By Morfeli Data Desk (AI-assisted, data-checked) · Published: November 13, 2026 · Last updated: November 13, 2026 · 6 min read
Foundation explores the fall of a Galactic Empire through a sprawling space opera, maintaining a solid standing among 2021 science fiction series.
Foundation is a 30-episode series that premiered on September 23, 2021. The show holds a 7.7 TMDB score and a 7.6 IMDb rating.
Review roundup, not a personal review. Scores and audience reviews were checked on November 13, 2026. Spoiler-free.
- TMDB audience score: 7.7/10 (1876 votes)
- IMDb: 7.6/10 (129,559 votes)
- Seasons: 3 seasons, 30 episodes
- Rank among 2021 releases: about #44 of 123
Foundation Trailer
Official trailer via YouTube. Watch on YouTube
How Foundation Stacks Up
- Among the 123 English-language series that first aired in 2021 with at least 200 TMDB votes, Foundation ranks about #44 by audience score, roughly the top 36 percent.
- Within sci-fi & fantasy alone, it ranks about #19 of 45 in the same group.
Ranking approximately 44th among 123 series from 2021, the show occupies the top 36 percent of its peer group. Within the sci-fi and fantasy category, it holds the 19th position out of 45 entries. Ratings across three seasons have remained consistent, with individual episode peaks reaching 7.5.
Critics vs Audiences
- TMDB audiences give it 7.7/10 across 1876 votes.
Different sites measure different things. IMDb and TMDB scores average votes from registered users. The Rotten Tomatoes percentage is the share of critic reviews counted as positive, not an average grade. Metacritic converts reviews into a weighted average out of 100. A title can score high on one and lower on another, so look at all of them together.
What Reviewers Are Saying
This section is based on 5 recent audience reviews posted on TMDB, which rate it 6.2/10 on average (3 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative among 5 rated reviews). It is a small sample and not the whole audience.
What reviewers praise
- Several TMDB reviewers noted the series is a tour de force in sci-fi.
- Some reviewers mentioned the series captures the grandiosity of the universe.
What reviewers criticize
- Several TMDB reviewers felt the writing has devolved into something formulaic.
- Some reviewers were disappointed by changes that do not enhance anything.
The reviews behind this summary
| Posted | Rating | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-12 | 10/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2024-02 | 8/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2025-08 | 2/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2026-01 | 3/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2026-05 | 8/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
What Is Foundation About? (Spoiler-Free)
A group of exiles embarks on a massive journey to preserve humanity and reconstruct civilization. Their efforts occur during the decline of the Galactic Empire.
Foundation at a Glance
Cast and Characters
- Jared Harris as Hari Seldon
- Lee Pace as Brother Day
- Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick
- Laura Birn as Demerzel
- Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn
- Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk
- Cherry Jones as Ambassador Quent
- Brandon P Bell as Han Pritcher
The Cast and Crew’s Track Record
Jared Harris averages 6.5 across recent projects since 2020. Lee Pace and Lou Llobell maintain averages of 7.5 and 6.6 respectively.
Other recent work from the lead cast of Foundation (since 2020):
| Actor | Recent project | Type | Role | TMDB score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Harris avg 6.5/10 | A House of Dynamite (2025) | Movie | Secretary of Defense Reid Baker | 6.4/10 |
| Morbius (2022) | Movie | Dr. Emil Nicholas | 5.9/10 | |
| The Sea Beast (2022) | Movie | Captain Crow (voice) | 7.3/10 | |
| Angela's Christmas Wish (2020) | Movie | The Vet | 6.4/10 | |
| Lee Pace avg 7.5/10 | INVINCIBLE (2021) | TV | Thragg (voice) | 8.6/10 |
| Practical Magic 2 (2026) | Movie | Ian Wright | 7.2/10 | |
| Marvel Studios Legends (2021) | TV | Ronan the Accuser (archive footage) (uncredited) | 7.4/10 | |
| The Running Man (2025) | Movie | Evan McCone | 6.7/10 | |
| Lou Llobell avg 6.6/10 | Passenger (2026) | Movie | Maddie Brecker | 7.3/10 |
| Voyagers (2021) | Movie | Zandie | 6.0/10 |
Season by Season
| Season | First aired | Episodes | Avg episode rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 23, 2021 | 10 | 6.5/10 |
| 2 | Jul 13, 2023 | 10 | 6.5/10 |
| 3 | Jul 10, 2025 | 10 | 6.2/10 |
The best-rated season in this sample is season 1 (6.5/10), whose top episode is "The Emperor's Peace" (7.5/10).
Where to Watch (US)
| Streaming | Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel |
|---|
Availability data from TMDB (provided by JustWatch), checked November 13, 2026. It changes often.
The Bottom Line
The series maintains a steady performance across 30 episodes on Apple TV. It currently holds a returning status for viewers interested in space opera.
It may suit you if:
- Viewers interested in science fiction and drama.
- Fans of space opera and stories involving a galactic empire.
You might skip it if:
- Those who prefer series that strictly adhere to original book details.
- Viewers who dislike stories featuring human clones.
Shows Like Foundation
| Title | TMDB score | About |
|---|---|---|
| The Wheel of Time (2021) | 7.6/10 | The lives of five young villagers change forever when a strange and powerful woman arrives, claiming one of them is the child of an ancient prophecy… |
| NOS4A2 (2019) | 7.3/10 | A young Victoria "Vic" McQueen discovers she has the power to unlock portals that help her find lost objects. |
| The Institute (2025) | 7.5/10 | When 14 year old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and… |
| Fantasy Island (2021) | 5.9/10 | This contemporary version of the classic drama series delves into the “what if” questions that keep us awake at night. |
| The Sandman (2022) | 7.8/10 | After years of imprisonment, Morpheus — the King of Dreams — embarks on a journey across worlds to find what was stolen from him and restore his… |
| Invasion (2021) | 7.1/10 | Earth is visited by an alien species that threatens humanity's existence. |
More guides: Bridgerton (2020) Review Roundup: Ratings and What Audiences Say · The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022): Ratings, Seasons and · Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024): Ratings, Seasons and Audience Revie
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMDb rating of Foundation?
On November 13, 2026 the IMDb rating was 7.6/10 from 129,559 votes. It changes as people vote.
Is Foundation one of the best-rated 2021 series?
By TMDB audience score it ranks about #44 of 123 English-language titles with at least 200 votes, as of November 13, 2026.
How many seasons does Foundation have?
Foundation has 3 season(s) and 30 episode(s) listed on TMDB. Status: Returning Series.
Who stars in Foundation?
Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Laura Birn, Cassian Bilton.
Data checked on November 13, 2026. Movie and TV data from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings via OMDb (IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic) where shown. Audience reviews belong to their authors on TMDB. Scores change over time; check the source for the latest numbers.
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About this page. Published by Morfeli on November 13, 2026. Facts come from public data sources (TMDB, OMDb, Deezer, Ticketmaster and entertainment news feeds) and are compiled with AI assistance. Review roundups summarize public scores and audience reviews; they are not a critic’s review, and nobody here claims to have watched or rated a title for the page. Dates, scores and availability change over time. See our Editorial Policy.
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