Apple TV has given a straight-to-series order to “Ascension,” a new psychological horror thriller from Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón, with “Outlander” star Caitríona Balfe attached to lead and executive produce, according to Apple TV’s own announcement Monday.
The one-hour series is inspired by Adam Nevill’s novel “Last Days” and centers on Rose, a documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother skilled at exposing other people’s secrets while struggling to face her own. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Rose sets out to make a film about a mysterious 20th-century group called the Church of Ascension, and initially finds unexpected comfort in its teachings before uncovering something far darker underneath.
Cuarón, whose credits include “Roma,” “Gravity,” “Children of Men” and last year’s Apple limited series “Disclaimer,” is writing the show alongside his brother Carlos Cuarón and “Apartment 7A” collaborators Natalie Erika James and Christian White, who are also co-showrunning. James will additionally direct the series. The project comes out of Cuarón’s overall deal with Apple through his production company Esperanto Filmoj, with Anonymous Content also producing.
This isn’t a new idea for Cuarón. Variety notes he’s been developing “Ascension” for years, with the project first surfacing publicly back in 2017, when Casey Affleck was originally attached to star before the show found its current shape.
For Balfe, the role marks a return to series television following the end of “Outlander” earlier this year after eight seasons on Starz. Just Jared notes the casting comes after a lengthy search that reportedly included several high-profile actresses under consideration for the lead before Balfe was confirmed. She’s also set to star in Apple’s upcoming feature film “Tenzing.”
The series marks Cuarón and Anonymous Content’s second collaboration with Apple following “Disclaimer,” the Cate Blanchett-led limited series that picked up Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and Critics Choice nominations. TheWrap reports that alongside the Cuarón brothers, Balfe, James and White, the executive producing team includes Esperanto Filmoj’s Gabriela Rodriguez and Richard Schwartz and Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin, David Levine and Zack Hayden.
No premiere date or episode count has been announced for “Ascension” as of Monday’s order.
