Foundation cast and character guide: Who plays whom in Apple TV's show?

Apple TV's Foundation, an adaptation of Asimov's sci-fi fiction of the same name, is taking over the Apple TV audience by storm. Science fiction has always been a favorite to fans, be it the more recent shows Severance, Stranger Things, and Black Mirror, or the much older franchises Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, or Doctor Who.

Such is the reception from audiences when it comes to science fiction series. Apple TV itself is very dedicated to this genre of shows, be it through stellar world-building through immaculate sets or an ambitious cast list to bring this novel to life. Here's a guide through the characters and the cast who play them in the Apple TV+ original show Foundation.

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Apple TV+'s Foundation: A cast and character guide

David Goyer did an excellent job in assembling a cast that is doing an even more beautiful job in bringing Issac Asimov's characters to life.

Hari Seldon, played by Jared Harris

Hari Seldon is a mathematical genius who has mastered psychohistory and is, therefore, able to predict the future of society. His science allows him to predict models of the future, which reveal impending war, as well as the destruction of humanity as they knew it. He reveals this information to the Empire and is cast out in response, as he knew he would be. He is also aware that he needs to create a 'Foundation,' an encyclopedia of human knowledge and history, which will help create humanity again.

Jared Harris, son of Richard Harris (Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies), is best known for his role as Valery Legasov in Chernobyl and Lane Pryce in Mad Men. He was also seen in Fringe as David Robert Jones, as King George in The Crown, and in The Terror as Captain Francis Crozier.

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Brother Day, played by Lee Pace

Brother Day, the reigning emperor of the Galactic Empire, is the prime of the three clones of the first Emperor, the other two being Brother Dusk and Brother Dawn. Brother Day stands opposed to Hari Seldon. Even though the original source, Asimov's novel, does not particularly describe the Emperors, David Goyer has introduced the idea in Foundation that the Emperors are genetic clones of the first Emperor, to ensure that the rule is consistent.

Lee Pace, Emmy-nominated for his role of Ned in Pushing Diaries, was seen in projects like Halt and Catch Fire (as the lead Joe McMillan), Guardians of the Galaxy (Ronan the Accuser), Spielberg's Lincoln (Fernando Wood), The Hobbit Trilogy (Thranduil) and The Twilight Saga (Garrett).

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Brother Dusk, played by Terrence Mann

Brother Dusk is the second clone, an emperor who is too old to reign anymore (basically, not the prime anymore), so he gives up the title to his successor. The idea of clones is unique to the Apple TV adaptation of Foundation, so Brother Dusk's character is also unique to the show.

Terrence Mann is a seasoned actor who got his breakout in the Critters movies, where he played Ug, the bounty hunter. He was also seen in projects like Sense8, The Blacklist, 30 Rock, The Dresden Files, Javert in Les Miserables, and The Beast in Beauty & the Beast.

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Gaal Dornick, played by Lou Llobell

Gaal Dornick is Hari Seldon's protégé, another mathematical genius. She is from a planet called Synnax, where the pursuit of knowledge and her mathematical genius are considered heresy. Dornick is arrested along with Seldon on treason charges for agreeing to his prediction of the future of the Empire.

Lou Llobell is relatively new in the industry, having only been seen in projects like Voyagers and The Pilgrim. However, her role as Dornick in Foundation is definitely her breakout role.

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Brother Dawn, as Cassian Bilton

The final clone, Brother Dawn, is the youngest clone and the next in line for the Emperor. Brother Dawn's younger days are played by Cooper Carter. However, Cassian Bilton plays a more grown-up version of this character. Brother Dawn, as the next in line, should watch the other two clones and their rule so that he can learn from their tenures and rule the Empire at the appropriate time. However, Brother Dawn's mental condition is not too stable, as he's even seen trying to take his own life at one point.

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Demerzel, played by Laura Birn

Laura Birn plays Demerzel in Foundation, an android steward to the Emperor clones, caring for Brother Dawn, advising and taking orders from Brother Day, as well as helping Brother Dusk transition through his old age. She has been a loyal servant to the Emperors for centuries, and almost seems capable of showing human emotions in her motherly care and kindness.

Laura Birn was seen in projects such as Helena, Void, The Birdcatcher, The Ones Below, A Walk Among the Tombstones, and Any Day Now.

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The cast list for Foundation is ever-inspiring, with Mido Hamada as Master Shadow Obrecht, Amy Tyger as Auzura, Alfred Enoch as Raych Foss, Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin, and Alexander Siddig joining the cast as Dr. Ebling Mis in the third season.

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