Conviction Season 1: ABC Votes NO To More Episodes
Carissa Pavlica
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Hayley Atwell has a lot of fans.
For what other reason would ABC choose the night of the US presidential election to give their vote of no confidence to the freshman series with the news Conviction Season 1 would receive no additional episodes? [**update** We previously announced it was canceled.]
ABC will, however, produce and air all 13 episodes of the struggling freshman drama.
It's unclear whether the show will remain in its current time slot on Monday nights, but we have no knowledge to the contrary.
Still, it's sad news for fans of Atwell, especially those who have already mourned the loss of her better-received Agent Carter.
Conviction tackles one of the hottest topics this season: attorneys taking on cases of wrongfully convicted clients.
Thanks to Netflix's Making a Murderer, many series have woven that into their existing storylines and new series.
What makes Conviction different is Atwell's character being a bit of a bad girl herself. As a former first daughter getting into a spot of trouble, taking the new position was to be her penance.
Unfortunately, if our readers are any indication, the cases just aren't compelling enough and the hook not unique enough, despite a great cast.
The ratings this past Monday were very low, and Conviction fell below both Jane the Virgin and Supergirl on The CW, which is not a spot ABC ever wants to be in.
Conviction was not only the lowest rated series premiere of the season, but lost 17% of the audience from last season's Castle, which was already bleeding viewers on its own thanks to dramatic storyline issues.
ABC cut the episode order of its Thursday drama Notorious from 13 to 9 because of a low retention rate out of Grey's Anatomy and dragging down How to Get Away with Murder.It, too.
Notorious is effectively canceled (if not officially), despite a lot of star power and the sweetest spot on the ABC schedule.
Designated Survivor, American Housewife and Speechless, however, have been hits for ABC and have been issued full season orders.
Upcoming ABC shows for midseason include Season 2 of The Catch, Still Star Crossed, Time After Time, Downward Dog and Imaginary Mary.
Scandal Season 6 has already been scheduled to return to its Thursday timeslot on January 19, replacing Notorious. Take a look at the preview for the season below!
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.
