Star City (Star City) is a 2026 American drama fantasy television series created by Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert. The film premiered on the Apple TV movie platform on May 29, 2026.
Star City is an ambitious science fiction series that expands the universe of For all humanity (2019), but it does so in a surprising way — by turning the perspective to the Soviet side of the space race. The series combines alternative history, spy thriller, and human drama. It stands out with its concept — instead of the familiar American view of space, here we are „behind the Iron Curtain,“ where every achievement has its price.
Set in an alternate reality where the Soviet Union wins the space race and is the first to land a man on the moon, the story focuses on the inner workings of the Soviet space program—not just the cosmonauts, but also the engineers and intelligence agents who control every step of the process.
At the center is the so-called "Star City" - a place that is simultaneously a scientific center, a military base and a closed system in which personal life almost does not exist. The series explores the tension between ideology and humanity, the cost of scientific progress, constant control and surveillance, and the personal sacrifices behind great historical successes. This is not just a story about space - it is a story about people living under pressure, where any mistake can be fatal not only professionally, but also personally.
The direction and overall tone are heavily influenced by spy thrillers. Instead of classic sci-fi spectacle, Star City relies on tension, paranoia, and a claustrophobic atmosphere. Visually, the series contrasts between cold, sterile interior spaces and the vast, indifferent cosmos. The pace is more restrained, but saturated with tension that builds gradually. This makes it closer to a political drama than a typical space story.
Rhys Ifans – in the role of the chief designer. A central figure who carries the weight of the program — both brilliant and under constant pressure.
Anna Maxwell Martin – in the role of Lyudmila Raskova. A representative of the security services, a symbol of control and suspicion in the system.
Agnes O'Casey – in the role of Irina Morozova. A younger character through whom we see the internal contradictions of the system.
Adam Nagaitis – in the role of Valya Markelova. An astronaut with authority and inner complexity, representing the weight of the mission.
Alice Englert – in the role of Anastasia Belikova. A symbol of the new generation and the ambition to break through in a strictly controlled environment.
Star City has the potential to be one of the most interesting sci-fi titles of 2026, precisely because it relies not on spectacle, but on perspective and atmosphere. This is a series about power and control, fear and ambition, and the human cost of "great victories." If For All Mankind shows the dream of space, Star City shows her dark side.
