In 1969, Neil Armstrong made history as the first human to walk on the moon. In a twist on history, Apple TV’s sci-fi drama “For All Mankind,” which launched in 2019, explores an alternate reality created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi. The show envisions a scenario where the Soviet Union beats the United States to the lunar landing. Set to conclude its sixth and final season in 2027, the series presents a very different vision of America. Now, with the spinoff “Star City,” Moore, Wolpert, and Nedivi delve into a gripping thriller set behind the Iron Curtain, offering a fresh perspective from the Soviet space program. Despite some accent inconsistencies, “Star City” is praised for its compelling performances and engaging storyline, serving as a standalone series independent of “For All Mankind.”
Sergei Korolev, considered the father of the Soviet Space program, passed away in 1966, leading to the collapse of the Soviet Moon project. However, in “Star City,” Korolev is portrayed as still alive, serving as the Chief Designer, played by Rhys Ifans. The narrative does not center on him but opens with a suspenseful scene involving two women. Set in 1969, a woman is abruptly awakened by loud knocks on her door. After calming her child, she is taken away in a car. As she is led through a dim corridor, she pleads with soldiers, asserting her husband’s loyalty to the Soviet Union. Her journey ends in a control room where she watches, astonished, as her husband, cosmonaut Alexei Leonov (Sam Wilkinson), becomes the first person to walk on the moon.
Subsequently, Irina Morozova (Agnes O’Casey) hurries through Star City’s apartment complexes to her workplace. After passing security checks and navigating endless corridors, she arrives at her desk. Irina is a new recruit in Star City’s surveillance department, led by Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin) of the KGB. Having relocated from Moscow with her daughter Zoya (Eadie Johnson), Irina is assigned to monitor the home of renowned cosmonaut Valya Mironov (Adam Nagaitis) and his wife, Tanya (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis), a pianist feeling confined in Star City. Though her role involves eavesdropping on their conversations, she feels a growing connection with Tanya. Meanwhile, engineer Sergei Nikulov (Josef Davies) finds himself restricted by his role but is excited by a risky new project.
Leonov’s moon-landing, a moment that should bring joy to Star City, instead breeds tension and betrayal. The Chief Designer, unable to leave the Soviet Union, is ordered to focus solely on lunar missions despite his ambitions for other endeavors. In this male-dominated field, female cosmonauts like Yana Akhmatova (Niamh Algar) and Anastasia Belikova (Alice Englert) question when they will have their moment to shine. Meanwhile, Chada Lakshmi (Priya Kansara), a talented scientist from India, is relegated to a rundown lab, and cosmonaut Sasha Polivanov (Solly McLeod) irks Valya with his carefree demeanor amidst the serious environment.
Although the narrative revolves around space exploration, “Star City” captivates with its character-driven plot. In a climate of fear, where sabotage and danger loom, residents of Star City conceal their true selves. Viewers catch glimpses of authenticity through subtle clues, piecing them together across the eight-episode season, with critics having previewed five episodes. The series is set against a somber backdrop that reflects a world on the brink of being consumed by its own oppressive regime.
“Star City” offers a heavy, thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s brightest and darkest facets, blending revisionist history with a tale of risks and sacrifices made in the pursuit of glory. It transcends the narrative of space conquest to reflect on the essence of human ambition and the quest for lasting legacy.
The first two episodes of “Star City” debut May 29 on Apple TV, with the remaining episodes airing weekly on Fridays.
