A new period thriller set in 1970s Russia at the height of the Cold War has been hailed as “flawless” and “magnificent” by critics and viewers. The two-part premiere of Star City was released on Friday, 29th May, and has already garnered acclaim for its air-tight plotting, incredible cast, and an addictive science fiction twist.
The series is an historical thriller with a twist, beginning with an alternative moment in the 20th Century in which the Soviet Union becomes the first nation to reach the Moon in 1969. Based on the speculative sci-fi series For All Mankind, this Apple TV spin-off goes back decades before the flagship’s current timeline to peer behind the Iron Curtain at the USSR’s efforts during this stunning alternative take on the space race.
Star City features several recognisable names from British film and television. Notting Hill and House of the Dragon star Rhys Ifans takes on the role of the Soviet’s shadowy chief designer in charge of their manned missions beyond Earth’s orbit, while Motherland’s Anna Maxwell Martin is chilling as the head of Star City’s KGB surveillance department, Lyudmilla Raskova.
Variety has called Star City a “flawless” spin-off that “soars”, concluding that it’s a “heavy, thought-provoking drama that pulls viewers deeper into the plot as it moves forward”. The Guardian’s four-star review was equally ecstatic, calling the series “fascinating” and “packed with paranoia and tension”, though also warns it “will give you nightmares”, especially due to Maxwell’s “terrifying” performance as a KGB operative.
Media pundit and sci-fi aficionado Robert Meyer Burnett declared on X: “The first episode of the @forallmankind_ spinoff, STAR CITY, was MAGNIFICENT.” An IMDb user’s 10/10 review gushed: “It is gripping, atmospheric, and incredibly well-paced. Phenomenal television thus far.”
Star City is essential viewing for fans of For All Mankind, which will air its sixth and final season next year. However, as it takes place at the very start of this alternative timeline, it also serves as the perfect starting point for new viewers.
