The character-driven thriller will be set in the dangerous world of global corporate crisis and damage control. Davis will play elite corporate fixer Catriona Vail, who must weaponize the ruthless skills that have made her indispensable to billion-dollar clients when her estranged daughter is in danger.
John Logan (Skyfall, Penny Dreadful) created the drama. He will executive produce with Davis, Julius Tennon and Michael Aguilar. Paramount Television Studios and JuVee Productions will produce.
"I am overwhelmingly excited about this journey with the great John Logan," said Davis. "We won the lottery with this one! 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 Aguilar, and Paramount. We are ready to create magic!"
"Viola Davis doesn't just take on roles; she transforms them," said Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals, Paramount+. "Catriona Vail is an incredibly complex character and Viola is exactly the generational talent to bring her to life. With John Logan and Michael Aguilar behind the camera, Ascent is high-stakes television at its best."
