In the original cold open of Apple TV+‘s Foundation, narrator Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) didn’t just introduce us to the vast universe of Isaac Asimov’s sci-fi epic, but she teased the names of three main characters who would define the fate of the titular Foundation: “Salvor Hardin. Hober Mallow. The Mule.” While we met Leah Harvey‘s gender-bent version of Salvor Hardin right there at the start of the series, Apple TV+ has made us wait until Foundation Season 2 Episode 2 “A Glimpse of Darkness” to hear anything about Hober Mallow (Dimitri Leonidas) or The Mule (Mikael Persbrandt).
**Spoilers for Foundation Season 2 Episode 2 “A Glimpse of Darkness, now streaming on Apple TV+, ahead!**
Foundation Season 2 Episode 2 “A Glimpse of Darkness” makes major moves by introducing us to a terrifying science fiction villain and setting the stage for the introduction of two more iconic Asimov characters. Gaal Dornick uses her powers of prophecy to project herself into a future nightmare, where she encounters a powerful and cruel telepath who calls himself The Mule. During that vision, she also gleans the importance of a man named Hober Mallow to the fate of the Empire. Elsewhere, that same Empire is readying its own battle against the Foundation with the use of a brilliant military commander named Bel Riose (Ben Daniels).
So how does Apple TV+ Foundation introduce Asimov’s The Mule, Hober Mallow, and Bel Riose into the TV show’s universe? Here’s what you need to know about The Mule, Hober Mallow, and Bel Riose on Foundation...
Who is Playing The Mule on Foundation on Apple TV+?
So who is playing one of the most terrifying characters in all of Asimov’s books? Mikael Persbrandt is playing The Mule in Foundation on Apple TV+.
Sci-fi fans knew that Persbrandt was cast in the second season of the series as early as February 2022, but Apple officially called his character the Warlord of Kalgan. The Mule, obviously, took over Kalgan in the books, so maybe it wasn’t a total feint, but this week’s episode of Foundation confirms Persbrandt is The Mule.
Mikael Persbrandt is a Swedish actor who has appeared in The Hobbit trilogy as Beorn and In A Better World.
How Does Foundation Introduce The Mule?
In order to precipitate a vision of the future, Gaal agrees to basically asphyxiate herself to trigger her gift of prophecy. Gaal immediately finds herself in a future battle, chased by a menacing figure in a weaponized suit who hides his eyes behind creepy shades. Gaal tries to fight back, but is soon overpowered by the mysterious villain. He lifts her up in a chokehold and the conversation that follows feels extremely important for the future of Foundation:
“All alone…without your warriors. Where are your Mentallics, Gaal? Where is the Second Foundation?” The creeper pulls his googles back, revealing eerily glowing eyes.
“I can reach inside your mind. What’s that I see? A younger self peeking out at me? Are you from the Age of Empire? Before Hober Mallow pierced its side?”
We don’t know what would have happened next because Salvor calls Gaal back to her timeline. As Gaal comes to, Salvor is horrified to see that there are bruises on her throat where this monster from the future had choked her.
“He calls himself The Mule,” Gaal informs Salvor and the projection of Seldon. “He’s the source of the coming darkness. He’s like us.”
With Gaal’s vision, the trio surmises that The Mule is a more powerful telepath than any of them. Gaal explains that in the timeline she saw, most of the galaxy had already fallen at The Mule’s feet. Still, he wanted more. The location of the Second Foundation.
“He’s afraid of the Second Foundation. Hari, he thinks they’re the only thing that can stop him.”
Hari (Jared Harris) realizes not only that the Second Foundation can still exist, but Gaal has the key to where it should be built still there in her time-traveling psyche. Ignus.
Gaal also saw more in her vision that she waits until the end of the episode to reveal. While running from The Mule, she saw Salvor laying dead on the battlefield.
Clearly this glimpse of the future is designed to spur Gaal, Salvor, and Hari into action. Their mission is two-fold: they must start the Second Foundation and find someone named Hober Mallow…
Who is Hober Mallow in Isaac Asimov’s Books? Who is Playing Hober Mallow on Apple TV+’s Foundation?
In addition to Gaal’s vision, the first Foundation also gets a chilling request from another version of Hari Seldon to find Hober Mallow.
In the books, Hober Mallow is master trader who eventually becomes the mayor of Terminus City. He is also known for putting a stop to the missionary program we meet in Foundation Season 2 Episode 2.
However, like all things in Foundation, we shouldn’t expect the show to hew super close to Asimov’s text. The Apple TV+ show uses the books as inspiration for their sci-fi epic. So far all we know about the show version of Hober Mallow is he will be played by Dimitri Leonidas.
Who is Bel Roise in Asimov’s Books? Who is Playing Bel Riose on Apple TV+’s Foundation?
Hober Mallow wasn’t the only Asimov character teased this week on Foundation. We learn that Demerzel (Laura Birn) wants Cleon (Lee Pace) to reinstate Bel Riose as leader of his fleet in the upcoming war against the Foundation.
In the books, Bel Riose is a talented Imperial general and brilliant tactician who dreams of glory. His power and popularity ironically set the stage for his eventual downfall.
The Crown Season 3 and 4 alum Ben Daniels will be playing Bel Riose in Apple TV+’s Foundation.
