Conviction is an American legal drama television series that aired on NBC as a mid-season replacement from March 3 to May 19, 2006. The cast includes Stephanie March reprising her Law & Order: Special Victims Unit role as Alexandra Cabot. In the series, Cabot returns to New York City and becomes a Bureau Chief ADA supervising a group of young but talented assistant district attorneys after a stint in the Witness Protection Program. Other cast members include Eric Balfour, Anson Mount, Jordan Bridges, Julianne Nicholson, Milena Govich, and J. August Richards.
Prior to the show's debut, creator Dick Wolf remarked, "Conviction will be a 'charactercedural', we will be dealing extensively with characters' back stories and personal lives. I am delighted with the extraordinary cast we have assembled, which will give the show depth and emotional intensity."
Conviction's premiere came precisely one year after the premiere of the short-lived Law & Order: Trial by Jury, which was also created by Dick Wolf and also aired on NBC (in filming, Conviction used many of the Trial by Jury sets). On February 21, 2006, the pilot episode of Conviction was made available for free download through the iTunes store; the free download was available until March 3, the date of the NBC premiere. The pilot and all other aired episodes are now available for purchase.
NBC announced the series would not be renewed for a second season on May 14, 2006, having been routinely beaten in the ratings by CBS's math police procedural Numb3rs.
Contents
Cast and characters
Stephanie March as Alexandra Cabot
In Conviction, Bureau Chief ADA Cabot is engaged, and has had a fling with Deputy District Attorney Jim Steele, which was alluded to in Episode 5. Since her time as an ADA with the Special Victims Unit (2000–2003), Alex's ideals and the way she does her job have changed, becoming more of a "politician" – something that often angers her staff, particularly Jessica Rossi. During the show's run, it was unexplained why Cabot was able to leave the Witness Protection Program, which she joined in 2003, after her life was threatened by a drug lord whose associate she had tried to prosecute. In a 2009 episode of SVU ("Lead"), in which March guest starred as Alexandra Cabot, it was revealed that the drug lord, Cesar Velez, died in prison, and Liam Connors, an assassin hired by Velez to kill her, was extradited to his native Ireland. No longer in Witness Protection, she had been back in the Manhattan DA's office for the past three years, which accounted for her reappearance on Conviction in 2006.
Anson Mount as Jim Steele
Jim Steele is the Deputy Bureau Chief ADA whose best friend, Mike Randolph, is murdered by drug dealers in the pilot episode of Conviction. Jim is strong-willed and determined to avenge his friend's death. He is shown to have an adversarial relationship with Cabot after she decides to plead out his friend's murderer. Jim is tough on his subordinates, but he is secretly proud of them. He is having an affair with Jessica Rossi, which was private until the media exploited it in an attempt by a woman on trial to detract from Steele's credibility and portray him in a negative light. It is also implied that Cabot and Steele had a sexual relationship, as seen in the episode "Savasana".
Eric Balfour as Brian Peluso
Brian Peluso is a laid-back and irresponsible ADA that seems to be heavily into partying but is very invested in his clients. He has sex with a number of different women whom he does not seem to care about, something that is seen as a defense mechanism because when he does open up to women, they often let him down. Peluso confesses to being in love with Finn in "Hostage". There are subtle references to a potential substance abuse problem, and he has a problem with gambling. He is often seen drinking Red Bull.
Cancellation and aftermath
Conviction lost all of its Friday night ratings battles to CBS' Numb3rs. The last minute addition of Alexandra Cabot resulted in what was perceived as an unflattering and out-of-character portrayal. Also, despite Dick Wolf's claim of keeping the story character driven and giving detailed backgrounds, much of Cabot's character was not developed or explained.
The cancellation also came as the second legal drama failure for Dick Wolf, the first being Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Coincidentally, the show reused several of TBJ's sets.
Conviction averaged 7.7 million viewers overall (placing 73 for the season), 2.5 mill. in the 18–49 demo (placing 86), and 8 share. In contrast, the competing show, Numb3rs, averaged 11.7 million viewers overall (placing 31), 3.3 mill. in the 18–49 demo (placing 56), and 10 share.
Nevertheless, two actresses from the series have moved on to become lead characters in other Law & Order series. Milena Govich appeared on the original Law & Order as Det. Nina Cassady in its 17th season, having first appeared on Law & Order as a guest star in 2005. Julianne Nicholson, who played the meek Christina Finn, appears as Megan Wheeler on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Nicholson had previously guest starred on the original Law & Order in the episode "All My Children" in 2001.
Broadcast history
Overseas broadcasts
Conviction has aired on Five US and Hallmark Channel in the United Kingdom. In March 2008, the show debuted in Australia, on Network Ten's Ten HD channel.
Re-runs
Re-runs were shown on the now defunct Universal HD and are currently shown on Hulu in the United States.
