American Crime (TV series)

This article is about the ABC TV series. It is not to be confused with American Crime Story.
American Crime
Genre Crime drama
Created by John Ridley
Starring
Composer(s) Mark Isham
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 9 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • John Ridley
  • Michael J. McDonald
Location(s) Austin, Texas
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 43 minutes
Production company(s)
  • International Famous Players Radio Pictures Corporation
  • #LiveLikeLisa
  • Stearns Castle Entertainment
  • ABC Studios
Distributor Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Picture format
Audio format Stereo
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original run March 5, 2015 – present
External links
Official website

American Crime is an American anthology[1] crime drama television series that premiered on ABC on March 5, 2015, airing Thursdays at 10:00 pm (ET).[2] The series was created by John Ridley, and stars Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton. The first season consists of eleven episodes.[3] The series centers on race, class, and gender politics as it follows a racially charged murder and the subsequent trial.[4][5]

Premise

The show follows the aftermath of a murder in Modesto, California. War veteran Matt Skokie is killed during a home invasion in which his wife, Gwen, is brutally attacked. The series uses the crime and its subsequent journey through the legal system to explore complex issues, mainly through the lenses of the victims' and suspect's families.[6]

Cast and characters

Regular cast

Recurring cast

Development and production

In October 2013, ABC announced it was developing a drama pilot created by John Ridley.[9] In January 2014, ABC greenlighted the pilot, and signed a deal with Ridley to direct.[10][11]

Elvis Nolasco and Caitlin Gerard were the first regular members to be cast, as announced on February 14, 2014.[12] Later Richard Cabral, Johnny Ortiz, Benito Martinez and W. Earl Brown were cast for regular supporting roles in the pilot.[13][14] In early March, Timothy Hutton was cast in a lead role as Russ, and Penelope Ann Miller signed on in a supporting role of the mother of the murdered man's wife.[15][16] Soon thereafter, it was announced that Felicity Huffman was cast in the lead role of Barb Skokie, Russ' stoic ex-wife and mother of the murdered young man.[17][18]

The pilot episode, along with further episodes, are filmed in Austin, Texas, which substitutes for the California Central Valley city of Modesto.[19] On May 8, 2014, ABC picked up the pilot to the series for the 2014–15 television season.[4][5]

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Episode One"John RidleyJohn RidleyMarch 5, 20158.37[20]
2"Episode Two"John RidleyJohn RidleyMarch 12, 20155.76[21]
3"Episode Three"Gloria MuzioJohn RidleyMarch 19, 20155.54[22]
4"Episode Four"Joshua MarstonDiana SonMarch 26, 20155.56[23]
5"Episode Five"Hanelle CulpepperErnie PandishApril 2, 20154.69[24]
6"Episode Six"Nicole KassellDavy PerezApril 9, 20154.40[25]
7"Episode Seven"Sam MillerStacy A. LittlejohnApril 16, 20154.38[26]
8"Episode Eight"Rachel MorrisonJulie HébertApril 23, 20154.05[27]
9"Episode Nine"Jessica YuKeith HuffApril 30, 20153.63[28]
10"Episode Ten"[29]Millicent SheltonSonay HoffmanMay 7, 2015
11"Episode Eleven"[30]John RidleyJohn RidleyMay 14, 2015

Critical reception

American Crime has been met with wide acclaim from critics with many praising the writing, directing, and the acting abilities of its cast, particularly Felicity Huffman. Rotten Tomatoes gives the show a rating of 95% based on 38 reviews with an average rating of 8.4 out of 10.[31] The site's critical consensus reads, "Raw, emotional portrayals of diverse characters in dire pain, mashed up with chilling narratives and a gutsy attitude make American Crime a must-see."[31] Metacritic gave the show a score of 84 out of 100, based on 34 reviews.[32] Deadline.com critic Dominic Patten said in his review that "the 11-episode limited series marks a resounding flag planting by network television and tells cable that it doesn’t own poignant drama on our small screens."[33] Critic Ed Bark praised the performance of Felicity Huffman and wrote that she will be a favorite to win at next year's Primetime Emmy Awards.[34]

