.gif)
Conviction (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Conviction is an American television
drama
on NBC
that debuted as a midseason replacement
on Friday, March 3, 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 Executive 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."
Convictions 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 iTunes
music 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' math procedural NUMB3RS
.
The theme song to Conviction is called "Destiny", by the English electronic music group Syntax
. It can be found on their 2004 album Meccano Mind.
Conviction has aired on Five US
and Hallmark Channel
in the UK
.
Re-runs can currently be seen on Universal HD
in the United States
.
In March 2008, the show debuted in Australia, on Network Ten
's Ten HD
channel.
. 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), 2.5mill. 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 episode "All My Children" in 2001.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
that debuted as a midseason replacement
Midseason replacement
In American and Canadian television, a midseason replacement is a television series that premieres in the second half of the traditional television season, usually between January and May...
on Friday, March 3, 2006. The cast includes Stephanie March
Stephanie March
Stephanie Caroline March is an American actress, best known for her current portrayal of Alexandra Cabot on the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.-Early life:...
reprising her Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
role as Alexandra Cabot. In the series, Cabot returns to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and becomes a Bureau Chief Executive ADA supervising a group of young but talented assistant district attorneys
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
after a stint in the Witness Protection Program. Other cast members include Eric Balfour
Eric Balfour
Eric Salter Balfour is an American singer and actor of film and television. He is the lead singer of Born As Ghosts, formerly known as Fredalba...
, Anson Mount
Anson Mount
Anson Adams Mount IV is an American actor who has appeared in both movies and television shows. Mount has also played Jim Steele on the short-lived NBC series Conviction and appeared in the independent movie Tully with Julianne Nicholson, as the title character Tully Coates, a playboy whose ways...
, Jordan Bridges
Jordan Bridges
-Early life:Bridges was born in California, and is the son of actor Beau Bridges and wife Julie Landfield. He is the nephew of Jeff Bridges and grandson of Lloyd Bridges and Dorothy Bridges.-Career:...
, Julianne Nicholson
Julianne Nicholson
Julianne Nicholson is an American actress. She is known for having played Det. Megan Wheeler on Law & Order: Criminal Intent.-Early life:...
, Milena Govich
Milena Govich
-Biography:She was born in Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Both of her parents, Dr. Bruce Michael Govich and Dr. Marilyn Green Govich, are professors of music: Bruce worked at University of Oklahoma and Marilyn currently works at the University of Central Oklahoma...
, and J. August Richards
J. August Richards
Jaime Augusto Richards III is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of vampire hunter Charles Gunn on the WB cult television series Angel.-Early life and education:...
.
Prior to the show's debut, creator Dick Wolf
Dick Wolf
Richard Anthony "Dick" Wolf is an American producer, specializing in crime dramas such as Miami Vice and the Law & Order franchise. Throughout his career he has won several awards including an Emmy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-Early life:Wolf was born in New York City, the son...
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."
Convictions premiere came precisely one year after the premiere of the short-lived Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Law & Order: Trial by Jury is an American television drama about criminal trials set in New York City. It was the third spin-off from the long-running Law & Order. The show's almost exclusive focus was on the criminal trial of the accused, showing both the prosecution's and defense's preparation...
, 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 iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
music 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' math procedural NUMB3RS
NUMB3RS
Numb3rs is an American television drama which premiered on CBS on January 23, 2005, and concluded on March 12, 2010. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, and follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes , who helps Don solve crimes...
.
The theme song to Conviction is called "Destiny", by the English electronic music group Syntax
Syntax (band)
Syntax is an English electronic music group originally formed in 2002 by the musicians Jan Burton and Mike Tournier . They are best known for the songs "Destiny", "Bliss" and "Pride".-History:...
. It can be found on their 2004 album Meccano Mind.
