CBS has ordered another Steven Spielberg production for summer 2014. On Wednesday afternoon, the network gave Extant a straight-to-series order, hot off Spielberg’s success Under The Dome this summer.
Extant will run for 13 episodes and is a futuristic thriller centering on a female astronaut who struggles at getting back with her family after a year in space. Her experiences changed the direction of human history.
The series was conceived by new writer Mickey Fisher and will be co-produced by Spielberg’s Amblin TV and CBS TV Productions. Spielberg will have his name attached as executive producer. Fisher, Greg Walker, Brooklyn Weaver, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank will also executive produce.
Nina Tassler, President of CBS Entertainment, called Extant “a very original concept with layers of humanity, mystery and surprise that reveal itself throughout the script” in a statement. She added, “Our partnership with Amblin for Under The Dome showed that viewers respond to high-quality event programming in the summer. We look forward to building on that with Extant and offering CBS audiences another high-concept, unique event for summer television.”
Under The Dome, based on Stephen King’s novel, was originally conceived as a mini-series, but has been such a success that it earned a second season last week.
Spielberg has shown increased interest in television and recently dropped out of directing Bradley Cooper in American Sniper.
Casting for Extant was not announced.
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