For All Mankind Season 5 Release Date Set for March 27: The Earth-Mars Schism Begins

10 episodes and a whole new world. Apple TV+'s sci-fi epic, For All Mankind, is set to return for its fifth season on March 27, 2026. After a two-year hiatus, the series plunges back into a timeline where the Space Race never ended, shifting its focus from the Moon to the volatile politics of the Red Planet.

For All Mankind Season 5 Plot: A New Interplanetary Cold War

According to Entertainment Weekly, Season 5 jumps forward to the year 2012. The story picks up after the dramatic heist of the Goldilocks asteroid, which is now being mined in Mars' orbit. While the Happy Valley base has flourished into a thriving colony with thousands of residents, the success has bred resentment back on Earth.

Co-creator Matt Wolpert noted that the core conflict has evolved. The original U.S. vs. USSR rivalry has transformed into a rift between those living on Mars and those remaining on Earth. Earth's nations are demanding 'law and order' on the Red Planet, leading to a friction that threatens the very stability of the solar system.

Cast Changes and the Next Generation

While Joel Kinnaman returns as an aging Ed Baldwin, the show continues its tradition of introducing new faces to represent the passage of time. Sean Kaufman joins the cast, likely portraying a grown-up Alex Baldwin. This generational shift emphasizes the show's theme of legacy and the long-term consequences of humanity's expansion into the stars.