After beating America to the moon, the Chief Designer (Rhys Ifans) of the Soviet Space Program continues to strive for greatness in the name of science. Tensions rise, however, when security chief Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin) clamps down on surveillance in the Russian cosmonaut training centre of Star City.
Streaming on: Apple TV
Episodes viewed: 5 of 8
The pressure of making Star City — a spin-off of the beloved alternate-history drama For All Mankind — must have been immense. That surely pales in comparison to the strain endured by the characters of the show itself, though. Never mind that these scientists and cosmonauts are ahead in the Space Race: they’re not doing this for themselves, and they’re not doing it for all mankind either — they’re doing it for Mother Russia, whose iron grip is absolute.
Taking us back to the late ’60s, showrunners Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert retell key events from the first season of For All Mankind without repeating what’s come before. Star City is a much harsher beast, trading in the optimism of its predecessor for something far bleaker, but no less compelling. To pull this off, the writers ground all the relentless paranoia and snitching with characters to root for, including some younger versions of recognisable faces such as Sergei Nikulov (Josef Davies) and Irina Morozova (Agnes O’Casey).
[Anna Maxwell] Martin Martin has never been better, elevating what could be rather dour into scenes that thrum with energy…
O’Casey is the breakout star, mesmerising to watch as she observes a married couple who may or may not be faithful to their country. Everyone understandably has their guard up at all times, but as specific relationships gradually thaw and even heat up, other standout personalities emerge as well. The two-hander that pulls it all together isn’t half as guarded, however: the ‘Chief Designer’ (Rhys Ifans) and Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin) are at odds from the start, despite fighting for the same cause. The air is thick with their contempt for each other, and Raskova is especially vicious in her cold austerity. Martin has never been better, elevating what could be rather dour into scenes that thrum with energy, even when trapped in a brutally oppressive Soviet setting.
Would this ring truer if the cast spoke in actual Russian? Absolutely, but if you’re willing to overlook the ‘Chernobyl Effect’, Star City is a worthy successor to For All Mankind, proving that there’s still life in this world (and potentially worlds beyond it too).
Star City is cold and claustrophobic where For All Mankind is caring and cheerful, which makes for a gripping inversion of Apple’s sci-fi drama — inspiring awe of a very different kind.
