Dina Bader: Apple TV+ series 'Foundation' will be Ireland's largest-ever production

It's a drama based on Isaac Asimov's sci-fi novel trilogy.

What you need to know

Apple's next TV+ series is called Foundation.
Its production is set to employ more than 500 people, making it Ireland's largest-scale production ever.
It's a sci-fi drama, based on Isaac Asimov's sci-fi novel trilogy.

The next Apple TV+ show, Foundation, is set to be Ireland's largest-ever production when it's shot in Limerick later this year.

In a statement Screen Ireland said:

International productions filming in Ireland include Foundation is an Apple Original drama series that chronicles the epic saga of The Foundation, a band of exiles who discover that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from destruction is to defy it. The series is based on Isaac Asimov's novel series of the same name. The series is the largest production ever to film on location in Ireland, creating over 500 production jobs. Several training initiatives are underway for new entrants into the industry in the Limerick region, with over 40 skills development participants on the show. Irish talent is represented across the production, including award winning costume designer Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, who leads a large costume department.

The Foundation series dates back to 1951, the three novels are titled Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation. In 1966 it was awarded a Hugo Award for 'Best All time Series.' The original stories were first published as early as 1942, and according to Asimov himself is loosely based on Edward Gibbon's work 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'.

Whilst we know this is to be produced in Ireland this year, we don't have any information regarding a release date, or indeed any casting information at this point. On face value though, this sounds like an incredible concept, and if it lives up to the hype of the novels, it could be a stellar addition to Apple's TV+ lineup.