User reviews

I really love this show. It's the right amount of legal and drama. I love watching legal shows and am so glad I watched this one. I'm really sad they canceled it.

This is a great show, please bring it back! The characters especially the main character of Haley is original and mean and funny. The cases are also very interesting and not run of the mill. The personal lives of the characters are also intriguing and we would love to see them continue.

It's a shame, didn't find this earlier. Of course, it's canceled. Dunno why, except of that their way of switching between scenes was really annoying.

I loved Hayley Atwell in Agent Carter and love her in this as well! The reasoning for why she got the job is not very believable , but I really think all the actors and their characters are great and interesting to watch. I don't think it would work if they weren't.

I don't know why, but the boss relationship issue seems a little over used, but it doesn't spoil the rest of the show. When all put together, there is plenty of conflicts and issues within the different characters to keep me wanting to see more.

I really like it! Hayley is a great actress and is surrounded by great actors here as well!

Were it not for the excellent cast, I would have rated this series a 5 out of 10. Whose idea was it to cancel the refreshing Agent Carter, and put Hayley Atwell in yet another (unnecessary) crime drama? Conviction is self-satisfied, lazy, and holds no surprises. The cast is lovely and does what it can, but I can't imagine this show being at the top of the list for anyone under the age of 55. It tries too hard to be relevant and doesn't succeed. One has to wonder what the plan is for the show. 2 seasons? 3 seasons? Maybe 4? I'm already exhausted thinking about it.

A show like this should be limited to a run as a miniseries. That way, some success may be achieved. But please, please don't make us wince through hours of uninspired story lines. There's so much better on television these days, and this show does not even compete.

I loved it from the first episode, its fast paced, witty and has some of the best character casts I have ever seen! The chemistry between Atwell and Cahill is amazing, the dialogues are refreshing and the CSI part of the show is very interesting, not the typical forensic Nasa talk we usually see, its described in a way that non-scientists (like me)can understand.Its been a long time since I have been this riveted by a show, there are so many to choose from and perhaps because of the variety, actual gems get buried under shows that do not even deserve a pilot. I only hope that its given a chance to go to Season 2 because I'm pretty sure it will be as amazing as Season 1!!

Well done to the Cast and Crew.

I don't know if it is the upcoming U.S. elections to blame but this season is full of new shows with larger-than-life women who are sexy and famous and "the best" on what they do...and...and...

Of course there were many TV series and movies and franchises with strong women in the past, but the "flavor" has seriously changed for the worst.

So, "Conviction" is another show starring "the woman about whom everyone is talking about". She was "the First daughter". And "she is the best" and she is ...busted for possession of cocaine and the District Attorney (who might be also an old boyfriend) ...blackmails her to lead something called "Conviction Integrity Unit".

The premise of C.I.U. is good and potentially interesting (as of Cold Cases Units) for a TV legal drama, but this is pretty much where the good stuff ends.

The pace of the pilot episode is unnecessarily fast. Trying to create a hype as soon as possible, and lots of hasty delivered facts to build the whole show in under 2 minutes, so the team of C.I.U. to be ready to begin its first case. It is obviously a procedural drama from now on.

The dialogues are trite (lots of "I didn't kill her because I loved her" yada-yada) and the situations too unbelievable to tolerate: About the previously mentioned possession, the first daughter is blackmailed ...3 times during the first 10 minutes of the pilot (by the DA, a member of her unit, and the ...mother of the guy who is her first case).

Overall: The writers and the producers of Network TV nowadays are short of ideas (judging by the number of "reboots", "remakes", "based on" etc. especially this season). But the main problem is the way they produced and deliver their shows. They are trying to impress with gimmicks and hype but they fall short in the substance. Conviction might get more interesting if its writers calm down and focus less on the "gossip girl" stuff and more on the material. I'm pretty sure there are many actual cases of wrongfully accused people out there that they can get inspiration of.

At the end of this week's episode of "Dancing With the Stars", Tom Bergeron confessed his love for Hayley Atwell. It's easy to see why he is so taken with the former star of "Agent Carter", now the star of "Conviction". She is beautiful, strong and one great actress.

In "Conviction", she plays Hayes Morrison, a complex character with obvious flaws. She is the daughter of an ex-President and a politician running for Senator. First an attorney, then a law professor, she was always a rebel and a liability for her parents due to her "extremely controversial lifestyle" and run-ins with the law. She is blackmailed into heading the CIU, a new department in the DA's office dedicated to investigating possibly wrongful convictions. She has all of the necessary tools, including a dedicated staff, but she lacks the...conviction.

