Apple TV’s new sci-fi series Star City is already in the top 10 most-watched titles on the platform after the first two episodes arrived last week. The show’s first season has eight episodes, dropping every Friday until the Season 1 finale on July 10—while its
By the time the first two episodes of Star City reached Apple TV last week, the early reaction had already turned into numbers. The series quickly climbed into the top 10 most-watched titles on the platform, and the momentum is set to keep building as more episodes arrive.
Star City is scheduled to keep releasing new installments for the next two months. with episodes coming every Friday through the Season 1 finale on July 10. There are eight episodes in the first season. and the show’s performance over this stretch is likely to shape what happens next—because the fate of the series beyond Season 1 will be decided around that time.
The show enters Apple TV’s sci-fi landscape with a pedigree that helps explain the stakes. Star City was written and created for TV by Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert, and it’s a spin-off from For All Mankind. In addition to the lead role. the series has a high-profile cast: Rhys Ifans stars in the lead role of The Chief Designer. Ifans is also known for Curt Connors in The Amazing Spider-Man. and he appears as Otto Hightower in the first two seasons of House of the Dragon.
Other key roles in Star City include Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O’Casey, Alice Englert, Adam Nagatis, and Solly McLeod. Anna Maxwell Martin plays Lyudmilla. The show is set to launch with its release date listed as May 29. 2026. and it plays on Apple TV. with Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert listed as showrunners.
Star City’s central pitch is both ambitious and immediate. and it’s reflected in the official synopsis: Soviet cosmonauts. engineers. and intelligence officers risk everything in an ambitious space program with the hope of being the first to reach the moon. Critics have already responded favorably, with the show holding a nearly flawless 94% critics rating on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
The timing matters for another reason, too—Apple TV has been chasing momentum in sci-fi for years. Pluribus debuted in the second half of 2025 after hailing from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan and starring tenured Better Call Saul veteran Rhea Seehorn. Pluribus shattered records on its way to becoming the most-watched sci-fi show of all time for Apple TV. and it has been renewed for Season 2. though it seems unlikely the show will return anytime soon.
Pluribus’s rise also came with an obvious chess move: to reach the pinnacle of Apple TV sci-fi charts. it had to dethrone Severance. another dystopian series starring Adam Scott and Britt Lower. Severance has two full seasons under its belt. and it has also been picked up for Season 3. which could begin streaming as early as next year—meaning Apple TV’s sci-fi throne won’t be easy to hold.
There’s a clear through-line, even when the details change from show to show. Star City is being positioned to keep its audience engaged through weekly releases—eight episodes in total. Friday after Friday—until July 10. After that, the platform’s next decision won’t just be about whether the moon-aimed stakes land. It will be about whether the early surge can carry the series far enough to earn a future beyond Season 1.
MISRYOUM
Star City Apple TV sci-fi series Rhys Ifans Ben Nedivi Matt Wolpert Ronald D. Moore For All Mankind spin-off Severance Pluribus
Top 10 already? guess it’s gonna be another sci-fi snooze-fest lol.
I don’t even get why they’re saying it’s “already” top 10 when it just dropped like last week. Also the release date says May 29 2026?? so is this like a preview or what.
Wait July 10 finale but then “next two months”?? sounds like they can’t count. And For All Mankind is already good, so of course people are comparing it. I’m watching for Rhys Ifans but if the writing’s not like the old stuff I’m out.
Star City?? Isn’t that the one with the rocket program like in For All Mankind? I swear Apple TV always puts stuff in the top 10 because they pay for placement. Also “The Chief Designer” sounds like a villain title so… yeah not excited.