ABC has opted to cancel legal drama Conviction after one 13-episode season. The cancellation isn’t a surprise given the show’s underwhelming ratings following Dancing with the Stars, ABC’s refusal to order more episodes beyond the initial 13 given to all new fall shows, and the scheduling move to Sunday during event season that saw series lows and a quiet series finale. Not to mention the fact that several cast members had already booked new projects prior to the cancellation, which generally signals that a show isn’t long for this world.
Created by Liz Friedlander (The Secret Circle) and Liz Friedman (Jessica Jones), Conviction followed former First Daughter Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell), a party girl whose extravagant life, normally splashed across the tabloids, changes forever when she’s blackmailed into heading the Conviction Integrity Unit. Skilled defense attorney Morrison would be in charge of a group whose sole purpose is reexamining cases where there is suspicion of wrongful termination, an occupation that would provide the normally directionless rebel with a sense of purpose. However, it’s quite the adjustment moving from a life of drugs and danger to one of responsibility and altruism, so much so that Hayes hangs on to a bad habit or two as she moves into this new phase of her life.
In addition to Atwell, Conviction starred Eddie Cahill (CSI: New York), Shawn Ashmore (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Merrin Dungey (Alias), Emily Kinney (The Walking Dead), Manny Montana (Graceland), and Daniel Franzese (Looking).
The series finale of Conviction aired Sunday, January 29th at 10:00 on ABC.