The pilot moves quickly, allowing Hayes to experience many emotions. You will not see a finer job of acting in a pilot. Ms. Atwell is remarkable. Her character is uncaring, self-indulgent and the product of years of political posturing (by her family) and being in the spotlight. She knows how to paint on a smile, but she shows us so many levels beneath it.

Her character might seem unlikable and this might look like just another crime solving drama, but the writers have given the viewer plenty of hints at how this show might develop, along with the characters in it.

The supporting actors are also excellent, including Shawn Ashmore ("The Following") Merrin Dungey (who appeared in "the Following", Emily Kinney, Eddie Cahill, and Manny Montana (who also appeared in "The Following"). Her team of investigators have diverse backgrounds and very different perspectives.

The twist is that they only have five days to investigate each case--a factor that sounds contrived but it fits the story. In the first episode, they investigate an 8-year old conviction and Hayes has a crisis of conscience, proving she has one. Hopefully, the show will continue to focus on the characters though it must develop the investigations, much like "Elementary". I hope this show lives up to its potential, because it has plenty.

Update 11/22/16: Unfortunately, this show did not live up to its potential. The episodes were too repetitious, the show failed to focus on the characters enough, and it felt like the writers were more concerned about making social statements than about writing compelling stories. I am lowering my grade to "6", but the first few episodes are worth watching.

I found this serie just now. Started to watch and could not stop. I looked at all parts within 24 hours. It was great, fun and exiting. I very seldom really like series nowadays, seen to many. In my opinion the did nor give this serie the chans it deserve. It could have become much bigger in time. Just look at the reviews and the grades it got, and the popularity is growing although the serie has stopped in 2016. It was a HUGHE mistake to not continue with it. I'm really, really, really disappointed! Please start doing it again, I want to see a season 2!

I started watching the series because I think that Hayley Atwell has talent and she has done some very solid work. She is doing a good job playing an unlikeable character, not particularly a good route for series longevity.

Sadly the writing is weak, the plots weak, the characters flat and the whole thing both boring and rushed. It is very much the hurry up and run in circles until the aha moment, only ever discovered by the protagonist. The sequencing lacks continuity, is jumbled and is not believable.

I get it that a goal is to show a strong woman in a leadership role. Atwell could certainly make that happen, if she had a character to play that wasn't such a polished turd.

Sadly the show is shot and lit to highlight her wardrobe and her shoes as much as it is the plot. The inter scene switch with the overlaid scenes is both jittery and headache inducing.

Sometimes a show is recoverable. Too much would have to change to save Conviction. Hopefully Ms. Atwell's next series will offer her the opportunity to show how good she can be.

The first episodes was questionable but I decided to give it another chance. Before the end of episode 2 I was love with the show. This show has talent and heart! Atwell is perfect as Hayes and Kinney was perfectly cast. I'm still waiting for a little more from Cahill and Ashmore but I am fan of both and know what they can bring to the table. Franklin and Jackson are my two favorite characters and I would love to see more developed story lines for them. Dungey also plays a dynamic character. This show has the bones for something remarkable. I hope it gets a chance to get there before being tossed away. The content is already becoming more interesting.

I was looking forward of this series, however even though the acting is up to par, the show seriously suffers from ridiculously poor writing. I think Shawn Ashmore is extremely qualified actor, however I was sent into a mood of "this is totally unbelievable" after the scene with the pig. It's beyond acceptance and turned me off. Since I have had many careers including Professor of Chemistry, I expect persons with reported education, and are the lead characters, to carry themselves in a realistic manner. I was hoping for logical behavior, but after 3/4 of the show it was too frustrating. The acting is fine, the material is NOT. Smart, snappy legal behavior should ground itself in a slightly more realistic setting. Sorry Shawn.

Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell) is the scandal-plagued former First Daughter. New York DA and former flame Conner Wallace (Eddie Cahill) gets her out of jail in exchange for leading his new Conviction Integrity Unit. The team is given 5 days for each case to investigate and overturn. Team members include paralegal Tess Larson (Emily Kinney) who is trying to atone for her involvement in a wrongful conviction, ambitious ADA Sam Spencer (Shawn Ashmore), skeptical lead investigator Maxine Bohen (Merrin Dungey), and ex-con turned forensics expert Frankie Cruz (Manny Montana). Jackson Morrison is Hayes' brother working on their mother's Senate campaign.

