Apple TV+ is doubling down on horror, and its next big swing just got a whole lot more intriguing. Ascension, the upcoming series starring Caitriona Balfe (best known for Outlander), has officially added Bill Nighy to its cast. The British acting legend, famous for his role as Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, will join Balfe in an as-yet-undisclosed role.
The project comes from the mind of Alfonso Cuarón, the four-time Academy Award-winning director behind Gravity and Roma. Based on Adam Nevill's novel Last Days, Ascension promises to be a chilling addition to Apple's growing horror slate. The streamer has already found success in the genre with Widow's Bay, a horror-comedy that swept this year's Primetime Emmys with 14 wins, including Outstanding Comedy Series.
According to the official logline, Ascension follows Rose, a documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother who excels at uncovering others' secrets but struggles with her own. When she starts investigating a mysterious 20th-century cult called the Church of Ascension, she finds unexpected solace in its teachings—until she discovers something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.
Balfe's casting was announced earlier this year, and now Nighy's addition adds another layer of prestige. The actor, who also recently joined Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 2, brings decades of experience and a distinctive screen presence. His role in Ascension remains under wraps, but fans are already speculating about what kind of character he might play in this eerie narrative.
Before diving into Ascension, Balfe is currently promoting her latest film, Sense and Sensibility, a fresh adaptation of Jane Austen's first novel. Directed by Georgia Oakley, the movie also stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as the Dashwood sisters. The film has earned nearly $30 million at the global box office so far.
With Cuarón at the helm and a cast that includes both Balfe and Nighy, Ascension is shaping up to be one of Apple TV+'s most anticipated releases. The series is expected to premiere sometime in the near future, though no official date has been announced yet. For now, horror fans and drama lovers alike have plenty to look forward to.
Stay tuned for more updates on Ascension and other exciting projects coming to Apple TV+.
