A Date Out of This World for Sci-Fi Lovers
May 29 has become a date to remember for space enthusiasts. As For All Mankind wrapped up its fifth and penultimate season, its much-anticipated spin-off, Star City, debuted to give viewers a look at the Soviet side of the space race—territory left mostly unexplored until now.
Fans of science fiction series may already know that Apple TV+ has become home to several genre standouts. With the recent release, one of its best-known productions expanded its universe, taking us on an alternative journey that presents a fresh perspective.
A Double Feature for For All Mankind Fans
May 29 marked not only the airing of the season five finale of For All Mankind—where viewers discovered how the first Martian settlers attempted to resolve their latest predicament—but also the premiere of the first two episodes of its prequel spin-off, Star City. This series transports audiences to Russia, focusing on the earliest years of the Soviet space program.
The American Perspective—And Beyond
If you’ve watched For All Mankind, you’ll recall it launched with the Soviets beating the United States to the Moon, kickstarting a thought-provoking alternative history. The Americans respond by escalating their efforts, including the establishment of a lunar base, reshaping the events of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
The narrative has primarily centered on the American experience, seen through characters like NASA astronaut Edward Baldwin and mission director Margo Madison. Their journeys reflected the tension, ambition, and moral dilemmas of a nation determined to avoid another defeat in the space race. Over time, new characters joined the story, representing emerging generations.
Looking East: Star City
But what about the Russian side? For All Mankind largely kept Soviet stories in the background, with most Russian characters supporting the main American-driven plot. Star City changes this. The series takes the form of a paranoid thriller set at a turning point in the show's alternate universe: the Soviet Union becomes the first nation to land a man on the Moon. Viewers now get an inside look at the lives of Soviet cosmonauts, engineers, and intelligence officers involved in the space program, along with the real risks they faced.
This change in setting and focus revisits a timeline similar to the early seasons of For All Mankind but turns its attention more toward the paranoia and oppression characteristic of the era. While the high-stakes competition of the space race is still present, the new series takes a more psychological approach.
Apple TV+ has made a bold and risky move with this spin-off, and audiences have been watching to see how it measures up. The new show features Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, and Agnes O'Casey, and the first two episodes premiered on May 29, 2026, on Apple TV+.
Star City is FAR better than “Mankind” more of a Soy Drama than a Disney-esque family show. Both are great But “Star” is MUCH better by a large margin.