Conviction Series Premiere - Monday, October 3rd at 10pm ET/9pm CT about A brilliant young attorney (Hayley Atwell), who is also the daughter of a former U.S. president, is blackmailed to head up NYC's new Conviction Integrity Unit. She and her team investigate cases where people may have been wrongly convicted. production The pilot was shot in Toronto, Canada in March 2016 and the series is being filmed there. When the pilot was being cast, the main character's name was reported as Carter Morrison, which could have been a reference to Atwell's former role of Peggy Carter in ABC's Agent Carter. The character was renamed Hayes Morrison during the production process. Daniel di Tomasso, who was originally cast as Hayes' brother, was dropped after the pilot was filmed due to creative reasons. The role was recast with Daniel Franzese replacing him. meet the cast Hayes Morrison Played by Hayley Atwell Sam Spencer Played by Shawn Ashmore Conner Wallace Played by Eddie Cahill Maxine Bohen Played by Merrin Dungey Franklin "Frankie" Cruz Played by Manny Montana Tess Larson Played by Emily Kinney Jackson Morrison Played by Daniel Franzese
Spoiler: 10/03/16 Series Premiere episode HAYLEY ATWELL STARS AS HAYES MORRISON IN ABC'S PROVOCATIVE NEW LEGAL PROCEDURAL, "CONVICTION," PREMIERING MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 When it comes to our justice system, nothing is ever black and white. Just ask Hayes Morrison. Hayes, a lawyer and former First Daughter, is a hero – a controversial one. She finds herself in a tricky position, facing jail time for drug possession or accepting a job from her nemesis, New York District Attorney Conner Wallace. In an effort to avoid damaging her mother's Senate campaign, for better or worse, she accepts his offer. "Conviction," a compelling, fast-paced legal procedural, debuts MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. In the series premiere, "Pilot," Hayes needs to dig herself out of what could be a publicly embarrassing situation. She makes a clandestine deal with her adversary, Conner Wallace, to take on the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) and justice system in order to save face, not only for herself, but for her family. The first case Hayes pushes her team to consider is that of Odell Dwyer, a handsome former high school football player, who has been in prison for eight years for murdering his girlfriend. The CIU only has five days to determine if there was mishandled evidence, an invalid confession or a mistaken witness – five days to give Wallace the acclaim he wants for the CIU's first case and, perhaps, for Hayes to gain the respect she deserves. Each week in "Conviction," the CIU examines front-page cases which are provocative, socially relevant and emotionally charged. With only five days to come to a conclusion on each case, they question if the system failed, if jobs were done properly, if there was the possibility of a cover up, and ultimately if justice was served. The diverse members of the unit are complicated in their own right, and their explosive dynamics are all on display – the good, the bad and the ugly. With a shared past and equally competitive nature, Hayes and Wallace clash both professionally and personally. With a general mistrust for people, Wallace's political aspirations only further push Hayes to double down on her skepticism of her charismatic boss. Hayley Atwell (Marvel's Agent Carter) stars as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill (CSI: NY) as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore (X-Men, Quantum Break) as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey (Alias, Once Upon A Time) as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney (The Knick, The Walking Dead) as Tess Larson, Manny Montana (Graceland) as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese (ABC Freeform's Recovery Road, HBO series Looking) as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring in "Pilot" are Bess Armstrong as Harper Morrison, Maurice Williams as Odell Dwyer, Murray Bartlett as Victor Bonotto, John Kapelos as Jim McNally, Marisol Ramirez as Lupe Ramos, JoNell Kennedy as June Dwyer, Dylan Taylor as Gene Reynolds, and Sarah Allen as Lisa Crozier.
Spoiler: 10/10/16 episode THE CIU TEAM RE-EXAMINES THE HEADLINE-MAKING CASE THAT WALLACE PERSONALLY PROSECUTED WITH SHOCKING RESULTS, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" "Bridge & Tunnel Vision" – Hayes confronts Wallace head-on, investigating the case that made his career ten years ago: the Prospect 3. Three young white men confessed to the rape and robbery of a young black woman. Hayes hopes to catch Wallace off-guard with the team's investigation, but the complex case serves up a major surprise. When the young woman's character takes a hit in the press during the investigation, she is victimized for a second time, which Hayes takes personally, on "Conviction," MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Bess Armstrong as Harper Morrison, Cassandra Freeman as Zadie Daniels, Carl Lundstredt as Mike Kurzman, Stephen Scott Scarpula as Brian McKinney, Kaleb Horn as Seamus Gadsen, Fred Weller as Lewis Anderson, Sarah Allen as Lisa Crozier, and Ian Paola as Rey Armas. The story for "Bridge & Tunnel Vision" was written by Liz Friedman & Liz Friedlander with a teleplay by Liz Friedman and directed by Rob Seidenglanz.
