Spinoff of Apple TV+’s Longest-Running Series Debuts With a Perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

If you thought Apple TV+ was done squeezing all the narrative juice out of the For All Mankind universe, think again. Star City, the latest spin-off, has blasted off with its opening two episodes landing on 29 May 2026, and the early word from the critics? Pretty much orbital. Right out of the gate, it’s sitting pretty with a flawless 100% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Only six reviews in so far, but still—impeccable start.

What’s the Setup?

Creators Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert, and Ronald D. Moore (yes, the same architect behind For All Mankind) are taking us deep into Soviet territory. The show unpacks life on the 'other side' of the alternate-timeline space race introduced in the original series. Instead of more NASA nostalgia, you’re dropped into a landscape of Soviet paranoia, bureaucracy, and, apparently, rather a lot of brooding. It’s not just more of the same with Russian dialogue—it’s got its own mood entirely.

What the Critics Are Actually Saying

• Espionage and Tension: Ryan Britt (Inverse) is impressed by how the show balances human dreams with the heavy hand of the state. He reckons, ‘Sometimes, you actually forget it’s a show about space travel,’ which honestly sounds like a compliment here. Best moments? According to Britt, it’s when the series slows down and leans into its spy drama side, with the theme of optimism put under brutal pressure.
• Emotional Investment Takes Time: Nick Schager (The Daily Beast) points out that Star City doesn’t exactly serve up likeable, relatable characters from the get-go. It’s a bit chilly at first, emotionally speaking. But, stick it out; Schager says the writing finds its groove mid-season, revealing just how ‘twisted, mangled, and corrupted’ everyone gets by living under Soviet rule. Warm stuff.
• Visuals and Storytelling Win Points: Carly Lane (Collider) singles out the series’ visuals, the cast’s performances, and the show’s knack for unravelling Soviet mysteries. She thinks Star City is so gripping in the moment that it doesn’t need a ten-year plan just to match the original’s stamina.

The Rotten Tomatoes Hype

At the time of writing, there’s no mystical crowd wisdom (audience scores aren’t out yet), but the critics have given Star City a unanimous thumbs up. Naturally, that perfect score could tank or soar as more reviews roll in, but for now, Apple’s latest is batting a thousand with the reviewer set.