Halle Berry to star in CBS summer series

Halle Berry, who hasn't done much in the way of serial TV since (at least) 1991, when she had a recurring role in "Knots Landing," will headline a CBS summer 2014 series entitled "Extant."

 All of which suggests CBS has suddenly gotten very serious about opportunities in summer television. This comes from Steven Spielberg's Amblin. Berry, by the way, has been nomiated twice for a Primetime Emmy (in a movie or miniseires) and won for 1999's "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge." 

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.

 The quotes...

“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 Entertainment. “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 [mix] of...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.”