According to Deadline, Alfonso Cuarón is returning to television with “Ascension,” a new psychological horror thriller ordered by Apple TV+.
The series stars Caitríona Balfe as Rose, a recently divorced documentary filmmaker who becomes fascinated by a mysterious 20th-century cult called the Church of Ascension. Based on Adam Nevill’s novel Last Days, the series “explores evil, innocence, and the frightening lengths people will go to protect those they love.”
The project reunites Cuarón with Apple, and he will be writing the scripts alongside his brother, Carlos Cuarón, with Natalie Erika James directing the series. Balfe, meanwhile, is executive producing and making her return to television following the conclusion of Outlander.
The bigger story, though, may be Cuarón himself. “Ascension” represents a notable return for the five-time Oscar-winning filmmaker, who hasn’t directed a feature film in eight years. His last movie was “Roma,” released in 2018. His most recent directing work was actually in television, with Apple TV+’s “Disclaimer” in 2024, but “Ascension” marks another major TV project at a time when audiences have been waiting for his next film.
At one point, Cuarón was a serious contender to helm the next Bond film. Ultimately, though, Cuarón chose to step away from the running. He’s also still attached to the long-delayed film “Jane,” about Philip K. Dick and his twin sister for Amazon/MGM, starring Charlize Theron. Back in May 2025, Variety reported that “Jane” was awaiting a final draft from Jack Thorne (“Enola Holmes”).
Cuarón is the acclaimed director of “Roma,” “Y Tu Mamá También,” “Children of Men,” and “Gravity” — all four of which appeared on The New York Times’ list of the 100 Best Films of the 21st Century. Given that track record, it’s something of a loss that we haven’t seen a new feature from him in almost nine years.
The good news is that Cuarón is only writing “Ascension,” meaning he won’t be tied up with directing duties and should still have room in his schedule for a long-awaited return to cinema.
M. Night Shyamalan tells TheWrap that "Lady in the Water" is the film he most wants reappraised, calling it the closest fusion of his family-film and thriller sides.