This is a procedural with a set formula that the show constructs right from the pilot. There is nothing organic about the construction. The premise is laid out in the first ten minutes and the show tries to power through it with the sassy Hayley Atwell. I continue to hope that she finds a home somewhere but I doubt it's here. Maybe she's better off making movies. One way to create better construction would have been to follow one member of the team every show. There is a safeness to this show that isn't very winning.

I first started watching 'Conviction' because of Hayley Atwell and I stayed for the good female characters and LGBTQ+ representation. I really like the story lines, the characters' interactions and themes that the episodes highlight. I think it deals with relevant issues and presents believable characters. I' d like it to maybe explore the other characters' lives and pasts as well, and not just focus on Hayes. I really hope that it will get a chance to prove itself and won't be canceled (like many others on ABC - looking at you 'Agent Carter'). I feel that by canceling it, the message would be that female-led shows don't stand a chance.

The good things first, Hayley Atwell, Shawn Ashmore and Daniel Franzese are excellent. The show appears left of centre which makes a change from pretty much all other US cop/detective shows. The cases and forensics are explained so that anyone can follow them and are mostly engaging.

The poor bits next, other than the three above every character is so one dimensional to be nonexistent (the attempts to give them all back story are clichéd - don't know if that is the writers, directors or actors fault but I suspect it was a team effort), one characters sole role seems to be listing the left of centre facts that clearly put off other reviewers (or it could be that they are actual facts and not alternative facts that put them off). There really seems to be no chemistry between the love interests in the show. There are thirteen cases and only one of those wrongly accused isn't a literate, well spoken representative of the American middle class (even the token guy from the street appears totally middle class), which is too say nothing like the vast majority of actual prisoners in the US.

However the real problem with the show is the one shared by all US cop/detective shows. The lawyers and cops in this show break the law, cover up for each other (breaking more laws in the process) and of course get away with it. US shows regularly have the police/lawyers above the law and justified in breaking laws because they always turn out to be right and only ever trample on the rights of the guilty (who as I have learnt from US television have no rights). It is ironic that a show based on the premise of over turning wrongful convictions itself commits so many crimes in doing its job. The show is clearly intended to be left of centre politically but frankly ends up as right wing as any other US cop/detective show.

One star for each of Hayley Atwell, Shawn Ashmore (I admit I like Killjoys) and Daniel Franzese and maybe half a star for Richard Thomas.

I just love this show.

Finally a fresh new approach to justice, a show that actually is different and stands apart from the multitude of shows showing basically the same.

The premise of the show itself is great, because it deals with the monster inside the closet. How the justice system condemns innocent people, just because not everyone can pay for six digits lawyers.

Another thing done brilliantly in this show is the cast. How can we not relate to this cast!? The cast, each actor and actress, is fundamental to the success of this show. It's clear that each have their own secrets and things they aren't proud of. So each member of that team as to in a way, deal with their personal beliefs and ghosts.

The potential is great but honestly I don't see this show having a long lifespan. Three to four seasons at most. The problem being that at a certain point, viewers are gonna get tired of seeing them handling situations where we already known from the very beginning that the person in jail is innocent. They might create scenarios where even after proved innocent, the person either prefers to keep the blame or doesn't have anything to go back to. Turning wins into losses. We're already seeing that.

So... How long before we the viewers get tired of seeing the same situations over and over. I really hope they have a plan of expanding this show into other fields, or eventually the show won't be able to grab its viewers.

For now the show still has a lot to show and do. So as long as it lasts I'll watch it.

OK I am not sure if I have just fallen in love with the lead lady or if the show is really that good but I am going to say that I have fallen in love with this show it has been a bit more than hard to say goodbye to castle and the new replacement for it is fantastic though I am so happy with the new show I love the lead lady the action in the show is good and the plot moves nicely along with the show the way it is now it's not easy to find shows that are enteresting yet still fairly well clean and this is one of those shows however I am so happy to have found the show and have developed a crush on the lead her sassy yet sweet attitude is fanominal she's also very cleverly witted and simply adorable I am sure you will love it

After the gimmicky, kind of schlocky, pilot, the show surprisingly reveals layers of depth, particularly to its central character Hayes. Hayley Atwell, one of my fav actors, plays her with customary panache and sensitivity. Unfortunately, the creators have seen fit to interject episodes with gimmicky animation and music which disturb the viewer's involvement, both emotional and narrative! Too bad! Still, personally, I find the series watchable and intelligent.... Update; watched Ep4 "Stay Woke", wow--dialogue and plot are prescient, given the massive BLM protests rocking the world today! Show is seriously GOOD