Hayley Atwell is doubling down at ABC. The “Agent Carter” star has now landed the lead role in the network’s new drama pilot “Conviction,” TheWrap has learned.
The project is a co-production between the Mark Gordon Co. and ABC Studios. Liz Friedlander will direct.
The series tells the story of Carter Morrison (Atwell), the brilliant but ne’er-do-well daughter of a former president, who is blackmailed into taking a job as the head of Los Angeles’ newly created Conviction Integrity Unit.
She and her team of lawyers, investigators and forensic experts work together to examine cases where there’s credible suspicion that the wrong person may have been convicted of a crime.
The news doesn’t automatically spell doom for the future of “Agent Carter.” With the limited scope of the show at 13 episodes a season, it’s possible Atwell will be able to do both projects should the Marvel series be renewed for a third season and “Conviction” go to series.
Atwell originated the Peggy Carter role in “Captain America: The First Avenger” and has since played it in four Marvel movies total, including the latest, “Ant-Man.” She also appeared in Kenneth Branagh‘s “Cinderella” and indie “A Testament of Youth” with Alicia Vikander. She is represented by CAA.