We started telling you about Steven Spielberg‘s upcoming summer series Extant back when it was first picked up directly to series by CBS last August, to be part of a Spielberg block along with the return of Under the Dome. Halle Berry was announced as the lead in October, and now CBS is announcing another series regular, to play her best friend:

CAMRYN MANHEIM CAST AS SERIES REGULAR IN NEW CBS DRAMA SERIES “EXTANT”

Jan. 9, 2014 – Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Camryn Manheim has been cast as a series regular in the new CBS drama series EXTANT from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and CBS Television Studios. Manheim will play Sam Barton, Molly’s (Halle Berry) best friend and closest confidant. The series will premiere in Summer 2014.

The serialized drama starring Halle Berry is a mystery thriller about a female astronaut trying to reconnect with her family when she returns after a year in outer space. Her experiences lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.

Manheim’s credits include PERSON OF INTEREST and “Ghost Whisperer,” both on the Network, as well as “The Practice” and “Ally McBeal.”

EXTANT is a co-production of CBS Television Studios and Amblin Television. Steven Spielberg, Greg Walker, Mickey Fisher, who wrote the script, Brooklyn Weaver, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank will serve as executive producers. Halle Berry will serve as a co-executive producer. The series will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and worldwide by CBS Studios International.

Hopefully we’ll start getting more casting announcements now that we’ve made it to 2014. We’ll keep you posted.

Extant, starring Halle Berry and Camryn Manheim, premieres this summer on CBS.