Spoiler: 10/17/16 episode A MOSQUE BOMBING SPARKS A CIU INVESTIGATION AND RAISES COMPLEX QUESTIONS ABOUT RACISM, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION," OCTOBER 17 "Dropping Bombs" – While the CIU team vociferously disagrees among themselves whether the "bad guys" also deserve justice, they work to exonerate a political activist with questionable views. He is serving a life sentence for planting a bomb at a mosque that killed a prominent Imam and three worshippers. The re-examination of the case calls into question the NYPD's role which puts Hayes in Wallace's crosshairs. After a rigorous analysis of the evidence, the stunning conclusion to the case leaves one member of the team strongly dissatisfied with the outcome. Meanwhile, just as Hayes and Wallace seem to be getting cozy, they discover that their worst nightmare has been realized, on "Conviction," MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Mike Doyle as Rodney Landon, Frank Deal as Stan Sowinski, Nigel Gibbs as John Bohen, Anna Khaja as Kadisha Abdullah, and Sarah Allen as Lisa Crozier. "Dropping Bombs" was written by Thomas L. Moran and directed by Liz Friedlander.
Spoiler: 10/24/16 episode A MOTHER'S LOVE FOR HER AUTISTIC SON PROPELS THE CIU'S NEXT CASE, WHILE HAYES IS UNCEREMONIOUSLY THRUST BACK INTO THE SPOTLIGHT, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" Teri Polo and ABC News' Dan Harris Guest Star "Mother's Little Burden"– Hayes' recent transgressions spark a media firestorm. Meanwhile, she and the team tackle the highly sensitive case of a mother, Penny, convicted for the death of her autistic son. The state's most compelling evidence originated from Penny's own video blog, expressing her frustrations and fears about her violent son. While the CIU team tracks multiple leads, Hayes must do damage control in an attempt to save her job, which results in a primetime interview. The outcome of both the interview and the case have shocking endings with lasting repercussions, on "Conviction," MONDAY, OCTOBER 24 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Teri Polo as Penny Price, Sheila McCarthy as Dr. Jane Soto, Tim Guinee as Greg Price, Michael Pemberton as Judge McCutcheon, and Dan Harris as Himself. "Mother's Little Burden" was written by Samantha Corbin-Miller and directed by Paul Holahan.
Spoiler: 11/07/16 episode ALL OF HAYES' PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS TAKE A COMPLICATED TURN WHILE MONEY MAY BE THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL IN THE CIU'S NEXT CASE, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" Bess Armstrong Guest Stars as Harper Morrison "The 1% Solution" – Hayes launches into damage-control mode following her controversial nationally televised interview, seeking to limit the repercussions within her family and to her mother's Senate campaign. Meanwhile, the CIU takes on the case of a young man from the wrong side of the tracks, convicted for killing a wealthy woman whose privileged family took him in and treated him as one of their own. And Hayes' relationship with her family isn't the only tricky situation when she learns Wallace has hired a surprising person from her past to represent him in a high-stakes government investigation into his work as D.A., on "Conviction," MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Bess Armstrong as Harper Morrison, Ian Paola as Rey, Grayson DeJesus as Will Jarrett, Kelly Aucoin as David Porter, and Thomas E. Sullivan as Sean Porter. "The 1% Solution" was written by Steve Lichtman and directed by Scott Hornbacher.