Conviction has aired on Five US
Five US
5USA is an entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by Northern & Shell. It was launched on 16 October 2006 as "Five US" and was the second digital channel in the UK to be launched by RTL Group as part of their multi-channel strategy, the first being Five Life...
and Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel (UK)
The Universal Channel is a television channel owned by NBCUniversal.The channel mainly broadcasts United States imports including drama series and TV movies such as House MD and Law & Order. However the channel also screens British dramas including Hustle and Spooks, and Australian series like Sea...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Re-runs can currently be seen on Universal HD
Universal HD
Universal HD is an HDTV cable television network owned by NBCUniversal. The channel was known as Bravo HD+ until December 1, 2004. The network exclusively broadcasts in high definition 1080i...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In March 2008, the show debuted in Australia, on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
's Ten HD
Ten HD
Ten HD was an Australian free-to-air television channel that launched on 16 December 2007. The channel was available to high definition digital television viewers through owned-and-operated stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth...
channel.
Cast and characters
- Stephanie MarchStephanie MarchStephanie Caroline March is an American actress, best known for her current portrayal of Alexandra Cabot on the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.-Early life:...
as Alexandra Cabot
- In Conviction, Bureau Chief Executive 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 SVULaw & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
(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 SVULaw & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
("Lead"), in which March guest starred as Alexandra Cabot, it was revealed that the drug lord, Cesar Velez, was murdered in prison, and Liam Connors, an assassin hired by Velez to kill her, was extradited to his native Ireland. No longer in Witness Protetion, 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 MountAnson MountAnson Adams Mount IV is an American actor who has appeared in both movies and television shows. Mount has also played Jim Steele on the short-lived NBC series Conviction and appeared in the independent movie Tully with Julianne Nicholson, as the title character Tully Coates, a playboy whose ways...
as Jim Steele
- Anson Mount
- Jim Steele is a Deputy District AttorneyProsecutorThe prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
whose best friend, Mike Randolph, is murdered by drug dealers in the pilot episode of Conviction. Jim is strong-willedWill (philosophy)Will, in philosophical discussions, consonant with a common English usage, refers to a property of the mind, and an attribute of acts intentionally performed. Actions made according to a person's will are called "willing" or "voluntary" and sometimes pejoratively "willful"...
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.- Eric BalfourEric BalfourEric Salter Balfour is an American singer and actor of film and television. He is the lead singer of Born As Ghosts, formerly known as Fredalba...
as Brian Peluso
- Eric Balfour
- 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 that 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 abuseSubstance abuseA substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
problem, and he has a problem with gambling. He is often seen drinking Red BullRed BullRed Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
.- J. August RichardsJ. August RichardsJaime Augusto Richards III is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of vampire hunter Charles Gunn on the WB cult television series Angel.-Early life and education:...
as Billy Desmond
- J. August Richards
- Billy Desmond is smart, politically motivated, and hasn't lost a case during his three years at the DA's office. Initially, he appears to care more about winning cases and his political stature, but over the course of the first season, it become evident that Billy will not compromise the law or the DA's office for either his track record or his aspirations. Billy appears to be closest to Finn and Peluso, who he is seen to go out with after hours, but he also has hit a club or two with new co-worker, Potter.
- Milena GovichMilena Govich-Biography:She was born in Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Both of her parents, Dr. Bruce Michael Govich and Dr. Marilyn Green Govich, are professors of music: Bruce worked at University of Oklahoma and Marilyn currently works at the University of Central Oklahoma...
as Jessica Rossi
- Milena Govich
- Jessica Rossi is a young ADA who comes from a poor family. In the pilot episode, she is shown fighting with her brother after he asks her for a loan. We learn later that Jessica's father is abusive to her mother and has been for a long time. She is a fierce and often unrelenting ADA who frequently goes over her bosses' heads and takes big risks to punish the criminals she prosecutes. Jessica, along with Christina Finn, is particularly affected by the death of Mike Randolph. She is having an affair with her superior, Jim Steele. Jessica mentions to Christina that she lost her first court case.
