One Original Character's Reduced Screen Time in For All Mankind Season 4 Spurs Fan Speculation
Jodi Balfour's departure as Ellen in For All Mankind carries immense significance, creating a major impact on the show's future
Warning: SPOILERS for For All Mankind Season 3 finale - "Stranger In A Strange Land"
Summary
Jodi Balfour, known for her portrayal of Ellen Waverly in For All Mankind, will not be a regular cast member for season 4. However, she is set to make appearances in a limited capacity.
Balfour's departure is notable due to the unresolved storyline of her character in the season 3 finale. After coming out as a lesbian and encountering pressure to step down, the fate of Ellen Waverly remains uncertain.
In addition to other cast members exiting, season 4 of For All Mankind will introduce new characters portrayed by Daniel Stern, Svetlana Efremova, Tyner Rushing, and Toby Kebbell. One original cast member will have a guest-starring role in the upcoming season. The renowned Apple TV+ series, created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi, explores an alternate history where the global space race continued. Throughout its run, For All Mankind has undergone various changes to its ensemble.
Why Jodi Balfour's Exit As Ellen Is So Significant
TVLine reports that Jodi Balfour will not be a regular cast member for the upcoming season 4 of For All Mankind. However, the actress, who portrays the role of NASA astronaut-turned-president Ellen Waverly, will still make appearances in some capacity. Since the series' debut in 2019, Balfour has been a part of this alternate history drama, and her character's storyline from the season 3 finale remains unresolved.
As the U.S. president in the final episode of For All Mankind season 3, Ellen makes a profound announcement to the American people, revealing her true identity as a lesbian. Despite this, her conservative vice president, Jim Bragg (played by Randy Oglesby), suggests that she should step down from her position. However, her future remains uncertain, particularly with a time leap to 2003. This ending leaves an important note for the character, and it is highly likely that Balfour will continue to recur or make guest appearances to bring closure to her story arc.
Balfour, who recently appeared on Ted Lasso season 3 as Jack Danvers, is not the only cast member to have recently left. The intense finale of For All Mankind season 3 saw two characters, Karen Baldwin (Shantel VanSanten) and Molly Cobb (Sonya Walger), tragically killed in a domestic terrorist attack on the Johnson Space Center.
As we await the premiere date for For All Mankind season 4, a few new faces will be joining the cast. Daniel Stern, known for his role in Shrill, will portray Eli Hobson, a new administrator at NASA. Svetlana Efremova, from The Americans, will play the role of high-ranking Soviet official Irina Morozova. Tyner Rushing, known for The Terminal List, will portray Samantha, a worker on the Mars colony. Toby Kebbell, who recently finished filming the Apple TV+ thriller Servant, will take on the role of Miles, a character searching for new job opportunities on Mars.
Source: TVLine
