Sam Heughan Joins Viola Davis in Paramount+ Thriller ‘Ascent,’ and His New Character Sounds Dangerous

Sam Heughan is trading the Scottish Highlands for the ruthless world of corporate power, and something tells us his new character won't be nearly as honorable as Jamie Fraser. The Outlander star has officially joined Viola Davis in Ascent, an upcoming Paramount+ thriller that promises dangerous secrets, high-stakes missions, and people who probably shouldn't be trusted.

Heughan will star opposite Davis in the series, which comes from Penny Dreadful creator John Logan. And judging by the description of his character, Heughan is stepping into a role that could be deliciously dangerous.

Who Is Sam Heughan Playing in Ascent?

Heughan will portray Conal, one of the top agents working for Ascent Ventures. Described as charming but ruthless, Conal knows how to manipulate situations and people to get exactly what he wants. He's also someone who genuinely enjoys the thrill of completing a dangerous assignment.

So, essentially, we're getting Sam Heughan with questionable morals, a talent for deception, and absolutely no indication that he's interested in playing by the rules. After years of watching him portray the fiercely loyal Jamie Fraser, seeing him embrace a potentially more morally complicated character could be a welcome change.

Viola Davis Leads a Dangerous New World

Davis stars as Catriona Vail, an elite corporate fixer whose reputation has been built on making enormous problems disappear for powerful, billion-dollar clients. But when her estranged daughter finds herself in danger, Catriona must use those same ruthless skills to protect her own family.

And if we've learned anything from watching Viola Davis dominate television, it's that she knows how to make a powerful, complicated woman absolutely fascinating. Whether Catriona turns out to be someone worth rooting for or someone we're occasionally terrified of remains to be seen.

The series is created by John Logan, whose credits include Skyfall, Gladiator, and Penny Dreadful. Logan will also serve as showrunner and executive producer alongside Michael Aguilar, while Davis and Julius Tennon executive produce through JuVee Productions.

When Will Ascent Premiere on Paramount+?

Production on Ascent is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in 2027, although Paramount+ has not announced a premiere date. For Heughan, the project marks another major television role following his long-running portrayal of Jamie Fraser on Outlander, which concluded its eighth and final season earlier this year. Now, with Heughan joining Davis in a thriller involving corporate manipulation, dangerous assignments, and a mother willing to do whatever it takes to protect her daughter, Ascent is already shaping up to be one worth keeping an eye on.

And let's be serious, if Viola Davis and Sam Heughan are going to be facing off against dangerous people, we have a feeling those dangerous people should be the ones worried.