Spoiler: 11/14/16 episode WHEN RACIAL TENSIONS EXPLODE, THE CIU TEAM FINDS ITSELF EMBROILED IN A PROVOCATIVE CASE, SCRUTINIZING THE PAST SHOOTING OF A WHITE FEMALE COP, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" "#StayWoke" – The accidental death of a young African-American boy, shot by a cop, sparks a racial firestorm and inspires Hayes to re-examine the controversial case of Porscha Williams. Williams, a devoted African-American civil-rights activist and leader, is serving time for killing a white female cop at a race equality rally five years ago. Conflict erupts among the CIU team when personal experiences shape their differing perspectives of the Black Lives Matter movement. Meanwhile, Maxine finds herself torn between her racial identity and her chosen profession, as she follows the case to its shocking conclusion, on "Conviction," MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Alex Mallari Jr. as Matty Tan, Nigel Gibbs as John Bohen, Susan Heyward as Porscha Williams, Ilfenesh Hadera as Naomi Golden, and Nicholas J. Coleman as Officer Daniel Blake. "#StayWoke" was written by Lynne E. Litt & Jewel McPherson and directed by Christine Moore.
11/21/16 episode HAYES IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT ONCE AGAIN WHEN WALLACE APPROVES A DOCUMENTARY CREW TO FILM THE CIU TEAM, AS THEY TAKE ON THEIR NEXT CASE, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" "A Simple Man" – The next case Hayes accepts for the CIU is that of Leo Scarlata, a man with diminished mental capacities, imprisoned for burning down his family's restaurant with fatal repercussions. Hayes realizes she may have taken on more than she bargained for, especially when a documentary crew approved by Wallace begins following the team. Hayes faces her discomfort with cameras, a side effect of growing up in the public eye, and the team members divulge intimate details about themselves and others while under the spotlight, on "Conviction," MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Carlo Rota as Vince Scarlata, Jason Furlani as Leo Scarlata, Jason Cerbone as Anthony Scarlata, Christian Campbell as Paul Slatkin, and Kecia Lewis as Judge Melissa Hinds. "A Simple Man" was written by Simran Baidwan and directed by Brad Turner. Spoiler: 11/28/16 episode A KIDNAP VICTIM MYSTERIOUSLY REAPPEARS, TRIGGERING A CIU RE-EXAMINATION OF THE CASE THAT SAM ORIGINALY PROSECUTED, WHILE HAYES CHALLENGES THE SYSTEM AND INTERVENES IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO WALLACE'S MISCONDUCT, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" "Bad Deals" – CIU revisits the case of Sierra Macy, a teenage girl who was kidnapped ten years ago and assumed dead—until she manages to escape her captor's home after he suffers a heart attack and dies. Sam, one of the original prosecutors, steadfastly believes that the right man was convicted: Sierra's former teacher Josh Fleck. Sam's undeniable conflict of interest has Hayes second-guessing her decision to keep him on the CIU review of the case. Meanwhile, Hayes is determined to intercede on Wallace's behalf – and against his wishes – in an investigation into his professional misconduct. Her stunning discoveries about quid pro quos that Wallace brokered in her cocaine bust and an earlier case they worked back in Chicago force the two to re-examine their personal and professional relationships, on "Conviction," MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Ifenesh Hadera as Naomi Golden, Allie MacDonald as Sierra Macy, and Kathryn Erbe as Carla Macy. "Bad Deals" was written by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado and directed by John Stuart Scott.
Spoiler: 12/05/16 episode THE CIU TAKES ON THE DEATH PENALTY, AND NOT ONLY IS IT PERSONAL FOR WALLACE BUT HE IS PITTED AGAINST HAYES, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" Andrew McCarthy Directs "A Different Kind of Death" "A Different Kind of Death" – Wallace brings the case of a death-row inmate, Earl Slavitt, to the CIU. Earl was convicted of murdering federal prosecutor Tom Simon, one of Wallace's best friends. Simon did not believe in the death penalty, and Wallace, along with Simon's widow, want to ensure that Earl did in fact commit the crime. With only days left before the execution, the CIU team shifts into high gear, looking for possible errors in the case. Instead, they uncover cracks in Simon's reputation. Hayes and Wallace are challenged both professionally and personally, as the case draws to a stunning conclusion, on "Conviction," MONDAY, DECEMBER 5 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring are Matthew Bennett as AUSA Bill Newton, Kevin Hanchard as Jack Braemer, and Richard Thomas as Earl Slavitt. "A Different Kind of Death" was written by Lynne E. Litt and directed by Andrew McCarthy.
