Apple TV+ is boldly going where no spin-off has gone before with Star City, a new series set in the alternate-history universe of For All Mankind. Premiering May 29—the same day the mothership wraps its fifth season—this eight-episode thriller flips the perspective to the Soviet side of the space race. But fans should prepare for a surprise: some familiar faces won't look quite the same.
The show's timeline jumps back to the early seasons of For All Mankind, meaning characters like the steely Irina Morozova and the warm-hearted Sergei Nikulov appear as younger versions of themselves. That required recasting, with Agnes O'Casey stepping into Irina's shoes and Josef Davies taking on Sergei. In the original series, these roles were played by Svetlana Efremova and Piotr Adamczyk, respectively.
Co-creator and showrunner Matt Wolpert admitted in a recent interview that the decision wasn't easy. “It was certainly complicated because we love the actors who played the older versions of them,” he said. The key, he explained, was capturing the essence of each character while allowing room for growth. “With Sergei, Josef Davies brilliantly captures that intelligence and that warmheartedness.”
One of the most intriguing changes involves Irina Morozova. In For All Mankind, she's a cold, commanding presence who inspires fear. But Star City aims to show how she became that person. “She's this kind of cold, powerful woman, and getting to show the younger version of her who isn't that at all,” Wolpert teased. “Showing how she became that woman is something that, creatively, we're really excited to tell.”
What Is 'Star City' About?
While For All Mankind focused on the American side of the lunar race—where the Soviets actually won—Star City dives deep into the cosmonaut experience. It blends Soviet ingenuity with constant surveillance to create a gripping thriller set against one of history's biggest what-ifs. The cast also includes Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, Alice Englehert, Solly McLeod, Adam Nagaitis, Ray Ashbourne Serkis, and Priya Kansara.
If you're a fan of Apple TV's sci-fi offerings, you might also enjoy Anya Taylor-Joy's 'Lucky', which brings pulpy crime thrills to the platform this July. And for those who love a good alternate-history twist, Andy Serkis explains why 'Animal Farm's hopeful new ending is key for today's kids.
The first season of Star City consists of eight episodes. It premieres with two episodes on Friday, May 29, followed by one new episode every Friday through July 10. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on this and other Apple TV+ originals.
