Foundation stars admit they had to 'up their game' as Succession icon joins season 3
Terrence Mann, star of the Apple TV+ series Foundation, has dropped some exciting hints about working with new guest star Cherry Jones, known for her role as Nan Pierce in HBO's Succession.
Jones joins the cast as Ambassador Quent in the third season of the sci-fi epic, which is based on Isaac Asimov's legendary novels and set tens of thousands of years into the future under the rule of Emperor Cleon.
The Empire is managed by a trio of clones at different ages: Brother Dawn (played by Cassian Bilton), Brother Day (Lee Pace), and Brother Dusk (Mann), with the upcoming season seeing Day distancing himself from his counterparts, leaving diplomatic responsibilities to Dawn and Dusk.
Their interactions with Quent are crucial, especially as she represents Hari Seldon's (Jared Harris) Foundation.
Speaking to Express Online, Mann expressed his delight at reuniting with Jones, saying, "I've known Cherry for years," and recalling their excitement upon learning they'd be working together: "When I knew she was coming on board we were just excited, we called one another and went 'Oh my God, you're gonna be there!'", reports the Express.
"Every time we've talked about her, she's the most authentic, brilliant actress of our age.
"There's not a bit of artifice on her as a performer or as a person. She's the dearest person you'll ever be with, she gives 100 percent of herself when you're working with her.
"And what a joy, she gets to be my love interest in this season!"
Season three of Foundation presents a formidable challenge for the three Cleons as nearly the entire supporting cast has been replaced.
While Harris is reprising his role as Hari, along with his protégée Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) and the clones' robot advisor Demerzel (Laura Birn), the third season introduces several new characters, most notably the mysterious warmonger known as the Mule (Pilou Asbæk).
Foundation also welcomes Alexander Siddig, Troy Kotsur, Synnøve Karlsen, Cody Fern and Brandon P. Bell to its ranks.
Mann's co-star Bilton chimed in: "To be honest with you, when we saw this new cast list we all turned each other and were like, 'We've got to up our game'.
"Because you've got some real heavy-hitters coming in this season. I mean, Cherry Jones, who's like a Broadway icon and we all know her from Succession.
"I remember she was nominated for an Emmy when we were all on set with her. And Pilou Asbæk, who I adored in Game of Thrones, is now playing the Mule this season.
Get one week free
Watch star-studded shows, Friday Night Baseball and more for seven days free. Membership $9.99/month.
"Cody Fern, who's been brilliant in the Ryan Murphy universe, Synnøve Karlsen who, to my mind, is one of the great young British actresses. And a tonne of other new talent.
"All of those performances bring an authenticity but also a new edge and a new vitality and urgency to the show. I certainly felt [a tonal shift] because it was something I felt reading the scripts."
The actor said, "It is work but I'm also a fan and I watched this show and I binged it, it is so addictive, particularly this season because the tone has shifted to be much darker, much more urgent. Ultimately it has a sense of danger to it."
Regardless of whether you're a returning viewer or new to the series, Foundation's third season is a must-watch for fans of science fiction.
Foundation season 3 continues Fridays on Apple TV+.
Daily Mirror
