Apple TV is heading into psychological horror with ‘Ascension’, a new one-hour thriller from Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, starring Caitríona Balfe (Outlander, Belfast) as a documentary filmmaker who finds herself digging into the disturbing history of a mysterious cult.
Inspired by Adam Nevill’s novel Last Days, the series follows Rose, a relentless documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother who is brilliant at uncovering other people’s truths, but struggling to resolve her own.
When Rose begins working on a project about a mysterious 20th-century cult known as the Church of Ascension, she unexpectedly finds some refuge in its teachings. Unfortunately, this is a psychological horror thriller rather than a relaxing spiritual retreat, and she soon discovers something far more insidious hiding beneath the surface.
The drama explores evil, innocence, family and sacrifice, asking just how far someone might go to protect the people they love, particularly when they themselves may be part of the danger.
‘Ascension’ is co-showrun by Natalie Erika James (Apartment 7A, Relic) and Christian White (Apartment 7A, Relic), with James also serving as lead director. The series is written by James, White, Alfonso Cuarón and Carlos Cuarón.
Cuarón executive produces through his Esperanto Filmoj production company alongside Gabriela Rodriguez, Richard Schwartz and Carlos Cuarón. Steve Golin, David Levine and Zack Hayden executive produce for Anonymous Content, while James, White and Balfe also serve as executive producers. Apple Studios is behind the series.
The project reunites Cuarón, Anonymous Content and Apple following limited series ‘Disclaimer’, and marks Balfe’s second project with Apple. She is also set to appear in the upcoming Apple Original Film Tenzing.
Cuarón is, of course, no stranger to unsettling stories, having previously directed films including Children of Men and Gravity, alongside his work on Disclaimer. Pairing him with the team behind Relic and Apartment 7A, then throwing a suspicious cult into the mix, certainly sounds like a promising combination for something suitably creepy.
Apple TV has not yet announced a premiere date for ‘Ascension’. If I want to keep track of this or any other shows, I can add them via our Never Miss system, and I’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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