Paramount+ orders Viola Davis thriller Ascent from John Logan

Viola Davis

AB+DM Studio

Paramount+ has ordered a new thriller series Ascent, starring Viola Davis and created by John Logan, as the streamer continues to expand its slate of original scripted programming under direct-to-consumer boss Cindy Holland.

Produced by Paramount Television Studios, Ascent will start filming in LA in 2027 and premiere globally on Paramount+.

The series is set in the world of corporate crisis management and follows Catriona Vail, an elite corporate fixer who must draw on the skills that have made her indispensable to billion-dollar clients when her estranged daughter is placed in danger.

Logan (Skyfall, Gladiator, Penny Dreadful) is showrunner and will serve as executive producer alongside Michael Aguilar (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Kidding) as well as Davis and Julius Tennon for JuVee Productions, which recently inked a first-look deal with Universal Global Television.

The commission marks the latest addition to Paramount+’s scripted pipeline, following recent orders including a Clueless sequel event series starring Alicia Silverstone, Laird starring Kenneth Branagh, 9/12 starring Jeremy Strong, Fear Not starring Anne Hathaway and Discretion starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. Paramount+ also recently renewed Dutton Ranch and The Madison.