As the epic journey of Outlander prepares its final chapter, leading man Sam Heughan is stepping straight into the high-octane arena of global corporate espionage and high-stakes damage control. The Scottish actor has officially secured a starring role alongside EGOT legend Viola Davis in the eagerly awaited Paramount+ thriller series Ascent.
Created by Oscar-nominated writer and producer John Logan—the mastermind behind cinematic masterpieces such as Gladiator, Skyfall, Penny Dreadful, and the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic Michael—the series is produced by Paramount Television Studios.
This high-profile casting marks another major milestone in Heughan’s evolving career following his critically acclaimed eight-season run as Jamie Fraser, a role that earned him nominations for both the BAFTA Scotland and Critics’ Choice Awards.
A Lethal Chameleon: Who Is Conal?
In Ascent, Heughan shifts away from period drama armor to play Conal, a top-tier operative working at elite firm Ascent Ventures.
The character promises to showcase a much darker, sharper side of Heughan’s acting range:
- Lethally Charming: Conal is described as a natural chameleon who effortlessly navigates elite social circles to achieve his objectives.
- Ruthless Strategist: Utilizing social cunning, intelligence, and zero hesitation, he accomplishes every task assigned to him.
- Thrill Seeker: Far from being a mere mercenary, Conal derives a genuine adrenaline rush from completing high-risk missions.
Viola Davis Takes Center Stage as an Elite Corporate Fixer
Opposite Heughan, EGOT icon Viola Davis takes on the central role of Catriona, a formidable corporate fixer operating in the shadows of billion-dollar empires.
Catriona’s world turns upside down when her estranged daughter falls into grave danger. To save her child, she is forced to turn her weaponized skills—the very ruthlessness that made her indispensable to the world’s wealthiest clients—against her enemies.
Behind the scenes, Davis is also producing the project alongside her husband Julius Tennon under their JuVee Productions banner. Joining them as executive producer is Michael Aguilar, known for his work on Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and Kidding.
Sam Heughan’s Post-‘Outlander’ Empire Begins to Rise
Ascent isn’t the only major project keeping Heughan’s schedule packed as he transitions out of his star-making role. The actor is also set to star in MGM+’s upcoming political thriller Embassy, sharing the screen with Oscar winner J.K. Simmons and Anna Kendrick.
Production for Ascent is officially slated to kick off in Los Angeles in 2027. Fans can eagerly anticipate the high-stakes corporate thriller to premiere on Paramount+ in late 2027 or early 2028.
Source: Compiled from various sources
