Extant canceled, CBS developing new Halle Berry project

CBS has canceled Extant after two seasons, EW has confirmed. The network will instead develop a new legal drama executive-produced by Halle Berry.

“CBS, Halle Berry and the producers have decided to conclude the Extant story after last season’s exciting and fitting conclusion,” CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller said. “Extant played an important role in expanding CBS’ lineup of original scripted programming in the summer. We are proud of the show’s success on the network, as well as its popularity on Amazon Prime Video. We also want to thank the incomparable Halle Berry for her commitment and support for the series, and look forward to working with her on our next project together.”

Extant, which starred Berry as an astronaut who returns to earth carrying an alien offspring, debuted in July 2014 to 9.58 million viewers, but swiftly lost most of its audience, ending the season with 5.45 million viewers. The drama then went through a major overhaul going into its second season, dumping a few original characters, including Camryn Manheim and Goran Visnjic, while adding Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Still, the ratings dropped further, with its now-series finale attracting just 4.51 million viewers.

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“I am so proud of what we accomplished on Extant,” said Berry. “This season seemed such a natural place to end Molly’s journey that I, along with CBS, felt it best served the story to leave it there. I’ve loved this experience working with such a talented cast and creative team. ‎It was my first foray into episodic television, and I’m excited to continue my relationship with CBS, producing more compelling stories through my 606 Films production banner.”

Berry’s new project is called Legalease, which follows a biracial lawyer from Chicago follows a case to New Orleans, where she finds herself partnering with a good ol’ boy white attorney while working in a very particular justice system that will ultimately expose the biases we all harbor. Steven Lichtman will write and executive-produce with Berry, Dan Thomas and Elain Goldsmith-Thomas.

The news comes on the heels of the network axing Under the Dome after three seasons, while renewing freshman drama Zoo, which is expected to return in summer 2016 alongside new CBS drama BrainDead.