ABC picks up new shows and renews ‘American Crime,’ ‘Dr. Ken’ and ‘The Catch’
ABC is picking up several new series for its upcoming season and has announced a third season of its acclaimed limited series “American Crime.”
New dramas include:
—”Still Star-Crossed,” a period drama from Shondaland, the production company of Shonda Rhimes, picks up where the famous story of Romeo and Juliet ends, charting the treachery, palace intrigue and ill-fated romances of the Montagues and Capulets in the wake of the young lovers’ tragic fate.
The cast includes Wade Briggs (“Home and Away”), Anthony Head, Zuleikha Robinson and Lashana Lynch
—”Time After Time” is based on the 1979 film that starred Malcolm McDowell and David Warner. The new version from executive producer/writer Kevin Williamson (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Scream” franchise) revolves around famed science fiction writer H.G. Wells (Freddie Stroma), who is transported to modern day Manhattan in pursuit of Jack the Ripper (Josh Bowman). Wells finds a world he never thought possible and a young woman who captivates him.
—”Conviction” follows lawyer and former first daughter Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell, “Marvel’s Agent Carter”), who is about to accept a job offered from her sexy nemesis, New York Dist. Atty. Wayne Wallis, to avoid jail time for cocaine possession and avoid hurting her mother’s Senate campaign. Working with his team at the new Conviction Integrity Unit will let her use her brilliant mind to turn over cases where there is credible suspicion of wrongful conviction, and it will give her a chance to turn things around with her high-powered political family.
Also starring is Eddie Cahill as Wayne Wallis, as well as Shawn Ashmore and Merrin Dungey.
—”Notorious” is inspired by the true-life stories of famed criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker, who serve as executive producers. The series is a provocative look at the unique, sexy and dangerous interplay of criminal law and the media. The cast includes Piper Perabo (“Covert Affairs”) and Daniel Sunjata.
New comedies include:
—“Downward Dog” tells the story of struggling millennial Nan (Allison Tolman) from the point of view of her lonely and philosophical dog, Martin. One session at obedience school makes them realize that, even at their worst, they may be the best thing for each other. The comedy is based on a Web series.
—”Untitled Sarah Dunn” project stars Katy Mixon (“Mike and Molly”) as Katie Otto, a confident, unapologetic and plump wife and mother of three, who raises her flawed family in the wealthy town of Westport, Conn., filled with “perfect” moms and their “perfect” offspring. She lets us in on her deepest, most unfiltered thoughts through voiceover as the she lives her life as the second fattest housewife in Westport. Sarah Dunn (“Bunheads”) is one of the writers of the series.
The network has picked up a third season of the acclaimed “American Crime,” from Oscar winner John Ridley (“12 Years A Slave”). The third season features a new crime committed in a different setting, as told through the eyes of those affected.
Also picked up for second seasons was the comedy “Dr. Ken” and “The Catch,” starring Mireille Enos as a top investigator on the trail of her con-man fiance.
greg.braxton@latimes.com
