Latest Extant casting gives clue to plot as Grace Gummer joins summer series

There has been a fair amount of secrecy surrounding the upcoming Halle Berry-starring CBS series "Extant" but this is what we know so far: the serialized drama will follow an astronaut (Berry) who has returned to her family after a year in space who soon experiences events that could change the course of human history. Now TV Guide has announced another name to the ever-growing cast list, and this time it comes with a character description that gives us an idea of what direction "Extant" may be going in.

We've recently learned that Camryn Manheim and Goran Visnjic had signed on for the summer series and now TV Guide is reporting that "The Newsroom" actress Grace Gummer has joined the cast of "Extant", set to play…

Julie, one of John's (Goran Visnjic) partners in building robot prototypes like Ethan, John and Molly's (Halle Berry) son.

Robot prototypes, huh? Well, it's something to go on for now as we still don't know much about "Extant", but that was certainly unexpected.

"Extant" is a co-production of CBS Television Studios and Amblin Television. Steven Spielberg, Greg Walker, Mickey Fisher, who wrote the script, Brooklyn Weaver, Justin Falvey, and Darryl Frank will serve as executive producers. Halle Berry will serve as a co-executive producer. The series will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and worldwide by CBS Studios International.

"Extant", starring Academy Award winner Halle Berry, premieres Wednesday, July 2 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT).

"Extant" is a mystery thriller about a female astronaut trying to reconnect with her family when she returns after a year in outer space. Her experiences lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.