This article contains potential spoilers for future ‘Foundation’ Season 3 storylines.
Foundationis now officially in its third season on AppleTV+, and withEpisode 1’s premiere on July 11, all eyes are on The Mule, one of the most formidable forces fromIsaac Asimov’s original books and now the adaptation.Pilou Asbæk, who stepped into the role this season,offered a tease during a recent interviewwith Collider’sSteve Weintraubabout the trajectory The Mule’s storyline is barreling toward this season: “Between you and me, and I’m not gonna spoil anything,you’re gonna be very happy with Episode 10.You’ll be like, ‘Okay, alright. That was wonderful.’”
Why Is The Mule Important to ‘Foundation’?
A mutant with the power to manipulate emotions, The Mule first emerges in Asimov’s bookFoundation and Empireto dismantle the Foundation’s political dominance following the fall of the Galactic Empire. His rise marks a turning point in the narrative’s philosophical core: the idea that human emotion and unpredictability can upend even the most meticulous science. In the series, The Mule first had a brief appearance in Season 2, played byMikael Persbrandtat the time. The show immediately provided an idea of what viewers can expect from the character in a flash-forward vision experienced by Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell). In her vision, we see a glimpse of the devastation his hate-driven ambition would cause: a fiery future where Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey) is dead, and a goggled man lifts Gaal by the throat, shouting, “Where are your Mentalics? Where is the Second Foundation?”
The moment was one that showrunnerDavid S. Goyerknew would stun audiences, as he’d always understood the importance of The Mule. And while the second season finale disrupted Gaal’s earlier predictions when Salvor Hardin was killed prematurely,The Mule is still a force to be reckoned with – a fact Asbæk is keen to bring to the screen with nuance.
Asbæk Roots for the Villain, and Thanks To His Portrayal, Audiences Might Too
Describing his nuanced portrayal of The Mule inFoundationSeason 3, Asbæk referred to his character as one of many villains who are “misunderstood,”diving into how he finds himself rooting for the villainwhen he watches film or television because he sees a missed opportunity in characters who are always trying to do the right thing. “I don’t think that’s very recognizable as a human being,” he explained. “I think us humans are tested daily. We’re forcing ourselves to be good in many different difficult situations daily. And you know what?Sometimes it’s nice to be a little bit evil.”
Asbæk’s casting signals a shift towarddeeper psychological intensity for the role rather than pure brutality.Known for his villainous characters, such as Euron Greyjoy inGame of Thrones, the Danish actor is once again blurring the line between brute force and calculating charm. With Asbæk in the role and Season 3 officially underway, thanks to this interview, the question is no longerifThe Mule will upend the galaxy – it’show. If Goyer stays true to Asimov’s trajectory,audiences may find themselves watching the Foundation crumble under the weight of a single man’s will. And as Asbæk promised, we might just enjoy it.
New episodes ofFoundationSeason 3 release on Fridays onAppleTV+until Episode 10 on Friday, September 12.
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