Paramount+ has announced Ascent, a new original thriller starring EGOT-winning Viola Davis. The series comes from creator and showrunner John Logan, and is produced by Paramount Television Studios.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Production is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in 2027, and the series is set to premiere globally on Paramount+.
What is Ascent about?
Ascent is an original thriller series set in the world of global corporate crisis and damage control.
Viola Davis stars as Catriona Vail, an elite corporate fixer whose clients include billion-dollar companies. When her estranged daughter is placed in danger, Vail must use the skills that built her career to protect her family.
Who is behind Ascent?
TonyⓇ Award winner and three-time OscarⓇ nominee John Logan created the series, and will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Logan’s previous credits include Skyfall, Gladiator, Michael, and Penny Dreadful. Logan earned a Tony® Award for Best Play in 2010 for his drama, Red.
Michael Aguilar also executive produces. His previous credits include Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Kidding, and The Departed.
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon executive produce the project through JuVee Productions.
Ascent is produced by Paramount Television Studios.
What did Viola Davis say about the series?
Viola Davis says she’s looking forward to working with John Logan on Ascent.
“I am overwhelmingly excited about this journey with the great John Logan. We won the lottery with this one!” Davis said. “Work in which both story and character are bold, awe inspiring and deeply unique is why I became an artist. We at JuVee are deeply grateful to John Logan, Michael Aquilar, and Paramount. We are ready to create magic!“
A multi-hyphenate talent, Davis is one of only 28 EGOT winners. She received an Oscar® for best supporting actress for the film adaptation of Fences, an Emmy® award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for How to Get Away with Murder, a GRAMMY® award for the narration of her memoir, Finding Me, and two Tony Awards®: one for Best Featured Actress in King Hedley II, and another for Best Actress in a Play for Fences.
What did Paramount+ say?
In announcing Ascent, Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+, said Viola Davis was the right choice to play Catriona Vail.
“Viola Davis doesn’t just take on roles; she transforms them. Catriona Vail is an incredibly complex character and Viola is exactly the generational talent to bring her to life,” Wiseman said. “With John Logan and Michael Aguilar behind the camera, Ascent is high-stakes television at its best.”
Matt Thunell, President of Paramount Television Studios, said the studio looks forward to bringing the series to production in Los Angeles.
When will Ascent premiere?
Paramount+ has not announced a premiere date for Ascent.
Production is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles next year, and the series is expected to premiere globally on Paramount+.