- Julianne NicholsonJulianne NicholsonJulianne Nicholson is an American actress. She is known for having played Det. Megan Wheeler on Law & Order: Criminal Intent.-Early life:...
as Christina Finn
- Julianne Nicholson
- Christina Finn is an inexperienced ADA who has been with the DA's office for two years. She is particularly nervous about her first case, to the point that she becomes physically ill. Her first case, along with the death of her mentor, Mike Randolph, take a toll on Christina, although in the end she wins her case. Though she has limited trial experience, she is a quick learner, and despite some mistakes, she shows great proficiency. While sitting second chair to Steele in a murder trial, she convinces him that it is necessary that he allow for her to give the closing argument, else they would be certain to lose, due to the fact that the defendant had reverted to numerous means of undermining Steele throughout the trial. Her closing argument wins them the trial. Christina is flirtatious with Brian Peluso.
- Jordan BridgesJordan Bridges-Early life:Bridges was born in California, and is the son of actor Beau Bridges and wife Julie Landfield. He is the nephew of Jeff Bridges and grandson of Lloyd Bridges and Dorothy Bridges.-Career:...
as Nick Potter
- Jordan Bridges
- Nick Potter is a new and inexperienced ADA. He graduated in the middle of his class from New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU) Law School, and he comes from an "old moneyOld MoneyOld money is "the inherited wealth of established upper-class families " or "a person, family, or lineage possessing inherited wealth." The term typically describes a class of the super-rich, who have been able to maintain their wealth across multiple generations.- United States :American locations...
" family of prominence. In the pilot episode, he leaves his high-paying job at a private law firm for a position at the Manhattan District AttorneyNew York County District AttorneyThe New York County District Attorney is the elected district attorney for New York County , New York. The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws....
's Office. Nick is apparently attracted to Jessica Rossi; however, she is having an affair with Jim Steele. Nick is an idealist who wants to help those around him in whatever way he can, but his idealism and naiveté put him at odds with Steele's more aggressive and assertive nature. Nick is inadvertently responsible for the death of Jim's best friend, Mike Randolph. Although nobody else in the office believes Nick will last more than three months, Jessica Rossi has confidence in him and takes him under her wing. Since he is the new guy, he is also the target of pranks by the other members of the office (one that had him put a dress on to help finish up a hoax line up). Nick is the victim of a robbery where he is brutally beaten, and the event haunts him to the point where his professionalism is brought into question.
Episodes
| Number | Title | Original Airdate | Guest Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | March 3, 2006 | Fred Thompson as DA Arthur Branch |
| On Nick Potter's first day as an assistant district attorney, a fellow ADA is gunned down. | |||
| 2 | "Denial" | March 10, 2006 | |
| Steele must charge a 14-year-old-boy who murdered his brother as an adult. | |||
| 3 | "Breakup" | March 17, 2006 | |
| Finn investigates the suspicious suicide of a 12-year-old girl whose mother said her daughter was dying of cancer, but her autopsy shows otherwise. | |||
| 4 | "Indebted" | March 24, 2006 | Will Chase Will Chase Will Chase is an American actor and singer, best known for his work in Broadway musicals.Chase was born in Frankfort, Kentucky to Jerry and Betty Chase and is the youngest of three boys... as Detective Dave Lemanski |
| Desmond is enlisted to prosecute a superstar rap producer charged with murder. | |||
| 5 | "Savasana" | March 31, 2006 | Bernie Kopell Bernie Kopell Bernard Morton "Bernie" Kopell is an American television character actor who is probably best known for his roles as Dr. Adam Bricker in The Love Boat and KAOS agent Siegfried in Get Smart... |
| Finn gets dragged into a tragic shaken baby case and the decision to pull life support from the infant. | |||
| 6 | "Madness" | April 7, 2006 | |
| Billy Desmond's routine shift at a psychiatric ward turns the system upside down. Brian Peluso's girlfriend pressures him. | |||
