It’s no secret that sci-fi fans are pretty hardcore. Take Star Wars and Doctor Who, for example, both of which have amassed millions of followers whose demand is so great they have spawned multiple spin-off series, including The Mandalorian and the highly anticipated The War Between the Land and the Sea respectively. For Lou Llobell – who had her first taste of the sci-fi genre when she landed the role of Gaal Dornick in Apple TV+’s Foundation, now in its third season – it’s been a wild ride. “There were two years between this season and the last one. That either kills an audience or it motivates them, and it really motivated ours,” she explains. 

“I went on Reddit in season one and I vowed to myself never again. I did it again this time and [could see] people were loving it. The [fans are] die-hard and trying to figure out the puzzles. It’s cool you can decipher it as you go along.” 

Llobell is clear that Foundation was her big break. Based on the novels by Isaac Asimov, the TV adaptation – “people have finally realised that the series and the books are not the same” – was her first big role out of drama school. “I’ve been acting in school plays for as long as I can remember and that led me to study at Drama Centre London but the most I’ve learnt is actually while working. The doors opened for me, I got an agent and then Foundation happened. Here I am six years in, still going strong.” 

Photographer: Pip Bourdillon. Stylist: Sarah-Rose Harrison. Make-up: Min Sandhu. Hair: Kieron Lavine

Llobell as Gaal in series three of Foundation. Image: Apple TV +

The third season premiered last month – with one episode landing every Friday until 12 September 2025 – and follows a troupe of exiles trying to save their intergalactic empire from otherworldly forces. “Gaal is a mathematical genius that comes from a repressed water planet, Synnax. It’s a very religious planet and they aren’t very open to science and maths; they shun all of that and oust people if they are believers. Season one focuses on a global-warming idea. The waters are rising and they think the Gods are going to save them. But Gaal has been reading, which she isn’t allowed to do, and discovered there’s science behind it and there’s reasons behind it.” 

Gaal signs up to work with Dr Hari Seldon on the planet of Trantor, the capital of the galactic empire and the centre of the Foundation universe. So, what can we expect from the third season? “She is super smart and emotionally intelligent but she has been thrust into this world that she never thought she’d see. In season three, you come to find her grown up, more mature and more in control. You’re always behind her, she’s the heroine and she’s always done good but now you see her making big decisions.” 

Having worked on this project for six years, Llobell was delighted to see her character transform in the latest script. “I’ve spoken to people who have said I seem older this season and I’m glad because I did that on purpose and it’s working. It would be so boring to see her three seasons in as the same person. She’s actually lived for hundreds of years; she looks like a teenager but she’s 350 years old. I think this is my favourite season yet because it’s the biggest jump for my character and it’s been fun to play more of a woman than a lost girl.”

In many ways, Llobell has evolved alongside her character. Having taken on the role when she was in her early 20s, she’s now entering her 30s, feeling more confident and assured. “I feel more confident in my job and my craft. [At first] I said yes to everything; I body doubled Tessa Thompson in Men in Black and that helped me a lot, but this was what changed my career. I feel so lucky.” 

Llobell as Gaal in series three of Foundation. Image: Apple TV +

Would she describe herself as a ‘yes’ person, then? “I came out of a long term relationship when Foundation season one was being released and I had said no to so many things that it was time for me to change that mindset. I’ve made so many more friends, travelled so much more and done more auditions – that shift in attitude really helped me.”

Splitting her time between Seville (where her dad is from), Mallorca (where her sister lives) and Peckham in London, Llobell says her childhood helped her adapt to the ever-changing nature of her industry. “I was born in Zimbabwe and when I was one, we moved to Spain and then when I was eight, we moved to South Africa. My family is very multi-cultural and widespread. I think it has helped my career because we move around a lot as actors and being able to adapt easily and quickly is one of my skills because of the way I was brought up.” 

Performing is something she says has been “inherently” in her since she was a child. “I have always really loved watching Black and Brown women in the industry, especially those that came before me. Halle Berry was an icon for me and someone I could look up to because she looked like me. When I was growing up, it was few and far between but Halle Berry [playing] Storm [in X-Men] was such an iconic thing for me as a kid. It made me think I could do that too. I know that they’re casting a new 007 movie, so my door is open,” says Llobell, laughing. 

“People like Viola Davis were in roles where it didn’t matter if they were Brown or Black but they held that space really well and paved the way for the rest of us. Even when I started, I was in a movie where there were a few Brown people like me and it was amazing to see so many of us in the same movie. Sometimes you feel like someone has already taken that people of colour (POC) spot so there’s no space for others. It’s still an issue.”

Llobell as Gaal in series three of Foundation. Image: Apple TV +

How much change has she seen during her decade in the industry? “A little bit. I just did a horror film [where] both leads are POC and the movie has nothing to do with that. It’s just circumstance and I think that’s quite cool. It is nice when it is intentional too but it’s nice to know it doesn’t have to be, and it’s more about whoever is best for the role.”

While Foundation is easily one of her most special accomplishments – “I’m really proud of it and everyone in it; they’ve done such a good job” – so is the fact that she is now financially independent. “My parents have helped me throughout my studies and I’ve never wanted to rely on them or a partner. I’ve just purchased a property and I get to travel and it’s all on my own dime. I get to do what I love most; being financially independent because I get to act,” explains Llobell. 

Having just wrapped filming as a lead in a Paramount movie alongside Melissa Leo, Llobell is looking forward to what the future brings, but is realistic about the highs and lows of being an actress. “There’s a lot of downtime. The first three months I’m thriving and if there’s another three months then I’m thinking ‘oh no’. There’s a lucky side to being on Foundation because I have, more often than not, another season to go back to which is a security not many actors have. The thing I’ve learnt the most is using that downtime to fill my cup and spend time with my friends and family.” 

So, has she got another season to go back to? “I hope so. The ending lends itself to the possibility so fingers crossed. I am excited for the rest of the season to come out; it just gets better and better.” 

Foundation is streaming now on Apple TV+. 

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