For All Mankind season 5 is officially in development, but with much unknown regarding the upcoming episodes, one significant character’s fate is up in the air. The Apple TV+ science fiction drama television series, created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi, chronicles an alternate version of the global space race where the Soviet Union was the first nation to put a man on the Moon instead of the United States. For All Mankind‘s timeline begins in 1969, with each subsequent season typically jumping ahead around ten years after the events of the previous finale.
For All Mankind season 4 ended with a tease of what’s to come in future episodes. The finale, released in January 2024, featured a flash-forward from 2003 to Dev Ayesa (played by Edi Gathegi) on Mars in 2012, looking up at Goldilocks, now home to the mining operation Kuznetsov Station. Consequently, For All Mankind season 5 will assumingly take place in the 2010s. However, season 5’s cast and story are (mostly) still a mystery aside from a couple of educated guesses, based on the season 4 finale and the show’s history.
As For All Mankind season 5 goes into production, one might be (understandably) worried about the fate of Ed Baldwin, played by Joel Kinnaman. Ed has been one of the Apple TV+ science fiction series’ main characters since its season 1 premiere, making him an integral part of the show. But there’s no denying that Ed is getting older — the astronaut was 72 years old during season 4 and will be 81 in season 5 (if he is still alive in 2012). Kinnaman’s character was even experiencing health issues throughout season 4, so, his fate in future episodes is grim.
Unfortunately, Apple TV+ has not confirmed the return of any cast members for season 5 of For All Mankind. Edi Gathegi’s return as Dev is almost guaranteed, though, given that he was seen in 2012 during the season 4 finale. However, For All Mankind characters like Ed and Dani Poole (portrayed by Krys Marshall) may not be a part of season 5’s story. It’s not out of the realm of possibility, but the writers will more likely introduce a flock of new characters in the upcoming episodes.
Given that Joel Kinnaman’s Ed Baldwin has played a significant role in For All Mankind since its premiere, the character’s death in season 5 would be devastating. Nevertheless, Ed’s age and hand tremors imply his working days in Happy Valley are over, and the writers can either force Ed into retirement or kill him off. Only time will tell what For All Mankind season 5 has in store for Ed, but it would be a fitting end for Kinnaman’s character to die peacefully in space.