Sam Heughan Joins Viola Davis in Paramount+ Thriller ‘Ascent’

WHO:

Deadline - Sam Heughan, described as the Scottish star and producer of Starz’s *Outlander*, is set to star opposite Viola Davis in *Ascent*.

Deadline - Viola Davis is described as an EGOT winner.

Variety - Sam Heughan has been cast to star opposite Viola Davis in *Ascent*.

Variety - Davis also executive produces the series.

Variety - Heughan will play Conal, described as “one of Ascent Ventures top agents” and “a lethally charming and natural chameleon.”

Deadline - John Logan created *Ascent*.

Deadline - Paramount Television Studios produces *Ascent*.

WHAT:

Deadline - *Ascent* is a Paramount+ series featuring Heughan and Davis.

Deadline - The series is billed as a thriller.

Variety - *Ascent* is an upcoming Paramount+ thriller series.

Variety - The story is set in the world of global corporate crisis and damage control.

Deadline - Heughan’s television project follows his work on Starz’s hit historical fantasy *Outlander*.

WHERE:

Deadline - *Ascent* is scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles.

WHEN:

Deadline - The series is scheduled to shoot “next year.”

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 17:15 UTC)

Sam Heughan is joining Viola Davis in *Ascent*, an upcoming thriller series for Paramount+. Davis, an EGOT winner, will also executive produce the show, which is set in the world of global corporate crisis and damage control. Heughan will play Conal, one of Ascent Ventures’ top agents, described as a lethally charming natural chameleon. The series was created by John Logan, and Paramount Television Studios is producing it. Production is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles next year. The project marks Heughan’s next television role following his work on Starz’s hit historical fantasy series *Outlander*, where he is also known as a star and producer. In *Ascent*, he’ll be paired with Davis as the story explores the high-stakes business of managing crises and protecting corporate reputations.