration. Yet, it remains strangely underappreciated compared to other Apple TV hits. The reasons for this disparity are elusive, a frustrating mystery. If you haven’t experienced this show, now is the time. You have until March 27. Trust me.
What is the main point of For All Mankind?
At its core, the series is a study of human ambition, resilience, and the choices that shape our destiny. The show seems to examine how pivotal moments in history might unfold differently, it poses questions about the cost of progress, the nature of rivalry, and the enduring spirit of exploration. The heart of the show is human relationships under extreme pressure.
The 10-episode season 5 kicks off on March 27, with new episodes every Friday, culminating in the finale on May 29. Will the show eventually align with our reality? How much further can the divergence extend? These are questions that burn in the minds of dedicated viewers.
Will For All Mankind have a season 6?
While Apple TV+ hasn’t officially announced a sixth season, the show’s consistent quality, dedicated fanbase, and rich narrative potential make a renewal a strong possibility. The ending of season 5 will likely offer clues about the direction of future seasons, as the writers and producers continue to chart the course of this compelling alternate history. If I were a betting man, I’d say there’s a strong chance we’ll see season 6.
The struggle for dominance, the yearning for discovery, the ever-present shadow of Earth—how will these forces shape the future of humanity among the stars?