Conviction (ABC 2016, Hayley Atwell, Eddie Cahill)

Legal drama series Conviction has an interesting premise, Hayes Morrison is the lawyer daughter of a former president of the USA. When the series begins Hayes has a difficult choice to make, jail time for drugs possession or joining the firm of her arch rival District Attorney Wayne Wallis. It’s not really a difficult choice of course as there is no chance she is going to choose jail time. Especially as her mother is currently campaigning for the Senate.

Hayes begins working for Wallis and his Conviction Integrity Unit where she specialises in turn over cases – digging out facts wherever there is credible suspicion of wrongful conviction. At the same time she knows she needs to rebuild bridges with her powerful family.

Each episode focuses on a different case that is making headline news, the Unit has just five days to come to a conclusion on the case and decide whether justice was served or not.

Fabulous to see Hayley Atwell step straight into the lead of another show after the demise of Agent Carter. There is a strong dynamic between her character and Wayne Wallis played by rising star Eddie Cahill.

Despite a strong enough concept ABC pulled the plug after it’s initial run of 13 episodes.

production details
USA / ABC – ABC Studios – Mark Gordon Company / 13×45 minute episodes / Broadcast from Monday 3 October 2016 – 29 January 2017

Creators: Liz Friedlander, Liz Friedman / Executive Producers: Liz Friedman, Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper

cast
Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison
Eddie Cahill as Wayne Wallis
Emily Kinney as Tess Thompson
Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison
Manny Montana as Franklin “Frankie” Rios
Merrin Dungey as Maxine Barton
Shawn Ashmore as Sam Sullivan