Halle Berry is making the jump from movies to television by taking her first series starring role in the CBS science fiction drama EXTANT. Berry has long been sought after to play the lead in both network and cable series including HOMELAND and HOSTAGES, but EXTANT has the most intriguing premise of them all. The show follows an astronaut who returns home from a year-long solo mission in space and tries to reconnect with her husband and son in their everyday life. Her experiences in space and home lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.
Berry will produce the series along with executive producer Steven Spielberg. Spielberg had lots of positives to say about the Best Actress winner:
“There’s only one Halle Berry and we are incredibly honored that she has chosen Extant to expand her illustrious career,” Spielberg said. “As she does with everything she touches, she will bring a deep authenticity to her role and I very much look forward to working with her.” Added CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler, “Halle is the type of award-winning actress you dream of collaborating with for an event project such as Extant.”
It remains to be seen what the space experience exactly are. Knowing that this is coming from Amblin and Spielberg, I would assume aliens figure in somehow, but this could also just be a straight drama with science fiction undertones. Either way, I am intrigued by the project. Berry may seem like a big catch for CBS, but think back to the last big box office hit that she has had. Most recently, Berry appeared in the widely panned MOVIE 43 and the underrated Wachowski film CLOUD ATLAS. Aside from that she starred in the WWE Films flop THE CALL and next can be seen in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. Notice a trend?
EXTANT has no premiere date scheduled but expect it sometime in 2014.