Apple TV+ has been on an absolute tear in the sci-fi department, with hits like Silo, Severance, and For All Mankind cementing its reputation as the go-to streamer for smart, immersive genre storytelling. But even the best shows take time between seasons, and with For All Mankind winding down, the platform needed a worthy successor. Enter Star City, a spin-off that shifts the action from the American space program to the Soviet side of the Cold War space race. And if early reviews are any indication, Apple TV+ has another winner on its hands.
Premiering Friday, May 29, with its first two episodes, Star City has already landed a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on five critic reviews. While that number could shift as more reviews roll in, it's a strong signal that the show delivers on its ambitious premise. The series is created by For All Mankind veterans Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi, and Ronald D. Moore, so it's no surprise that it maintains the same meticulous attention to alternate history and character-driven tension.
So what are critics saying? Across the board, the word is tense. Set in the Soviet Union, the show leans into the authoritarian pressure cooker of the era. Ben Rosenstock of The AV Club noted that "there's a lot of potential to this setting and story," while Nick Schager of The Daily Beast said the series "wrings taut drama" from its premise. Inverse's Ryan Bitt went further, calling it a "slow-burning spy show" where the political intrigue often overshadows the space travel. "Sometimes, and this is a compliment, you forget that this is a show about space travel, or that this is an alternate timeline," he wrote. "When Star City is at its best, it's a slow-burning spy show with the subject of optimism under extreme pressure."
For fans of Apple TV+ thrillers, this is a must-watch. The streamer has built a library of smart, suspenseful series, and Star City fits right in. It's also a bold move for Apple TV+ — this is the first spin-off of one of its flagship sci-fi shows, and its success could shape the platform's strategy for expanding its most popular universes.
If you're looking for something to binge while waiting for new seasons of your favorites, Star City is shaping up to be a perfect addition to your queue. And if you're new to the For All Mankind universe, don't worry — the spin-off is designed to stand on its own, though fans of the original will appreciate the deeper dive into the Soviet perspective.
For more on what to watch next, check out our list of 8 near-perfect Netflix shows you've never heard of, or dive into 'Dispatches from Elsewhere' for another mind-bending sci-fi thriller. And if you're in the mood for something completely different, Colin Farrell returns in 'Sugar' Season 2 on Apple TV+.
Star City premieres Friday, May 29, on Apple TV+. Stay tuned for more updates.
