Spielberg sci-fi set for CBS

CBS has given a straight-to-series order to Extant, a new sci-fi drama from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television.

The futuristic thriller series, set for summer 2014, will follow a female astronaut trying to reconnect with her family after a year in outer space.

It follows the success of this year’s Amblin/CBS miniseries Under the Dome, which has scored excellent ratings during the traditionally quiet summer season.

Amblin will coproduce Extant with CBS Television Studios. CBS Television Distribution gets domestic distribution rights, while CBS Studios International will shop it to the global market.

Spielberg executive produces along with Mickey Fisher, who wrote the script, Greg Walker, Brooklyn Weaver, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank.

“Extant is a very original concept with layers of humanity, mystery and surprise that reveal itself throughout the script,” said Nina Tassler, president, CBS Entertainment.

“Our partnership with Amblin for Under the Dome showed that viewers respond to high-quality event programming in the summer. We look forward to building on that with Extant and offering CBS audiences another high-concept, unique event for summer television.”