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(SeaPRwire) –   A key factor contributing to the enduring appeal of For All Mankind is also its biggest gamble. While it isn’t officially structured as an anthology series, each season carries a distinct narrative feel by shifting across different decades. The alternate 2012 setting of For All Mankind Season 5 represents the most significant departure so far, largely because many of the original characters have either passed away or been replaced by new faces. However, the true strength of the show lies in these seemingly minor additions—new characters who wield considerable influence over the overall storyline. In particular, Costa Ronin and Miereille Enos, both newcomers in Season 5, are poised to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of the series.

Inverse recently spoke with Costa Ronin, who portrays Leonid Polivanov, the Soviet Governor of Mars, and Mireille Enos, who plays Celia Boyd, a local law enforcement officer on Mars. Their insights reveal that these characters are likely to remain central figures for some time. Spoilers ahead covering For All Mankind Season 5, Episodes 1-7.

In “The Sirens of Titan,” much of the tension revolves around Kelly Baldwin’s (Cynthy Wu) mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. Meanwhile, back at Happy Valley on Mars, Celia (Enos), formerly a Mars “Peacekeeper”—effectively a cop—has aligned herself with the Free Mars rebellion after uncovering corruption within her own ranks. Simultaneously, the Martian colonists have taken Leonid Polivanov (Ronin) hostage, as he was involved in the decision to automate Mars’ workforce, resulting in widespread job losses. So, is Celia the hero and Polivanov the villain? Not necessarily.

“I understand where he’s coming from,” Ronin tells Inverse. “Whether or not his perspective aligns with the show’s message, we can still grasp his motivations. That’s the core theme of this entire series.”

The current standoff on Mars lacks clear parallels or straightforward narratives. With the Titan mission now at risk due to the actions of the Martians, Celia finds herself in a difficult position. Although she is an idealist, her background as a police officer complicates her role. She may hesitate to reinstate someone like Polivanov, but she acknowledges that none of the characters fit neatly into predefined archetypes.

“Celia is just trying to stay under the radar,” Enos explains. “She didn’t set out to be a hero. She simply wants to live quietly on Mars without anyone bothering her. But her strong moral compass keeps drawing her into situations she never asked for.”

This type of complex character development is a hallmark of For All Mankind, where protagonists often resist obvious calls to action or find themselves unexpectedly thrust onto new paths. Few viewers anticipated that Kelly would end up leading the mission to Titan by Season 5, nor did they expect Margo (Wrenn Schmidt) to be imprisoned. Similarly, it’s striking how Polivanov is now collaborating with Irina Morozova (Svetlana Efremova), a former KGB and Roscosmos operative known for manipulating Margo and orchestrating key events in Season 4. Yet, with the upcoming spin-off series Star City premiering on May 29, audiences will gain fresh insight into Irina’s origins—completely reshaping her character’s backstory. No one in For All Mankind ends up exactly where they started, and even their beginnings can be surprisingly unexpected.

“I love how this show functions almost like an epic saga,” Ronin remarks. “In most films, plays, or other shows, once characters make a decision and act on it, that’s typically where the story concludes. Here, we’re fortunate enough to witness them living with the consequences of those choices—sometimes for as long as ten or twenty years down the line.”

This statement strongly suggests that despite Polivanov’s controversial status as Mars governor, his journey will continue into For All Mankind Season 6, which will take the series up to the present day—and possibly beyond. Enos notes that while she previously worked with Joel Kinnaman and was disappointed not to share screen time with him on this show, his portrayal inspired her. She is eager to see how her own character develops alongside his.

“I can’t say anything specific about Season 6 yet, but I can confirm that filming has already begun,” Enos says. “And the time jump is ten years. It’s fascinating to see where the creators decided to place Celia next. Given that humans evolve significantly over a decade, I think it’s incredible how much a character can change. Honestly, I’d love nothing more than to explore her story as deeply as possible. As long as they keep inviting me back, I’ll happily return.”

For All Mankind Season 5 is now streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes releasing every Friday. Only three episodes remain in this season. Star City debuts on May 29.