Great science fiction doesn't just tell a story—it builds a world you can step into and believe. That's the magic of worldbuilding, the craft of creating a universe with its own rules, history, and logic. And right now, no show does it better than Apple TV's For All Mankind. Set in a version of our own world where history took a different turn, it feels both familiar and wildly imaginative, making it a true masterclass in the art.
What If the Space Race Never Ended?
The series kicks off with a simple but powerful twist: the Soviet Union lands a cosmonaut on the Moon before the United States. That single event sends history spiraling in a new direction. NASA and the U.S. government are forced to play catch-up, pouring resources into space exploration to reclaim their lead. The Soviets, of course, aren't about to back down, so the space race just keeps going—and going.
Over five seasons, For All Mankind explores the ripple effects of this divergence. Each season jumps to a new decade, showing how the ongoing competition shapes the world. By Season 2, the Moon becomes a Cold War battleground. Season 3 shifts to Mars, with multiple nations and private players racing to be first. Season 4 sees humanity trying to establish a permanent presence on the Red Planet, and Season 5 digs into the consequences of our ambitions beyond Earth.
A Generational Saga with Real Stakes
What makes For All Mankind so compelling is that it's not just about rockets and spacewalks—it's about people. The show follows a sprawling cast, anchored by astronaut Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman) and his family, as they navigate a world that's increasingly different from our own. The characters are the vehicle, but the world itself is the star.
The worldbuilding isn't just in the space stuff; it's in the details on the ground. Because the space race never ends, technology advances faster. By the 1980s, personal computers and electric cars are already on the market. Long-distance communication relies on screens instead of phones. And the political landscape shifts in surprising ways: Ted Kennedy beats Richard Nixon, Ellen Wilson (Jodi Balfour) wins the 1992 election over Bill Clinton, and same-sex marriage is legalized in 1998. The show weaves these what-ifs into its fabric without ever dwelling too long on any one change.
Grounding the Alternate Reality in Real History
One of the show's smartest moves is using real-world events as a foundation. Each season opens with an archival-style montage that catches viewers up on the new decade, showing how the timeline has evolved. But even as the world grows more distant from ours, there are always touchstones—political figures, NASA personnel, and cultural moments—that keep it grounded.
The series also incorporates the rise of tech billionaires and private space companies, which become major players in the 1990s. They're powerful enough to challenge both the U.S. and the USSR, sometimes even forcing them to cooperate. And as the decades pass, other nations, like the BRICS countries, rise to prominence in space exploration, mirroring real-world geopolitical shifts.
For fans of thoughtful sci-fi, For All Mankind is a must-watch. It's a show that understands worldbuilding isn't just about creating a cool setting—it's about making that setting feel real, lived-in, and consequential. If you're looking for more great sci-fi on Apple TV, you might also enjoy this overlooked thriller or Godzilla's chart-topping run. And if you're in the mood for a heist, 12 12 12 is worth a look.
In a genre full of dystopias and far-off galaxies, For All Mankind stands out by showing us a future that could have been—and making us believe every second of it.
