‘Foundation’ Taps Ian Goldberg As New Showrunner; Writers Room Underway For Likely Season 4

EXCLUSIVE: After a rocky third season that saw the exit of co-developer/showrunner/director David S. Goyer amid production restarts and budget adjustments, things are looking up for Apple TV+‘s sci-fi drama Foundation. With the completed third season not yet scheduled but likely to debut later this year, the streamer and Foundation studio Skydance Television are already prepping a fourth installment of Isaac Asimov’s adaptation starring Jared Harris and Lee Pace.

Ian Goldberg (Fear the Walking Dead) has been tapped as new executive producer/showrunner, with a Season 4 writers room up and running, sources tell Deadline. Goldberg’s work on the show falls under an overall deal he has signed with Skydance TV, I hear.

Season 3, originally paused production in spring 2023 after several weeks of filming due to the WGA strike, was delayed in its 2024 production restart because of issues related to budgeting and physical production. Filming eventually got underway in March 2024 after the budget was brought down. The changes included the departure of Goyer who was to complete his outstanding writing and directing services but not direct further Season 3 episodes as previously planned.

Based on Asimov’s trilogy, Foundation chronicles the saga of The Foundation, a band of exiles who discover that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from destruction is to defy it. It follows the stories of four crucial individuals transcending space and time as they overcome deadly crises, shifting loyalties and complicated relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity.

In addition to Pace and Harris, Foundation stars Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Cassian Bilton, Terrence Mann, Isabella Laughland, Kulvinder Ghir, Ella-Rae Smith, Holt McCallany, Rachel House, Nimrat Kaur, Ben Daniels and Dimitri Leonidas.

Goldberg previously co-wrote a pilot script with Goyer for Syfy’s Superman-origin story series Krypton. Goldberg also served as executive producer and co-showrunner on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead and co-created/executive produced with Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz Freeform’s Dead of Summer. His resume includes stints on Fox’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor, ABC’s FlashForward and Kitsis & Horowitz’s ABC series Once Upon a Time. He is repped by WME, Nacelle Company and Del Shaw Moonves.