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.

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?