Berry launches into new era
For at least an hour, one of the biggest stars on the planetwas the center of attention at the premiere of CBS’ science fiction drama “Extant” at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.
Hundreds of invited guests sampling appetizers and wine inside the center’s Samuel Oschin Pavilion seemed awe-struck last month as the pavilion’s permanent exhibit, the Space Shuttle Endeavor, loomed above them like a weathered behemoth, giving the event a heightened atmosphere.
But even the grandeur of the five-story-high Endeavor paled whenHalle Berry finally appeared. Clutching the hand of her husband, French actor OlivierMartinez, and trailed by an entourage of friends and colleagues, Berry, decked out in a luminous dress, moved through the throng with the assurance and grace that has landed her in the top ranks ofHollywood’s glamorous actresses.
Fewlooking onwould have imagined that beneath her apparent calm shewas a mass of bubbling anxiety at this crucial juncture in her career.
“Iwas more nervous at that premiere than I’ve ever been at any other premiere inmy life,” Berry recalled recently.
Sitting in her trailer a few weeks later at the Culver Studios lot in Culver City, Calif., shewas noticeably more relaxed, though she admitted to being nervous about the launch of CBS’ high-stakes entry into TV’s highly competitive summer season, which used to be relegated to reruns and second-tier reality shows. Broadcast networks, unwilling to cede theTVlandscape to new fare on cable, are nowenticing viewers with prestige projects featuringA-list talent.
“Extant,” which premieres at 8 p.m. today, certainly qualifies. The futuristic drama stars Berry as astronautMollyWoods, whose life is turned upside downwhen she returns home froma yearlong solo mission to discover she is inexplicably pregnant. It pairs the 47-year-old Berry’s cover-girl beauty and Oscar cred with the blockbuster pedigree of executive producer Steven Spielberg.
Like “E.T.,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “A.I.” and other Spielberg films, the series tackles many of his favored themes including space travel, alienation, strained family dynamics and the creation of artificial intelligences. WhileWoods grapples with her troubled family dynamic, an investigation is undertaken by the International Space ExplorationAgency intoWoods’ mission. Not everyone is who they appear to be.
The project comes more than a decade after Berry made history for her searing performance in 2002’s “Monster’s Ball” as the love-starved wife of an executed prisoner— becoming the first and only African-American actress to win an Oscar in a leading role.
The years since that milestone have been a mix of ups and downs, professionally and personally. Therewere hits.
But other films, including “Catwoman,” “Perfect Stranger,” “ThingsWe Lost in the Fire” and “Cloud Atlas,” failed to impress audiences or critics.
In addition, 2012’s “Dark Tide,” in which she starred as a shark expert opposite Martinez, was barely released. Last year’s “The Call,” in which she played an emergency dispatch operator who sets out to rescue a kidnapped teen, was a modest hit.
Attracting more notice and tabloid headlines is her off-screen life: a divorce, a romance, breakup and messy custody battle with model GabrielAubry, the father of her first child, and her relationship withMartinez, the father of her second child, has attracted more media attention and tabloid headlines than her movie resume.
Without specifically addressing the past, Berry made it clear she sees “Extant” as the start of an era.
“I’m so very proud of this,” she said. “When I started out, Iwasn’t even able to dream about the position that I’m in now. I’m going intomy second half, and it’s very empowering. It’s very tangible that I have more control, and it’s really exciting.”
On the show, the revelation ofWoods’mysterious pregnancy puts more pressure on her already strained relationship with her husband, John (GoranVisnjic of “ER”), and their son, Ethan (Pierce Gagnon), an android boy created by John who is starting to display disturbing tendencies.
Executive producer Mickey Fisher, who came up with the concept and wrote the original script, said although “Extant” is fueled by thriller elements, the core of the showis based on howhumans connect and don’t connect: “Wewant to explore what it means to be human, what it means to survive.” Fellow executive producer Greg Walker added, “The showis very much rooted in family — that’s what keeps the story grounded.”
Both executives said Berry brought a resonance to the material that heightened the original concept: “HavingHalle really opens it up,” Fisher said.“We can really use her in painting this portrait of a very complexwoman who is at the core of thismystery.”
Berry, also a co-executive producer, said she identified withMolly and relished playing a character with flaws.
“What I’ve learned from playing this role is that Molly is as complicated as I am, and that’s what I hoped shewould be,” she said. “I’m fascinated by what drives her, what she’s made of. I can relate to her struggle— she has a career, and she has a family, but she’s not being defined by either one.”
She added that she felt a connection toMolly’s internal struggles in standing her ground: “As a mother and as awoman I’ve struggled with the feeling that I had the right to expressmy truth. I’ve learned to beOK with that.” The motherhood aspect of the rolewas a particularity important touchstone: Berry gave birth last October to her son, Maceo. Crayon drawings by her 7-year-old daughter, Nahla, are prominently displayed in her trailer.
“Being a mother is the most important thing I do,” she said.
For now, her focus is on “Extant” and spending time with her family. Shewants to increase development at her production company, 606 Films, and continues to be a model and spokeswoman forRevlon.
“My wish is that ‘Extant’ becomes a big hit,” she said about her plans. “I’m in a position nowwhere I get to tell great stories. It’smy empowered second half.” She paused and smiled: “It’s so not over.” Halle Berry as MollyWoods on “Extant.” The actress made history with her Oscar in 2002.