Halle Berry and Pierce Gagnon star in “Extant”

What defines us as humans? What is it that powers emotions and consciousness? Are there other beings out there in the universe that are cognizant? Are we alone in the universe?

They're all intriguing questions that open the discussion into the world of UFOs, extraterrestrials and artificial intelligences, as well as the discussion on just what exactly makes us human. You know, your standard sci-fi fare.

CBS is delving into that world (or possibly out of this world?) with one of the most highly anticipated, not-so-standard sci-fi series of the summer. "Extant" is a futuristic thriller that follows an astronaut coming home and trying to reconnect with her family after a year-long solo mission in outer space. Catch the series premiere Wednesday, July 9, on the eye network.

While the premise sounds like the perfect setup for a typical character drama, there are a couple key factors that hint at something that'll be far, far more compelling.

First and foremost, CBS has snagged some A-list names to star and executive produce the show, and when big names join a project, its story is bound to be just as big.

Academy Award winner Halle Berry ("Die Another Day," 2002) will star in the lead role in "Extant" as astronaut Molly Woods, back on Earth for the first time in a year after a solo mission in outer space. Berry has a movie resume as long as the trip to the moon and back, but she's returning to her roots -- her first big break in Hollywood came as the star in the short-lived comedy series "Living Dolls" in 1989.

From there she bounced around with a couple guest spots on other TV shows, including a six-episode arc in the prime-time soap opera "Knots Landing." It didn't take long before she transitioned to the silver screen, and Berry carved her way into movie greatness with roles in "Jungle Fever" (1991), "The Flintstones" (1994), "Swordfish" (2001), "X-Men" (2000) and its sequels, "Cloud Atlas" (2012) and the movie for which she won her Oscar, "Monster's Ball" (2001).

Another big name who is working behind the scenes is the legendary director and producer Steven Spielberg ("Catch Me If You Can," 2002), who'll be donning the executive producer hat for "Extant." To say that Spielberg has had an illustrious career is a massive understatement. For a man whose name is synonymous with filmmaking, it comes as no surprise that he's won more than 150 awards in his career -- ranging from BAFTAs and Golden Globes to Daytime and Primetime Emmys. He has three Academy Awards to his name and another nine Oscar nominations.

Spielberg brings the pedigree to the small screen, as well as a knowledge and love for the sci-fi thriller genre. While his two Oscar-winning movies (Best Director for "Saving Private Ryan," 1998; Best Director and Best Picture for "Schindler's List," 1993) were wartime dramas, some of his other big-ticket masterpieces were from another planet. "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), "Men In Black" (1997) and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982) all feature something otherworldly, and this background is sure to benefit "Extant."

Goran Visnjic as seen in “Extant”

The other key factor that suggests "Extant" will be more than just your run-of-the-mill, sci-fi family drama is the ambiguity of the plot line. The trailers so far have been tossing viewers little treats about what to expect, except they're leaving you with questions and curiosities as well.

What's come to light so far is that on Molly's solo mission, she meets a strange man (or is it really a man?) played by Sergio Harford in his debut as a regular on network television, inside the space station. He needs help, but so many questions hover around the character. Who is he and how did he get there? When Molly returns to Earth, she finds out she's pregnant, but how is that possible if she was on a solo mission? What exactly is she pregnant with? Something human? Something ... alien?

Berry told "The Hollywood Reporter" that there's definitely something paranormal about her baby (I mean, how else can you explain getting pregnant alone in space?). She likened the situation to the classic Mia Farrow horror flick "Rosemary's Baby" (1968), saying that "Extant" shares aspects with the spooky thriller.

"There is a period that it will have elements of 'Rosemary's Baby;' she's pregnant with something unknown … and over the course of the series, we have to decide … what is it really?" Berry said.

Thrown into this mix is her family -- her husband John, played by Goran Visnjic ("ER"), and her son Ethan, played by the adorable yet frightening Pierce Gagnon ("Looper," 2012). The thing is, however, her son is a machine with artificial intelligence, and he's treated just like a human boy. So now, not only do the questions revolve around what happened in space, but also about what in the world is going down on Earth and the fears associated with changing technology.

"What makes us human? Can machines be human?" show-runner and executive producer Greg Walker said of the essential question that underlies the series. In his interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," he also mentioned that what makes us human is as much of a draw to aliens as anything the show explores.

It's all these unanswered questions that make it almost unbearable to wait much longer for the show to premiere. With one of the most renowned producers at the helm and an Oscar-winning actress taking center stage, "Extant" looks to be something truly out of this world. Watch for it when the series premieres Wednesday, July 9, on CBS.