Network: ABC
Episodes: 13 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 3, 2016 — January 29, 2017
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Hayley Atwell, Eddie Cahill, Shawn Ashmore, Merrin Dungey, Emily Kinney, Manny Montana, and Daniel Franzese.
TV show description:
This legal drama series follows what happens when the daughter of a former President gets “blackmailed” into joining the Conviction Integrity Unit. It’s an NYC department that’s comprised of lawyers, detectives and forensic experts who re-examine cases when there is suspicion of wrongful conviction.
Former First Daughter and attorney Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell) is as cynical as she is smart. She is best known for her wild teenage years in the White House and proclivity to wind up on TMZ. But a cocaine bust is one misstep with consequences this former First Daughter can’t dodge.
Luckily, Hayes’ powerful mother (who’s running for the Senate) and the NY District Attorney are able to offer an ultimatum. She can do jail time or, run New York City’s new Conviction Integrity Unit. Hayes ultimately decides to use the opportunity and her brilliant legal mind to challenge the status quo.
Conner Wallace (Eddie Cahill) is New York County’s District Attorney and the creator of the CIU. An equal and former legal adversary to Hayes, Wallace intends on using her team to benefit his own political aspirations. But politics truly makes strange bedfellows and his professional and romantic history with Hayes — along with his strong ties to her powerful family — helped motivate Wallace to cover up her drug bust.
Sam Spencer (Shawn Ashmore) was supposed to be the leader of the CIU. He previously worked as a Prosecutor in the grueling world of the city’s gang unit and is Wallace’s golden boy. Sam reluctantly accepted Hayes as his new boss and is determined to prevent her wild antics from destroying his opportunity of one day taking over the CIU. Though he’s a “good guy,” the methods he employs are sometimes questionable at best.
A former detective and 2nd generation NYPD, Maxine Bohen (Merrin Dungey) is no fan of Hayes and her family. Maxine’s ex-brothers in blue distrust the CIU and see her involvement with it as a threat towards their fraternity. But Maxine understands that uncovering the truth, no matter who it impacts, is why she became a cop.
The CIU’s forensic expert, Franklin ‘Frankie’ Cruz (Manny Montana) is also an ex-con. He uses his book and street smarts to solve complex science based mysteries — as well as shed a light on the difficult lives their clients suffer behind bars. During his own incarceration, Frankie coped by studying the ins and outs of forensic science and developed a romantic relationship with his cellmate.
The CIU’s paralegal and Innocence Project alum, Tess Larson (Emily Kinney) is the youngest member of the team. That is not to say she’s naïve, as Tess has first-hand experience with wrongful convictions. As a child, her faulty eyewitness testimony sent an innocent man to jail. This is her secret cross to bear and she is now committed to correcting these life-changing wrongs at the CIU.
Episode #13 — Past, Prologue & What’s to Come
Hayes revisits a failed case from her days as a defense attorney – the very case where she met Wallace nearly a decade earlier. Meanwhile, a member of the CIU team is forced to revisit their illicit actions in the controversial Rodney Landon case. In the end, Hayes and Wallace’s future, as well as that of the CIU team, hang in the balance.
First aired: January 29, 2017.
What do you think? Do you like the Conviction TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
I was glued to this loved every second of it better than most of other stuff on please bring it back
ABC has some real junk on and they cancelled this program that was interesting besides being entertained.
loved this show always good ones get cancelled before giving them a chance. then you renew all these realty shows that are boring and no interest to a lot people,
I was so upset when I found out that Conviction had been cancelled. Viewers have NO VOICE and we are stuck with TV shows that are so unreal and so plain dumb. I wish there was a new station that would start running all the DRAMA’s that have been dropped by ALL NETWORKS. Their ratings would be through the roof. Is there nothing viewers can do, please HELP US. We like to watch TV also.
darn another stupid cancellation on a great show just so the network can continue with their “reality shows” that are not scripted right, the world believes right
Why can’t networks give a new show a minimum of two seasons before they even think about cancelling. Just because you don’t think people are watching this show doesn’t mean they are in some other way, i.e., DVR, cable On Demand, old fashioned VHS tapes, etc.
I cannot believe Conviction was cancelled. My favorite new show. The Actors are perfect. With all the horrible shows on they cancel a great one. boo
Have you producers lost it? Why not give Conviction another season or two? This is a great show intellectually provoking. plus it fits into a lot of what is happening in today’s world. I could totally see a crossover with “Bull ” like that case Benny did. Conviction should be renewed like for real.
Really sorry to see this show canceled. Truly enjoyed it.
Conviction was a thought provoking show. If ABC wants to get rid of something they should get rid of the highly insulting “Bachelor” and “bachelorette”. Those programs are mindless and sophomoric. Bring back interesting and intelligent tv shows.
Conviction is a great and intelligent show, but I guess this is not what today’s world wants. It seems all people want to watch is comedies. I believe the idiotic shows are the ones being seen and maybe I will have to watch Netlix and Amazon Prime more often.
CONVICTION is far too great and intelligent a show to be cancelled after 13 episodes on it’s premier year. Far too many idiotic shows being renewed for numerous seasons, but they will cancel great shows. I’ll be looking for the CONVICTION Season 1 DVD when they decide to release it, hopefully sooner than later.
I hope they bring back this show. I thought it had a great story line.
Well written, well acted, captivating plots and a good mix of characters. Deserves a second season to allow the series to expand.