Article Overview
"For All Mankind" season 4 takes place in 2003 and introduces new characters as Mars becomes a frontier town for the international space program's asteroid mining project.
Actors such as Joel Kinnaman and Wrenn Schmidt utilize prosthetics and gray wigs to portray their characters, Ed Baldwin and Margo Madison, in the upcoming season. Additionally, the new season will delve into the repercussions of the destructive Johnson Space Center bombing, as well as the challenges faced by the remaining astronauts as they strive to persevere on Mars.
In For All Mankind season 4, the alternative history drama takes us to the year 2003, introducing a blend of familiar and new characters. Each season showcases a different decade, and viewers have witnessed the original core characters sacrifice their lives in the pursuit of advancing humanity. In season 4, only a few of the original For All Mankind characters remain active, necessitating the use of prosthetics and gray wigs for actors like Joel Kinnaman and Wrenn Schmidt, who continue portraying Ed Baldwin and Margo Madison in the year 2003.
Taking place eight years after the devastating Johnson Space Center bombing that concluded season 3, season 4 unveils the significant presence of humanity on Mars during the early 2000s. Nearly a decade after the first human footsteps on Mars, the planet has transformed into a bustling frontier town ready to initiate the international space program's groundbreaking asteroid mining venture. This ambitious project requires a substantial labor force from outside NASA and other space agencies. As blue-collar workers flood into the red planet, For All Mankind introduces a fresh ensemble, as individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds strive to make their fortunes in this new gold rush.
For All Mankind
For All Mankind presents a captivating alternate reality where the global space race persisted without end. It delves into the hypothetical scenario of what could have unfolded in the competition to reach the moon between the Soviet Union and the United States. Moreover, the series explores the profound impact on the astronauts, their loved ones, and the space programs in the aftermath. Developed by Ronald D. Moore and starring Joel Kinnaman as a NASA astronaut, this Apple TV+ production showcases renowned historical figures like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
Joel Kinnaman as Ed Baldwin
When viewers last saw Ed Baldwin, he was stranded on Mars along with the rest of the combined crews from NASA, Roscosmos, North Korea, and Helios. For All Mankind season 4 is set eight years after Ed and the surviving astronauts were left on Mars with dwindling supplies, waiting for rescue. It will be fascinating to witness how the struggle for survival on Mars and the tragic death of his ex-wife Karen Baldwin (Shantel VanSanten) have affected Ed during this period. Following the conclusion of For All Mankind season 3 last summer, Kinnaman appeared in the 2023 action thriller Sympathy for the Devil alongside Nicolas Cage. Kinnaman portrayed the unsuspecting Driver, who was coerced at gunpoint into driving Cage's enigmatic Passenger.
Wrenn Schmidt as Margo Madison
Following the devastating bombing in the climax of For All Mankind season 3, it was widely believed that Margo had tragically lost her life. However, in a surprising twist revealed during a flash-forward scene after the credits, it became clear that Margo had actually defected to the Soviet Union. The forthcoming season 4 hints at Margo's involvement with Roscosmos, suggesting that Lenara Catiche (portrayed by Vera Cherny) orchestrated her extraction from the United States. Recently, Wrenn Schmidt showcased her talent as Heidi Starling in The Starling Girl, a poignant coming-of-age drama centered around a Christian fundamentalist community. This film received accolades, including a nomination for the prestigious Grand Jury prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Krys Marshall as Danielle Poole
Coral Peña as Aleida Rosales
Like Ed Baldwin, Danielle Poole also found herself stranded on Mars by the end of season 3 of For All Mankind. Accompanied by Grigory Kuznetsov (played by Lev Gorn), they both stepped foot on the red planet. In season 4, Krys Marshall will reprise her role as Dani, and it is likely that the show will revisit their challenging experience on Mars. Recent promotional photos reveal that Dani and Ed are still working together after eight years, raising anticipation for the new obstacles that For All Mankind will present to them. Additionally, Krys Marshall was featured in the Tubi original Alone in the Dark in 2022.
