WithFor All Mankindseason 5 expected to drop at some point in 2025, I think it’s time to start speculating in earnest on the subject of what the show’s upcoming run of episodes will look like. AlthoughFor All Mankindseason 4’s endingprovided some clues about what will happen when the saga continues, there’s still a lot that’s been left up to the imagination. That being said, the show’s past trends and recent storylines can be used to come up with some realistic predictions.
For All Mankindseason 5’s confirmationmade it one of the longest-running shows on Apple TV+. Beginning in 2019, the generational sci-fi drama is one of the best efforts within its genre in recent years, and I’m shocked by how little it’s been talked about. It’s a standout project even amongApple TV+’s impressive sci-fi library, as it’s often impossible to tell what’s going to happen next. Regardless, I’ve made some educated guesses based on trends I’ve spotted within the show’s formula to this point.
6For All Mankind Season 5 Will Introduce A Batch Of New Characters
The Apple TV+ show always needs fresh faces
For All Mankindseason 4’s castincluded fresh faces, as has been the case with every previous batch of episodes. Because each season ends with a time-jump of roughly a decade, the main characters quite often age out of the story or step aside for other narrative seasons. So, if new characters weren’t brought aboard, the main cast would just get thinner and thinner. So,I would be very surprised ifFor All Mankindseason 5 didn’t repeat this trend.
Despite Joel Kinnaman only being in his mid-forties, season 4 had him playing Ed Baldwin in his seventies.
Of course, the show won’t completely dispense with all of its pre-existing characters.For All Mankindhas long thrived on telling its characters' stories over incredibly long periods of time. The actors often need to be plastered in makeup for it to work, but it has become one of the show’s biggest hallmarks. For instance, despite Joel Kinnaman only being in his mid-forties, season 4 had him playing Ed Baldwin in his seventies.
5Mars Will Be Enjoying A New Age Of Prosperity, But It’ll Be Under Threat
It would be boring if Happy Valley just continued to thrive without obstacles to overcome
The colony on Mars was a huge part ofFor All Mankindseason 4’s story, after being established during a tumultuous origin story in season 3. After a brief period of seeming like Earth was going to divert resources from Happy Valley, season 4 included a thrilling subplot about Ed Baldwin and Dev Ayesa (Edi Gathgei) hijacking the Goldilocks asteroid. The huge ball of rock was filled with valuable resources that were intended to be mined in Earth orbit, but the unlikely duo decided it would benefit Mars' future more.
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Although a glimpse at the show’s alternate version of 2012 at the end ofFor All Mankindseason 4 reveals their plan has indeed resulted in the Mars colony thriving even more than it already was, the show isn’t one to let things go well for very long. Sure, a long time may have since passed within the world of the show, but there will be a reason why season 5 is picking up where it is.I’m convinced something will threaten Mars' success, and could even risk the lives of everyone in Happy Valley.
4Ed Baldwin Will Appear In Flashbacks Only
Joel Kinnaman may have a different kind of role in For All Mankind season 5
Joel Kinnaman’s presence amongFor All Mankind’s season 5 cast has already been confirmed, but it hasn’t been announced exactly what Ed Baldwin’s role will be in the upcoming run. AlthoughEd could still be alive on Mars, it’s equally possible that he will have died of old age by 2012. I’m relatively certain the latter will be true, but that doesn’t mean Ed can’t still be part of the story via creative means. Although the show doesn’t typically look anywhere but forward, flashbacks are always a possibility.
Kinnaman is even still young enough to play season 1-era Ed if that’s the plan.
For All Mankindseason 4 included flashbacks to the Mars colony’s formative moments, and they showed unseen scenes that were set shortly after the events of season 3. So, there is already a precedent for the storytelling technique within the show.Ed has been in every season ofFor All Mankindso far, so there are no restrictions on which era could be flashed back to.Kinnaman is even still young enough to play season 1-era Edif that’s the plan.
3Earth Will Be Experiencing Even More Unrest Thanks To Mars
For All Mankind’s extended Space Race is hurting the blue and green planet
One ofFor All Mankind’s longest-running subplots is how space exploration is negatively impacting those left behind on Earth. Day-to-day life is largely the same in the show’s alternate timeline, but every advancement inspace travel seems to take away chances and opportunities from hardworking Earth citizens. It has never really received much direct attention, but it has been bubbling away in the background, and it can’t be ignored forever.
The additional success of Mars thanks to the Goldilocks mining operation will pull even more resources towards the red planet.
With the Moon already such a major part of Earth’s economy, the additional success of Mars thanks to the Goldilocks mining operation will pull even more resources towards the red planet. This will mean even more frustrated people on Earth who will likely be left without work., but being forced to do so rather than choosing that path is sure to cause more tension, and probably riots. Plus, there won’t be room for everyone.
2Margot Won’t Spend All Of For All Mankind Season 5 in Prison
Wrenn Schmidt’s character is too important to be kept locked up
After taking the blame for Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña) and her inputting of the rogue code that sabotaged the Goldilocks capture mission, Wrenn Schmidt’sMargo Madison endedFor All Mankindbeing arrestedby the FBI. In reality, she would likely remain there for an incredibly long time, if not forever - especially taking into account her defection to the Soviet Union. However,Schmidt is returning to the cast for season 5, and it wouldn’t make very much sense for her story to be told entirely from behind bars. Therefore, I expect her to be released in some capacity.
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9.4/10
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8.9/10
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“City Upon a Hill”
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“Stranger in a Strange Land”
8.8/10
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“Bent Bird”
Continuing Margot’s story from her jail cell wouldn’t really fit with the show’s feel. So, what I think is more likely is that Margot is released from prison under FBI supervision when NASA or another space organization experiences a problem that only the expertise of Schmidt’s character can help solve. Alternatively, Ellen Wilson (Jodi Balfour) could return as US President again for her second term, after being absent for all of season 4. If so,Ellen is one of the few people even slightly likely to give Margot a presidential pardon.
1For All Mankind’s 2012 Setting Will Boast Near-Present Day Technology
The Apple TV+ sci-fi drama has quietly advanced technology beyond its real timeline
The Soviet Union beating the US to the moon inFor All Mankindseason 1 is the biggest turning point in the show’s alternate reality. It resulted in the Space Race never really ending, and it brought more and more countries and organizations into the rush to the stars. This global contest has caused more than its fair share of problems, but it has also resulted in some innovations that happened before they did in the real world.
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The scientificadvancements required to stay ahead in the Space Race have trickled down to the general publicinFor All Mankind. For instance, proto-smartphones and electric cars have already been spotted, even before the jump to 2012 at the end of season 4. So, with season 5 taking place in the early 2010s, I’m expecting the tech available to everyday citizens to be pretty much identical to the devices we already have in 2025. These subtle little teases have been one of my favorite parts ofFor All Mankindso far, and really highlight the show’s attention to detail.
