Halle Berry cast to play astronaut in new Steven Spielberg TV series 'Extant'

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Halle Berry had quite an eventful weekend – she welcomed her second child on Sunday just days after news reports announced her return to the small screen.

CBS revealed that the Oscar winner will be starring in her first scripted series on TV for Steven Spielberg’s futuristic drama Extant.

Berry will play an astronaut who returns home and tries to reconnect with her family after a year-long mission in outer space.

But it is soon learned that her solo adventures away from Earth will have a deep impact on humanity and change the course of history.

The network has signed a two-year first-look production deal with the show’s makers and the series has been slated for a 13-episode run in a straight-to-series order.

“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,” Berry said in a statement. “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.”

“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,” she added.

In response, Spielberg also shared his thoughts:

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

The 47-year-old actress has appeared in other TV roles in the past – she won an Emmy, Golden Globe and a SAG Award for her role on in HBO’s Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and was nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her performance in Oprah Winfrey’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. 

Extant is scheduled to air summer 2014.

How do you think Berry will perform in this role? Tell us below.

Follow Lilly Workneh on Twitter @Lilly_Works