Spoiler: 1/01/17 episode A UNIVERSITY MAY HAVE COVERED UP A STAR COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER'S SERIALIZED RAPES, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO HIS DEATH, AND HAYES FANTASIZES ABOUT A POSSIBLE FUTURE WITH WALLACE, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" Conviction Will Now Air on Sundays at 10 p.m. EST, Starting on January 1, 2017 "Not Okay" – After Hayes and Wallace share a passionate night together, Hayes returns to reality and cautiously considers sticking her toe into relationship waters with Wallace. Simultaneously, she also tries to make amends for her bitter loss in the death penalty case of Earl Slavitt. Hayes implores the CIU team to aggressively pursue the case of Sophie Hausen, a young woman serving a life sentence for murdering a popular college basketball player, whom she accused of raping her. Meanwhile, Tess finally attempts to make things right in her friendship with Matty, on "Conviction," on its new night, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starring Alex Mallari Jr. as Matty Tan, Jordan Hayes as Sophie Hausen, Melanie Nicholls-King as Elyse Salmon, and Ski Carr as Oscar Zapala. "Not Okay" was written by Thomas Moran and Simran Baidwan and directed by Jan Eliasberg.
Spoiler: 1/08/17 episode THE BLACK ORCHID KILLER ONCE BROUGHT A REIGN OF TERROR TO NYC; NOW IT'S UP TO THE CIU TO URGENTLY INVESTIGATE – COULD THE KILLER BE ROAMING THE STREETS READY TO STRIKE AGAIN? JOIN THE HUNT, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" "Black Orchid" – While Hayes and Wallace struggle to balance their professional and personal lives, they are summoned to a crime scene that fits the M.O. of the infamous "Black Orchid Killer." Is the latest murder the work of a copycat? Or is the man now in prison for the earlier crimes actually innocent? As the investigation accelerates, the CIU team, spearheaded by unlikely serial-killer expert Tess, closes in on a suspect who may have committed all the murders – but will it be too late? Join the search for the true killer on "Conviction," SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starting are Patrick Breen as Clark Sims, Berto Colon as Detective Nick Cestero, Shawn Parson as Joe Kaplan, and Elena Shaddow as May Defranco. "Black Orchid" was written by Samantha Corbin-Miller & Steve Lichtman and directed by Metin Huseyin.
Spoiler: 1/15/17 episode THE CIU TEAMS UP WITH FORMER PRESIDENT MORRISON TO TAKE ON A FEDERAL TERRORISM CASE, AND HAYES QUESTIONS WHAT SHE REALLY WANTS FROM A RELATIONSHIP WITH WALLACE, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION" Martin Donovan Guest Stars as Theodore Morrison "Enemy Combatant" – Former President Morrison pays Hayes an unexpected visit and lobbies her (and CIU) to take on the case of Omar Abbas, a Muslim-American citizen held for years without trial in a military facility for allegedly planning a chemical attack on Manhattan. But taking on the federal war on terror is a hot-button issue, and Hayes and the CIU find themselves battling the authorities in their search for the truth. Meanwhile, just as Hayes and Wallace become more comfortable with their relationship, her father raises questions about the couple's long-term viability on "Conviction," SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starting are Martin Donovan as Theodore "Ted" Morrison, Armin Amiri as Tariq Abbas, Karen Oberoi as Omar Abbas, and Clark Jackson as Agent Cole Sexton. "Enemy Combatant" was written by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado and directed by Paul Edwards.
Spoiler: 1/29/17 Season 1 Finale episode SEASON 1 FINALE WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR HAYES AND WALLACE WHEN THE CIU TAKES ON THE CASE THAT ORIGINALLY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER, ON ABC'S "CONVICTION"? "Past, Prologue & What's to Come" – Hayes revisits the failed case of Gerald Harris from her days as a defense attorney – the very case where she met Wallace nearly a decade earlier. Harris was found guilty of murdering his wife despite Hayes' belief in his innocence due to Wallace unearthing Gerald's darkest secret. 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, on "Conviction," SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. "Conviction" stars Hayley Atwell as Hayes Morrison, Eddie Cahill as Conner Wallace, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Spencer, Merrin Dungey as Maxine Bohen, Emily Kinney as Tess Larson, Manny Montana as Franklin "Frankie" Cruz, and Daniel Franzese as Jackson Morrison. Guest starting are Mike Doyle as Rodney Landon, Mark Moses as Gerard Harrison, and Rob Stewart as Paul Lund. "Past, Prologue & What's to Come" was written by Vincent Angell, Liz Friedman & Liz Friedlander and directed by Liz Friedlander.