| 7 | "True Love" | April 11, 2006 | Gregory Jbara Gregory Jbara -Early life:Jbara was born in Nankin Township , Michigan, the son of an advertising office manager and an insurance claims adjuster. He is of Lebanese and Irish descent. After graduating from Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan, Jbara attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1981... as Judge Herman Zemit |
| Nick Potter is robbed and beaten at gunpoint after trying to get a witness to testify. Brian Peluso gets ready to move in with his girlfriend. | |||
| 8 | "Downhill" | April 14, 2006 | |
| Potter takes on an easy case until a Parish Priest asks him to drop the case; Desmond networks with an exclusive group of upwardly mobile black men; Cabot and Rossi are at odds over a defendant in a rape case; and Finn gets caught up in a landlord/tenant dispute | |||
| 9 | "The Wall" | April 28, 2006 | Ken Howard Ken Howard Kenneth Joseph "Ken" Howard, Jr. is an American actor, best known for his roles as Thomas Jefferson in 1776 and as basketball coach and former Chicago Bulls player Ken Reeves in the television show The White Shadow... as Judge Hanson |
| Desmond and Steele face an uphill battle when they prosecute a case stemming from the death of a teen in a choking game. | |||
| 10 | "Deliverance" | May 5, 2006 | |
| A respected female attorney kills her husband, and goes head-to-head against Jim Steele when she decides to defend herself in the courtroom. | |||
| 11 | "Indiscretion" | May 12, 2006 | |
| Jim tries to prosecute a rape case, but the plaintiff's father stands in the way. Nick takes over an easy drug case from Jessica, but bungles it. | |||
| 12 | "180.80" | May 19, 2006 | |
| A club's bouncer is the prime suspect when a young woman is murdered after leaving an after-hours bar. | |||
| 13 | "Hostage" | May 19, 2006 | |
| Two suspects take the courtroom hostage, and try to negotiate their way out using members from the DA's office. | |||
Ratings
| Season | Episodes | Timeslot (EST) | Season premiere | Season finale | TV season | Ranking | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | Fridays 10:00 p.m. | March 3, 2006 | May 19, 2006 | 2005-2006 | #88 | 7.7 |
Cancellation and aftermath
Conviction lost all of its Friday night ratings battles to CBS' Numb3rsNUMB3RS
Numb3rs is an American television drama which premiered on CBS on January 23, 2005, and concluded on March 12, 2010. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, and follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes , who helps Don solve crimes...
. 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
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Law & Order: Trial by Jury is an American television drama about criminal trials set in New York City. It was the third spin-off from the long-running Law & Order. The show's almost exclusive focus was on the criminal trial of the accused, showing both the prosecution's and defense's preparation...
. Coincidentally, the show reused several of TBJ's sets.
Conviction averaged 7.7 million viewers overall (placing 73 for the season), 2.5mill. 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
Milena Govich
-Biography:She was born in Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Both of her parents, Dr. Bruce Michael Govich and Dr. Marilyn Green Govich, are professors of music: Bruce worked at University of Oklahoma and Marilyn currently works at the University of Central Oklahoma...
appeared on the original Law & Order as Det. Nina Cassady
Nina Cassady
Det. Nina Cassady is a fictional character on the NBC crime drama Law & Order, portrayed by Milena Govich. Cassady, the first, and only, female detective in the original Law & Order series, appeared in the first episode of the seventeenth season. Cassady worked alongside Det. Ed Green Det. Nina...
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
Megan Wheeler
Det. Megan Ann Wheeler is a fictional character portrayed by Julianne Nicholson on the NBC-USA Network series Law & Order: Criminal Intent...
on Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and produced by Dick Wolf and René Balcer, the series premiered on September 30, 2001, as the second spin-off of Wolf's successful crime drama...
. Nicholson had previously guest starred on the original Law & Order in episode "All My Children" in 2001.
DVD release
| DVD Name | Cover Art | Release Date | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Complete Series |  |
August 22, 2006 | Includes all 13 episodes from the series. |