Since CBS has been heavily promoting Halle Berry?s new sci-fi drama ?Extant,? I?m eager to see what it?s all about.

In ?Extant,? which debuts July 9 at 9 p.m. (ET) on CBS, Berry plays an astronaut who returns home from a year-long solo mission in space and tries to reconnect with her husband and son in their everyday life.

Her experiences in space and home lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.

"There's only one Halle Berry and we are incredibly honored that she has chosen ?Extant? to expand her illustrious career," said Steven Spielberg who along with Berry is one of the show?s executive producers. ?As she does with everything she touches, she will bring a deep authenticity to her role and I very much look forward to working with her."

"Halle is the type of award-winning actress you dream of collaborating with for an event project such as ?Extant? " said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment." Her talent and ability to immerse herself into every performance has created memorable roles that have resonated with audiences everywhere. It's a big coup for CBS to have Halle star in her first television series, especially with such an exciting original concept and a role layered with mystery and humanity."

"I'm always on the lookout for amazing roles and when you see material that contains this strong of auspices, nuance and complexity it compels me to run toward it no matter the medium. For five months a year I'll get to live with and play this incredibly intelligent and vulnerable woman, and for the remainder of the year I'll continue to look for other roles that move me as deeply as this one," said Berry. "I've found amazing partners in CBS's Nina Tassler and Les Moonves, and the incredible Steven Spielberg, along with his Amblin production team, whose vision and creativity in storytelling is unparalleled."

In addition to ?Extant,? Berry and her producing partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, have entered into a two-year, first look production deal with CBS Television Studios.

Berry won an Oscar in 2002 for her starring role in "Monster's Ball." Her additional feature film credits include playing Storm in the "X-Men" franchise, including the seventh installment, "X-Men: Days of Future Past.? Berry also starred in the James Bond film "Die another Day," as Jinx.
Berry started this year starring in the successful feature film thriller, "The Call," for Sony/Screen Gems. Berry's successes on television include her critically acclaimed and award winning role in HBO's movie, "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," which earned her an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award.

Her critically praised performance in the Oprah Winfrey produced "Their Eyes Were Watching God," earned her both an Emmy and Golden Globe Award nomination.

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Camryn Manheim has also been cast as a series regular in ?Extant.? Manheim will play Sam Barton, Molly's (Halle Berry) best friend and closest confidant.

Manheim's credits include ?Person of Interest? and "Ghost Whisperer," both on the Network, as well as "The Practice" and "Ally McBeal."

?Extant? is a co-production of CBS Television Studios and Amblin Television. Steven Spielberg, Greg Walker, Mickey Fisher, wrote the script and Brooklyn Weaver, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank will serve as executive producers. The series will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and worldwide by CBS Studios International.

Editor?s Note: Some information used in this report obtained from publicity department press release.