Foundation Season 3 Reveals The Mule's New Actor — Here's Why He Was Recast

Yes, The Mule looks different this season. Foundation season 3 premiered July 11, 2025, and the Warlord of Kalgan finally steps out of Gaal Dornick's nightmares and into the main event. If you clocked a new face under the scowl, you are not imagining it.

So who is The Mule now?

Pilou Asbaek (yep, Euron Greyjoy from Game of Thrones) is playing The Mule in season 3, taking over from Mikael Persbrandt, who portrayed the character in season 2. In case you need the refresher: The Mule is the warlord who haunted Gaal's visions, set his sights on murdering Salvor Hardin, and basically wants to bring the Foundation to its knees.

Why the recast?

Apple TV+ has not given an official reason for the swap. Asbaek addressed it in a RadioTimes.com interview, praised Persbrandt, and kept it friendly, saying the Scandinavian actors stick together and collaborate. He also admitted stepping into a character people already care about is tricky, but it is a challenge he likes — and one he has faced before on Thrones.

How Asbaek is playing him

Asbaek does not see The Mule as a mustache-twisting villain. His spin is more complicated — and a little sympathetic.

"He's got a lot of weakness. Maybe his ego is his weakness. Power corrupts - the more power you get, the more it will corrupt you... he's a product of other people's decisions, if that makes sense."

Where season 3 stands

The season is 10 episodes total. As of now, three have yet to hit Apple TV+.

• New Mule: Pilou Asbaek (Game of Thrones) in season 3
• Previous Mule: Mikael Persbrandt in season 2
• Character snapshot: Warlord of Kalgan who haunted Gaal's visions, targeted Salvor Hardin, and wants to topple the Foundation
• Recast reason: Apple TV+ has not said
• Asbaek's take: Not a pure villain; ego and power are his pitfalls; 'product of other people's decisions'
• Release status: Foundation season 3 premiered July 11, 2025; 10 episodes total; 3 still to come