Since Ed, Margo, and Dani are reaching the end of their careers, it is expected that For All Mankind season 4 will focus on its younger characters. In the previous season, Aleida Rosales (played by Coral Peña) was seen in Margo's office, gazing at the aftermath of the JSC bombing. Having grown suspicious of Margo's connections to the Soviet Union in season 3, it will be intriguing to see if Aleida uncovers the truth about Margo Madison's whereabouts in For All Mankind season 4. Coral Peña was recently featured in the 2023 film Story Ave, directed by Luis Guzman, which was part of the Sundance Labs initiative.
Cynthy Wu as Kelly Baldwin
Cynthy Wu will reprise her role as Kelly Baldwin in season 4 of For All Mankind. In addition to her ongoing quest for life on Mars, she will navigate the challenges of being a single mother. Kelly's son, who was born aboard the Phoenix spacecraft in space, will become the first child to grow up in the public eye between seasons 3 and 4 of For All Mankind. This unique circumstance could have intriguing implications for their life together. Moreover, Cynthy Wu, known for her role in American Vandal, made a guest appearance in an episode of Netflix's popular series Beef in 2023.
Edi Gathegi as Dev Ayesa
Edi Gathegi, who portrayed former Helios CEO Dev Ayesa, is set to reprise his role in season 4 of For All Mankind. After being ousted by Karen Baldwin, Ayesa's return will undoubtedly involve him picking up the pieces of his shattered company. It will be intriguing to witness whether Dev reemerges as the face of Helios in the upcoming season, with his focus on the Martian colony that he played a crucial part in founding. In addition to his involvement in For All Mankind, Edi Gathegi showcased his talent as Mr. Smiles in the superhero satire The Guardians of Justice and is currently cast as Mr. Terrific in James Gunn's highly anticipated Superman: Legacy.
Other Returning For All Mankind Characters
As For All Mankind enters its fourth season, it fast-forwards eight years from the events of season 3. The departure of President Ellen Waverly (Jodi Balfour) from office is imminent. However, Jodi Balfour will make a guest appearance in For All Mankind in some capacity. Additionally, viewers can anticipate the presence of Casey W. Johnson as Danny Stevens and Noah Harpster as Bill Strauss in some form throughout the course of For All Mankind season 4.
For All Mankind Season 4's New Characters Explained
For All Mankind season 4 introduces notable additions to the cast. Daniel Stern, known for his role as Marv in Home Alone, joins as Eli Hobson, the newly appointed NASA Director. Hobson's objective is to modernize the agency to align with a more profit-driven era. Svetlana Efremova, recognized for her role in The Americans, portrays Irina Morozova, the counterpart to Hobson from Roscosmos. Additionally, Toby Kebbell, renowned for his performances in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Fantastic Four, tackles the character of Miles Dale. Joining him is Tyner Rushing from Under the Banner of Heaven, cast as Samantha, both of whom confront significant obstacles in their roles as blue-collar workers on the challenging Martian frontier.
For All Mankind season 4 streams Fridays on AppleTV+ from November 10th.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of "For All Mankind," I am thrilled about the upcoming fourth season. The show's unique blend of historical events and science fiction has captivated me since its inception, and I can't wait to see what the new season has in store.
The introduction of new characters and the advancement of the storyline to 2003 adds an exciting element to the show. The Martian journey and the asteroid mining project provide a fresh backdrop for the characters to explore, and I am eager to see how they navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with this new frontier.
The return of familiar faces like Joel Kinnaman's Ed Baldwin and Wrenn Schmidt's Margo Madison is also something I am looking forward to. These characters have been through a lot over the course of the show, and it will be interesting to see how they have evolved and changed in the intervening years.
Overall, I am very excited about the upcoming season of "For All Mankind." The show has consistently delivered high-quality storytelling and thought-provoking themes, and I am confident that season 4 will continue this trend. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the characters and the world of the show.