Foundation Star Lou Llobell Explores Psychohistory and Gaal’s Season 2 Journey

Foundation is finally returning on July 14, and season 2 is bringing the promise of a rebellion against the evil Empire. As Hari Seldon’s followers gain strength and numbers, Gaal Dornick and her child Salvor Hardin must escape Synnax to fulfill their roles in Psychohistory. This sci-fi series on Apple TV is based on Isaac Asimov’s iconic book series, adapted for television by David S. Goyer.

But that’s not all. Foundation boasts an incredible ensemble cast, including Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Laura Birn, and Cassian Bilton. Season 2 will introduce even more captivating stories and characters, such as Kulvinder Ghir and Ella-Rae Smith, as the show approaches the prophesied fall of the Empire.

FilmmakerFocus had the opportunity to speak with Lou Llobell about Gaal’s journey in season 2, her newfound relationship with her biological daughter, and the exciting new worlds that await them.

Lou Llobell Talks Foundation Season 2

FilmmakerFocus: I love getting to see Gaal with the daughter that she did not know existed. What has that dynamic been like? Because you’re with some of your DNA, but a hundred years out from everything you know.

Lou Llobell: It’s an incredible experience because you’re faced with the challenge of accepting and embracing someone who is biologically connected to you, but exists in a completely different time.Life. You’re also the last two people standing, and you have to get out of this planet together, so you’re immediately thrust into a crazy intense situation that naturally would bring you together.

But the fun thing about that first episode is that they go through all of this. Salvor was kind of disappointed by Gaal not being forthcoming with trying to be so open, and Gaal’s just kind of like, “Listen, we don’t know each other. Let’s take this one step at a time, but who knows where we’ll end up.” I think that’s the most authentic and real response to that kind of situation.

Even though Hari and Gaal were a cornerstone dynamic in the first season, the version of him that we meet this season has been changed by a hundred-plus years of isolation. How does that change their dynamic and Gaal’s perspective on him?

Lou Llobell: I mean, the poor guy. Gaal had no idea, so I’m not even going to blame her. It’s not even her fault, really. They butt heads from the get-go. They are at odds with each other at the beginning and it doesn’t seem like there’s going to be a way out for them.

Salvor, thankfully, is a buffer between them from the get-go, which is fantastic, but the revolution of their relationship throughout the season is pretty beautiful and wonderful to see where they end up, and after everything that happens, how that evolves into something different and maybe a bit more positive.

On the central question or thesis of psychohistory, where do you land? Is there a chosen one? Can someone really change the course of the events, or are things predetermined mathematically speaking?

Lou Llobell: I don’t even think Gaal thinks that. I think Gaal’s slap-bang in the middle, in terms of this theory. She doesn’t want to believe that her visions are reality, because if they are, then they’re pretty much doomed. And it’s such a scary thought to hold that kind of knowledge and information and not want to share it or scare people or believe it.

The math is saying one thing, but the math is also not completely finished. So, what do you rely on? What do you believe in? Somewhere in the middle is where I would be, I think.

Once we get off this planet, where in the Galactic Empire would you like to see Gaal and co. go?

Lou Llobell: They go to loads of different places this season, which is really, really fun. Ignus is probably my favorite place that they are at this season. It’s beautiful, very earthy and wonderful and eerie. Yeah. So, it’s really fun to see that journey throughout the season.

About Foundation Season 2

Based on the award-winning novels by Isaac Asimov, “Foundation” chronicles a band of exiles on their monumental journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization amid the fall of the Galactic Empire.

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