Apple TV+’s acclaimed alt‑history saga For All Mankind is gearing up for a fifth season, and this time the story jumps into the 2010s. The creators — Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi — are promising a bigger, more politically charged chapter that shines a spotlight on Mars while setting the stage for the universe‑expanding spinoff Star City. Although there is no confirmed premiere date, the latest interviews and Comic‑Con 2025 appearances confirm production is moving forward and that fans should circle 2026 as the likely launch window.
The journey so far
Since debuting in November 2019, For All Mankind has carved out a reputation as one of Apple’s flagship dramas. Each season explores how one historical “butterfly effect” moment reshapes global events. The first season imagined the Soviet Union beating the United States to the moon. Later seasons wove in alternate outcomes such as John Lennon surviving his assassination attempt. By season 4, which aired in November 2023, the show had advanced to 2003 and ended with a game‑changing development on Mars: the Happy Valley rebels captured the Goldilocks asteroid and kept it in orbit, ensuring a long‑term resource future for the red planet.
This seismic event sets the stage for season 5, and the showrunners have made clear that the next chapter will pick up a decade later to examine how that outcome alters politics, society, and identity on both worlds.
What season 5 will cover
At San Diego Comic‑Con 2025, Nedivi told ScreenRant that “season 5 [means] a lot more tension between Earth and Mars.” Moore echoed this, stressing that the series is now “about Mars, primarily, and what happens to the people on Mars.” The new season will explore how settlers shift from explorers to colonists and whether they begin to see themselves as a distinct nation. Questions of independence, loyalty, and resource control will dominate the decade‑spanning storyline.
Collider reported that the story is set “like, 2012,” continuing the show’s structure of decade‑by‑decade jumps. This means viewers will see how the Goldilocks decision ripples into a new era where Mars may stand on the brink of breaking away from Earth entirely. The creators even teased that the opening montage for the season already has its sound mix finished, a small but reassuring sign that production is deep in progress.
Production status and delays
Although For All Mankind season 5 was renewed in April 2024, filming did not begin until July 2025. CBR detailed that the season has faced unusual delays compared with previous cycles. Seasons 1 through 4 generally returned on a 16‑ to 17‑month rhythm, but Apple’s June 2025 promotional reel omitted For All Mankind from its list of returning shows. That absence fueled speculation about cancellation. At Comic‑Con, Nedivi explained that the Hollywood writers’ strike and the simultaneous development of Star City slowed progress, but stressed that the show is very much alive and “fans who have been patient will be rewarded.”
By late July 2025, Wolpert told Inverse that production was in full swing with visual effects, sound, and other post‑production work already underway. Both the main series and the spinoff are being timed to release close together, a strategy the showrunners said would be “kind of fun” and create a grand relaunch of the franchise. Their most concrete timeline? A window “sometime in 2026.”
Cast and new characters
One of the hallmarks of For All Mankind has been following its characters across decades of alternate history. Season 5 will continue that tradition. The co‑creators confirmed that stalwarts Ed Baldwin and Miles Dale will return, along with fan favorites Kelly and Aleida. That means Joel Kinnaman, Toby Kebbell, Cynthy Wu, and Coral Peña will reprise their roles. The generational arc also grows more prominent: ScreenRant noted that several new players are descendants of established characters, emphasizing the show’s scope as it tracks families across decades.
CBR provided a detailed casting update. New faces include Mireille Enos as Lenya, a former Soviet cosmonaut turned politician, Ines Asserson as Marine A.J. Jarrett, Ruby Cruz as Lily Dale, Barrett Carnahan as Marcu, and Sean Kaufman as an older Alex Poletov Baldwin. These additions signal that season 5 will explore both political maneuvering on Earth and the lives of the new Martian generation, blending personal drama with sweeping geopolitical stakes.
The bigger plan and future seasons
While Apple has not formally announced a sixth season, the creative team has long spoken about a six‑ to seven‑season plan. Each chapter advances the timeline roughly a decade, slowly catching the story up to our present. Inverse noted that Moore and his colleagues relish the opportunity to explore how history diverges further with every leap forward. Wolpert has emphasized that as the show edges closer to modern times, the “alt‑history elements start to become a bigger part” of the narrative. Expect the 2010s to bring even bolder departures from our reality while still weaving in selected real‑world events.
CBR highlighted that the series might eventually portray the grandchildren of original characters, reflecting a multi‑generational saga. The creators continue to insist that any foray into extraterrestrial themes, such as aliens, would be handled through the show’s grounded “FAM realism.” For now, the story remains focused on human choices and the political, cultural, and technological ripple effects of those choices.
Why season 5 matters
The upcoming season represents a crucial pivot point. By anchoring the narrative in 2012, the show places itself in an era close enough to be recognizable but different enough to sustain its speculative alternate history. The decade jump allows the writers to examine how the Martian colony has matured and to dramatize whether it sees itself as independent. As Earth grapples with its own crises, the balance of power may shift permanently. Collider underscored that this Mars–Earth rift will be central, and that the showrunners view it as a chance to explore nationhood in space.
For viewers, this means season 5 is not just another continuation — it’s the moment where For All Mankind moves decisively into questions of identity, sovereignty, and the future of humanity beyond Earth. The combination of returning veterans, new generational characters, and the high‑stakes political storyline promises a season that is both intimate and epic.
Conclusion
For All Mankind season 5 is deep into production, with filming underway since July 2025 and post‑production tasks already active. Although the Apple June 2025 reel excluded the show, the creators have doubled down on its return, teasing a 2026 launch alongside Star City. With a story set around 2012, a sharp focus on Mars, an expanded cast, and the looming Earth–Mars confrontation, the season is positioned as one of the show’s most ambitious yet. If Wolpert and Nedivi deliver on their promise of an “epic” comeback, fans will find the long wait more than worthwhile.
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