ABC has cast Merrin Dungey in the drama pilot “Conviction,” starring Hayley Atwell.
Dungey, whose recent credits include “Chasing Life” and “Once Upon a Time,” will play Maxine, the lead investigator for the Conviction Integrity Unit. Maxine is a former NYPD detective from a cop family. She is tough and no-nonsense, but will find her previously unfailing loyalty to the badge tested as she delves into her former colleagues’ cases.
The casting comes two weeks after Dungey’s sister Channing took over for Paul Lee as president of ABC Entertainment.
“Conviction,” from co-creators Liz Friedman and Liz Friedlander also stars Shawn Ashmore, Emily Kinney and Manny Montana.