Amanda Plummer, Christopher Chung and T’Nia Miller Join ‘Ascension’

By Elena Vasquez

Who joins the cast?

Three actors have joined the upcoming Apple TV series “Ascension” as new series regulars. Variety names Amanda Plummer, Christopher Chung and T’Nia Miller.

• Variety identifies Plummer’s credits as “Run” and “Butterfly Kiss.” She is represented by Artists Agency in LA, RED Management, and Markham, Froggert, Irwin in London.
• Variety cites “Slow Horses” and “My Brilliant Career” among Chung’s credits. The Artists Partnership and Link Entertainment represent him.
• T’Nia Miller’s credits include “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and “VisionQuest,” Variety reports. Identity Agency and Yorn Levine Barnes represent Miller.

Plummer has three representation credits, Chung two and Miller two. Variety says exact character details for all three remain under wraps. Caitríona Balfe leads the cast. Bill Nighy was also recently announced as a star.

In short, the cast now includes Balfe, Nighy and three new regulars.

What is “Ascension” about?

Variety says “Ascension” is inspired by the novel “Last Days” by Adam Nevill. Its central figure is Rose, played by Balfe, a documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother.

Variety quotes the series logline:

“a relentless documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother, brilliant at uncovering others’ truths but struggling to resolve her own. When Rose begins a project on a mysterious 20th-century cult known as the Church of Ascension, she finds unexpected refuge in its teachings – until she discovers something far more insidious beneath.”

The logline makes Rose’s investigation personal as well as professional. She can uncover others’ truths, yet struggles with her own while investigating a cult with something more insidious beneath.

In plain terms, Rose’s investigation starts with the cult’s teachings and reaches what lies beneath them.

Who writes and directs it?

Four people co-wrote “Ascension,” according to Variety. Alfonso Cuarón co-wrote it with his brother Carlos Cuarón, Natalie Erika James and Christian White, and all four will executive produce.

James and White will serve as co-showrunners. James will also serve as lead director. Balfe will executive produce in addition to starring.

In short, James leads the directing, while James and White share showrunning duties.

Who produces it?

Anonymous Content will produce “Ascension,” with Apple Studios serving as the studio, according to Variety. Alfonso Cuarón will executive produce under Esperanto Filmoj, the banner with an overall television deal with Apple.

Esperanto Filmoj’s Gabriela Rodriguez and Richard Schwartz will also executive produce. Steve Golin, David Levine and Zack Hayden will executive produce for Anonymous Content.

Across the credits Variety lists, ten people are named as executive producers. That total includes the four co-writers, Balfe, Rodriguez, Schwartz, Golin, Levine and Hayden.

In plain terms, Anonymous Content produces the show, and Apple Studios is the studio. When character details emerge, audiences will judge whether Plummer, Chung and Miller deepen or redirect Rose’s investigation into the Church of Ascension.