Apple TV has officially greenlit “Ascension,” a high-profile horror-thriller series featuring Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón and starring Caitríona Balfe in the lead role.
The project marks the culmination of a nearly decade-long development journey for Cuarón. He first began assembling the adaptation back in 2017, with Casey Affleck initially eyed for the lead. Inspired by author Adam Nevill’s terrifying novel Last Days, the series lands at Apple through Cuarón’s overall television deal under his Esperanto Filmoj banner, Variety reports.
Documenting the Insidious Unknown
At the center of the narrative is Rose, portrayed by Balfe. She is a sharp documentary filmmaker navigating the personal fallout of a recent divorce while attempting to raise her child. Renowned for unearthing the dark secrets of others, Rose finds her own reality unraveling when she begins investigating the Church of Ascension, an enigmatic 20th-century cult. Though initially drawn into the group’s hypnotic teachings as a source of personal solace, her deep dive quickly uncovers a far more sinister force operating beneath the surface.
High-Caliber Creative Powerhouse
The project unites a formidable brain trust of auteur filmmakers and acclaimed horror creators. Alfonso Cuarón co-wrote the series alongside his brother Carlos Cuarón, collaborating with the duo of Natalie Erika James and Christian White, the creative minds behind Relic and “Apartment 7A“. James and White take the reins as co-showrunners, with James also stepping behind the camera as the lead director. In addition to her starring role, Balfe serves as an executive producer alongside the core creative team.
Apple TV continues to release fantastic series, such as “Monarch,” and more. Learn more and tune in for regular updates here.
