Apple TV has greenlighted Ascension, a new drama from Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón (Disclaimer, Roma). Caitríona Balfe, in her return to television after the end of Outlander, is starring and executive producing.
Ascension will be co-showrun by Natalie Erika James and Christian White (Apartment 7A, Relic). It is written by James, White, Alfonso Cuarón and Carlos Cuarón, with James serving as lead director. The project hails from Apple Studios and stems from Cuarón’s overall deal with Apple, with Anonymous Content also producing.
Inspired by the novel Last Days by Adam Nevill, Ascension explores evil and innocence at the highest level, while asking how far we’ll go – and what we’ll sacrifice – to protect the ones we love, even when the greatest threat to them may be ourselves.
The one-hour psychological horror thriller follows Rose (Balfe), a relentless documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother, brilliant at uncovering others’ truths but struggling to resolve her own. When Rose begins a project on a mysterious 20th-century cult known as the Church of Ascension, she finds unexpected refuge in its teachings – until she discovers something far more insidious beneath.
Alfonso Cuarón executive produces via his Esperanto Filmoj alongside the company’s Gabriela Rodriguez and Richard Schwartz as well as Carlos Cuarón. Steve Golin, David Levine and Zack Hayden executive produce for Anonymous Content. James and White also serve as executive producers.
Buzz about Ascension‘s series order began circulating a year ago. Since then, the project explored casting of the lead role, with a handful of high-profile actresses rumored for it. With Balfe and co-showrunner James and White on board, the drama was officially picked up.
Ascension marks Cuarón and Anonymous Content’s followup to the Apple TV limited series Disclaimer, which received Emmy, Golden Globes, SAG and Critics Choice Award nominations for stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. It also reunites Apple with Balfe, who next appears in the streamer’s film Tenzing. Anonymous Content also produces the upcoming Apple series Neuromancer and 12 12 12.
Balfe is known for playing the female lead Claire on Starz’s long-running drama series Outlander. She will also next be seen in the movies Sense and Sensibility, A Long Winter and The Housekeeper.
