'Outlander' star Sam Heughan teams up with Viola Davis for 'Ascent'

Sam Heughan joins Viola Davis in Paramount+ thriller Ascent, with production set to begin in Los Angeles in 2027

Outlander star Sam Heughan has joined Viola Davis in Ascent, an upcoming thriller series for Paramount+ set in the world of corporate crisis management and damage control.

Heughan will play Conal, one of the top agents at Ascent Ventures. According to the character description, Conal is a charming and adaptable operative who uses social intelligence and ruthlessness to complete his missions.

Davis will star as Catriona, an elite corporate fixer whose professional skills are put to the test when her estranged daughter faces danger. The character must use the same ruthless tactics that have made her indispensable to powerful corporate clients to protect her family.

The series was created by John Logan, whose writing credits include Skyfall and Gladiator. Logan will serve as showrunner and executive producer, alongside Michael Aguilar and Davis, who will executive produce through her production company, JuVee Productions, with Julius Tennon.

Ascent is produced by Paramount Television Studios. Production is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in 2027, although Paramount+ has not announced a release date.

Heughan is best known for playing Jamie Fraser in the historical drama Outlander, in which he starred opposite Caitríona Balfe for eight seasons and 101 episodes. His television credits also include The Couple Next Door and Men in Kilts: A Road Trip with Sam and Graham. He is also set to appear in the upcoming series Embassy, alongside J.K. Simmons and Anna Kendrick.

His film credits include Love Again, The Spy Who Dumped Me, Bloodshot and SAS: Red Notice. Heughan has also appeared on stage as Macbeth with the Royal Shakespeare Company and written three New York Times bestselling books.