'Conviction' Series Premieres TONIGHT, October 3rd

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 tonight, 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.

“Conviction” is from The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios. “Conviction” is co-created by writer Liz Friedman and director Liz Friedlander. Executive producers are Mark Gordon, Liz Friedman, Liz Friedlander and Nicholas Pepper.

“Conviction” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

Photos are credited to ABC.