Oscar Winner Amy Madigan Joins Viola Davis in Paramount+ Thriller 'Ascent'

Oscar winner Amy Madigan has joined the cast of Paramount+'s upcoming drama thriller "Ascent," opposite previously announced star and executive producer Viola Davis and co-star Sam Heughan.

The streamer announced the casting. Production is set to begin in Los Angeles in 2027.

Who does Madigan play?

Madigan will play "Rachel," described by the streamer as "a former executive at Ascent Ventures and Catriona's (Davis) lifelong mentor."

The role reunites Madigan with "Ascent" creator John Logan. She previously appeared in Logan's series "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels."

What is 'Ascent' about?

The series is set in the world of global corporate crisis and damage control. According to the streamer's description:

• Davis plays "Catrionr, an elite corporate fixer, who must weaponize the ruthless skills that have made her indispensable to billion-dollar clients when her estranged daughter is in danger"
• Heughan plays "Conal," a top Ascent Ventures agent

Paramount Television Studios produces the series. Logan ("Skyfall," "Gladiator") created it and serves as showrunner and executive producer. Michael Aguilar ("Penny Dreadful: City of Angels") also executive produces, alongside Davis and Julius Tennon for JuVee Productions.

What has Madigan won?

Madigan recently won the best supporting actress Oscar for playing "Aunt Gladys" in "Weapons."

Her film credits span four decades: "Field of Dreams," "Twice in a Lifetime," "Gone Baby Gone," "Uncle Buck," "Places in the Heart" and "Streets of Fire." On television, she won the Golden Globe and earned an Emmy nomination for "Roe Vs. Wade," with additional roles in "Fringe," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Laramie Project" and "Carnivale."

What comes next for Madigan?

Her upcoming projects include:

• "Sponsor," a film with Jason Segal and John C. Reilly
• The limited series "All the Sinners Bleed"
• Ryan Coogler's "X-Files" reboot

Madigan is repped by Paradigm and Anonymous Content.

With a freshly minted Oscar winner joining an Academy Award-winning lead and a showrunner behind two billion-dollar film franchises, "Ascent" positions itself as one of Paramount+'s highest-profile drama bets heading into its 2027 production start.