If you’ve been deep in the For All Mankind universe wondering what was happening behind the Iron Curtain all along — Apple TV+ just answered that question. Star City, the long-awaited spinoff, finally has a premiere date, a cast, first-look images, and enough Cold War paranoia to keep you glued to the screen all summer. Here’s everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
Star City — Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | May 29, 2026 |
| Platform | Apple TV+ |
| Episodes | 8 (two-episode debut, then weekly) |
| Season Finale | July 10, 2026 |
| Setting | Soviet Union, 1970s |
| Created By | Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert |
| Produced By | Sony Pictures Television |
| Filmed In | Vilnius, Lithuania |
What Is Star City About?
Star City is an upcoming American science fiction drama from Apple TV+, serving as a spinoff of For All Mankind with a focus on the Soviet Union. The name itself alludes to the real-world Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, nicknamed “Star City,” located outside Moscow.
While For All Mankind told its alternate history space race from the American side, Star City tells it from the Russian side — in a world where the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. Think Cold War paranoia, KGB surveillance, cosmonaut courage, and the crushing weight of an authoritarian system demanding the impossible. It’s described as a “propulsive, paranoid thriller” — and from the first-look images, it absolutely earns that label.
Smartly, Apple has timed the spinoff’s debut to launch the same day For All Mankind Season 5 airs its finale on May 29, creating a seamless pipeline for fans already invested in this universe.
Star City Full Cast Breakdown
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rhys Ifans | The Chief Designer | Driving force behind Soviet space program |
| Anna Maxwell Martin | Lyudmilla Raskova | Head of KGB surveillance at Star City |
| Adam Nagaitis | Valya Markelova | Highly respected cosmonaut |
| Agnes O’Casey | Irina Morozova | New surveillance department officer |
| Alice Englert | Anastasia Belikova | Untested female cosmonaut |
| Solly McLeod | TBC | New character |
| Ruby Ashbourne Serkis | TBC | New character |
| Josef Davies | TBC | New character |
Behind the Scenes
Filming took place throughout 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania — a city chosen for its ability to convincingly stand in for Soviet-era settings, with locations like Vingis Park and Pašilaičiai recreating the environments of the Soviet space program. The show is fully filmed and ready to launch, meaning no production delays to worry about.
For All Mankind has built a remarkable critical track record, including a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for both Seasons 2 and 4 — making Star City one of the most anticipated spinoffs of the year.
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FAQs
Q: When does Star City premiere on Apple TV+?
Star City premieres on May 29, 2026, with two episodes dropping together, followed by weekly Friday releases until the Season 1 finale on July 10, 2026.
Q: Do you need to watch For All Mankind before Star City?
While Star City works as a standalone paranoid thriller, watching For All Mankind first gives crucial alt-history context and makes the Soviet perspective even more rewarding.
