When you think of Steven Spielberg's science fiction pedigree, titles like E.T., Close Encounters, and Minority Report likely spring to mind. But tucked away in his producing credits is a lesser-known gem: Extant, a two-season series that paired the legendary filmmaker with Oscar winner Halle Berry. Now streaming on Paramount+, this ambitious show deserves a second look from genre fans.
Premiering in 2014 on CBS, Extant was designed as a prestige event, and it certainly looked the part. Berry plays Molly Woods, an astronaut returning from a 13-month solo mission aboard the spacecraft Seraphim. The twist? She discovers she's pregnant—despite being infertile. To make matters stranger, she and her husband John (Goran Višnjić) had built a synthetic son named Ethan (Pierce Gagnon) to fill the void. Molly's quest to unravel the mystery of her impossible pregnancy leads her down a path that blends psychological dread with cosmic wonder.
The show's first season is often described as Rosemary's Baby meets Interstellar, and that comparison isn't far off. There's a creeping sense of paranoia as Molly grapples with the entity inside her, referred to ominously as "the Offspring." Meanwhile, Ethan's storyline explores what it means to be human, as he struggles with jealousy and identity. The cast is a who's who of talent, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a grizzled bounty hunter and Hiroyuki Sanada as a ruthless corporate villain.
Season 2, however, takes a sharp turn. The slow-burn mystery gives way to high-octane action, reminiscent of Spielberg's Minority Report or even I, Robot. Molly transforms from a bewildered scientist into a full-blown action hero, racing against time to contain the threat she brought back to Earth. It's a jarring shift, but one that showcases Berry's versatility and keeps the momentum going.
Why did Extant fade into obscurity? Ratings were a constant struggle for CBS, despite the star power attached. The network ultimately pulled the plug after just 26 episodes. But like many underappreciated shows, it found a second life on streaming. After a stint on Netflix, both seasons are now available on Paramount+, where a new generation of viewers can discover its unique blend of sci-fi and horror.
Berry's involvement in space-based sci-fi didn't end with Extant. She was attached to star in The Mothership, a Netflix film about a woman searching for her husband across the galaxy. Unfortunately, that project was shelved due to production woes, as Netflix's chief content officer Bela Bajaria explained: "There were just a lot of issues during production and stuff, creatively, so everybody just felt like it was the right thing to not do it." Berry later moved on to Roland Emmerich's Moonfall, while Spielberg continued producing sci-fi hits like Resident Alien and Halo.
For fans of cerebral sci-fi with a dash of horror, Extant is a hidden treasure. Its high-concept premise, strong performances, and Spielberg's signature touch make it a must-watch. Whether you're a Halle Berry completist or just looking for something off the beaten path, this series is worth your time. And if you're in the mood for more underrated gems, check out our list of forgotten video games that aged well or dive into Ridley Scott's chilling historical horror.
