Halle Berry has signed up to star in Steven Spielberg's new TV series.

The Academy Award-winning actress will take on the lead in CBS drama Extant, playing an astronaut who returns to Earth after a year-long solo mission. The protagonist struggles to reconnect with her husband and son, while also coming to terms with her experiences in space.

The career-changing role will be the Cloud Atlas actress' first regular TV role since Knots Landing in 1991, and is undoubtedly a massive coup for the show. "For five months a year I'll get to live with and play this incredibly intelligent and vulnerable woman, and for the remainder of the year I'll continue to look for other roles that move me as deeply as this one," she said in a statement.

The CBS network has also embarked upon a two-year production deal with Halle - who is expecting her first child with her fiance Olivier Martinez - and her producing partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.

"There's only one Halle Berry and we are incredibly honored that she has chosen Extant to expand her illustrious career. As she does with everything she touches, she will bring a deep authenticity to her role and I very much look forward to working with her," Spielberg commented.

Extant is set to air in the summer of 2014.