HALLE BERRY TEAMS UP WITH STEVEN SPIELBERG FOR 'EXTANT'

Halle Berry is returning to television. The Academy Award-winner, who previously turned down leading roles in 'Homeland' and 'Hostages', has signed on for the lead role in the forthcoming CBS drama series 'Extant', which has received a straight-to-series order from the network to be broadcast in the summer of 2014.

In the serialized series, which she will executive produce with Steven Spielberg, Berry will play "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."

Academy Award winner Halle Berry will star in EXTANT, a serialized drama from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and CBS Television Studios. In August, the CBS Television Network announced a straight-to-series order for EXTANT, to be broadcast in summer 2014.

In a thrilling drama, Berry will play 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.

“There's only one Halle Berry and we are incredibly honored that she has chosen EXTANT to expand her illustrious career,” said Steven Spielberg. “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.”

“Halle is the type of award-winning actress you dream of collaborating with for an event project such as EXTANT,” said Nina Tassler, President, CBS. “Her talent and ability to immerse herself into every performance has created memorable roles that have resonated with audiences everywhere. It’s a big coup for CBS to have Halle star in her first television series, especially with such an exciting original concept and a role layered with mystery and humanity.”

“I'm always on the lookout for amazing roles and when you see material that contains this strong of auspices, nuance and complexity it compels me to run toward it no matter the medium. For five months a year I'll get to live with and play this incredibly intelligent and vulnerable woman, and for the remainder of the year I'll continue to look for other roles that move me as deeply as this one,” said Halle Berry. “I've found amazing partners in CBS's Nina Tassler and Les Moonves, and the incredible Steven Spielberg, along with his Amblin production team, whose vision and creativity in storytelling is unparalleled.”

In addition, Berry and her producing partner, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, have entered into a two-year, first look production deal with CBS Television Studios.

Berry won an Oscar in 2002 for her starring role in “Monster’s Ball.” Her additional feature film credits include playing Storm in the “X-Men” franchise, including the seventh installment, “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” to be released in 2014 and she also starred in the James Bond film “Die Another Day,” as Jinx. Berry started this year starring in the successful feature film thriller, “The Call”. Berry’s successes on television include her critically acclaimed and award winning role in HBO’s movie, “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” which earned her an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award and her critically praised performance starring in the Oprah Winfrey produced "Their Eyes Were Watching God," which earned her Emmy and Golden Globenominations.

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 co-executive producer. The series will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and worldwide by CBS Studios International. Berry is repped by Vincent Cirrincione and CAA. [Source]