References

  1. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 3, 2014). "Carol Mendelsohn Drama Starring Felicity Huffman Eyes ABC Put Pilot Commitment". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  2. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 19, 2014). "ABC Announces Premiere Dates for 'American Crime' and 'Secrets and Lies'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  3. ↑ Stanley, Alessandra (March 4, 2015). "Review: ‘American Crime,’ a Series Where Justice Is Far From Black or White". The New York Times. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2014). "ABC New Series Pickups: 'Selfie', 'Forever', Galavant', 'Whispers', 'How To Get Away With Murder', 'American Crime', 'Black-ish', Jeff Lowell Comedy". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Littleton, Cynthia (May 8, 2014). "ABC Orders 'Marvel's Agent Carter,' 4 Other Dramas and 4 Comedies". Variety. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  6. ↑ Keveney, Bill (January 14, 2015). "'American Crime' explores murder's aftermath". USA Today. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  7. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (July 22, 2014). "Regina King Joins 'American Crime,' Will Direct 'Scandal,' Return to 'Big Bang Theory'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  8. ↑ Sullivan, Kevin P. (December 18, 2014). "First look at Lili Taylor on ABC's 'American Crime'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 24, 2013). "ABC To Tackle Race With Murder Drama From '12 Years A Slave' Writer John Ridley". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ Obenson, Tambay A. (January 15, 2014). "ABC Gives Pilot Green Light To John Ridley's Racially-Charged Murder Drama 'American Crime' |Shadow and Act". Indiewire. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (January 21, 2014). "'12 Years a Slave' Oscar Nominee to Direct ABC Pilot (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 14, 2014). "Gerlald McRaney Joins TNT Pilot 'Agent X'; Duo Cast In ABC's 'American Crime'". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ "'American Crime', 'Agent X' And 'Warriors' Pilots Add Cast". Deadline.com. February 21, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  14. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 3, 2014). "Benito Martinez & W. Earl Brown To Co-Star In John Ridley's ABC Pilot 'American Crime'". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  15. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (March 5, 2014). "Timothy Hutton to Star in John Ridley's ABC Drama". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  16. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 5, 2014). "Penelope Ann Miller Joins ABC's 'American Crime', Chris Butler In NBC's 'Lifesaver'". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  17. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2014). "Felicity Huffman To Star In John Ridley's ABC Pilot 'American Crime'". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  18. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (March 7, 2014). "Felicity Huffman to Star in ABC Drama From '12 Years a Slave' Writer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  19. ↑ Rowland, Marijke (June 22, 2014). "ABC crime drama will be set in Modesto; local reaction mixed". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved Aug 4, 2014.
  20. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 6, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol' & 'The Blacklist' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 13, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Scandal', 'American Idol', & 'Dateline' Adjusted Up; 'The Odd Couple', 'Mom' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  22. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 20, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Reign' Adjusted Down & Final Basketball Numbers". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  23. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 27, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Crime' Adjusted Up + Final Basketball Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  24. ↑ Bibel, Sara (April 3, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  25. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 10, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Bones' Adjusted Up; 'Dateline' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  26. ↑ Bibel, Sara (April 17, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Backstrom' Adjusted Up; 'The Odd Couple' & 'Reign' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  27. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 24, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'The Blacklist' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  28. ↑ Bibel, Sara (May 1, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Bones' Adjusted Up; 'American Crime' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  29. ↑ "(#110) Episode Ten". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  30. ↑ "(#111) Episode Eleven". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "American Crime: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  32. ↑ "American Crime: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  33. ↑ Patten, Dominic (March 4, 2015). "‘American Crime’ Review: John Ridley Drama With Timothy Hutton, Felicity Huffman". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  34. ↑ Bark, Ed (March 4, 2014). "ABC's American Crime soars on the strength of its daring, daunting premise". UncleBarky.com. Retrieved March 5, 2015.

External links