Sam Heughan to Star With Viola Davis in Paramount+ Thriller Series ‘Ascent’

“Outlander” star Sam Heughan has been cast to star opposite Viola Davis in Paramount+‘s upcoming thriller “Ascent,” set in the world of global corporate crisis and damage control.

In the series, which Davis also executive produces, Heughan will play “Conal,” described as “one of Ascent Ventures top agents. A lethally charming and natural chameleon, Conal uses social cunning and ruthlessness to get the job done, and he always gets a thrill out of completing a mission.”

As previously announced, Davis is set to play “Catriona,” who according to the series logline is “an elite corporate fixer, who must weaponize the ruthless skills that have made her indispensable to billion-dollar clients when her estranged daughter is in danger.”

Yes, there is a bit of coincidental serendipity that Heughan’s character has been paired with a “Catriona.” For eight seasons and 101 episodes of “Outlander,” Heughan starred opposite his similarly named co-star Caitriona Balfe.

“Ascent” comes from Paramount Television Studios, and was created by John Logan (“Skyfall,” “Gladiator”). Logan is showrunner and executive producer, alongside executive producers Michael Aguilar (“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels,” “The Departed”), and Viola Davis and Julius Tennon via their JuVee Productions.

Production on “Ascent” will kick off in Los Angeles in 2027, with an airdate on Paramount+ to be announced later.

As part of “Outlander,” which Heughan also produced, he received award nominations including BAFTA Scotland and Critics’ Choice. His other TV credits include “The Couple Next Door,” “Men in Kilts: A Road Trip with Sam and Graham” and the upcoming “Embassy” with J.K. Simmons and Anna Kendrick. In film, he was seen in “Love Again,” “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” “Bloodshot” and “SAS: Red Notice.”

On stage, Heughan played “Macbeth” last year at the Royal Shakespeare Company; he’s also written three New York Times bestselling books.

Heughan is repped by United Agents, UTA, Anonymous Content and Viewpoint.