ABC's "Conviction" will see Hayley Atwell taking up the role of a former First Daughter and party girl. The character matures to turn into a crusading attorney in New York's Conviction Integrity Unit. This unit examines wrongful conviction cases in the series.
ABC's "Conviction" will air in the same network that aired Agent Carter. Hayley Atwell broke the news at the Television Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles.
"I think my job is to be as flexible as I can in discovering new characters and new storylines," says Atwell of her new role as Conviction's Hayes Morrison. The actress felt that the transition will be an easier one as material that the series has is strong. Once that part is done, the actress feels that the rest is a matter of just 'inhabiting the world.' She did not find it daunting and it was a welcome challenge for her as she takes up the role in "Conviction."
Hayley Atwell explained how she prepared for the role in ABC's "Conviction." The actress told that it is very difficult to know the nuances of the personal life of public figures. The actress closely observed the faces that the public figures put on in their places of work. She observed movie stars and politicians from across the board, reported The Nerdist.
"But then what makes it interesting as an actor," adds Atwell, "is to find the chinks in the armor and the triggers and where she might just mess it up. And the underlying vulnerability and the cost of having to be on form all the time, and what that does to your own psyche."
Executive producer Liz Friedman talks about the concept of how the drama of the "Conviction" would throw together a prosecutor, a forensics expert and the police. They have different professions and work entirely on separate from one another. "Conviction" would see all of them working together on an issue. While writing the pilot for the series, the characters were brought to life, reported The Wrap.
"Conviction" is really about a woman in position who had taken a wrong turn a couple of times. Her position helped her to come out of the mess. Then she had to face people who were not as privileged as her and hence faced bad situations for doing the same kind of mistakes. She deals with people who pay a big price because they do not enjoy the position that she does.
Friedlander also admired the risk taking ability of Hayley Atwell. She feels that the actress works in an uncontrolled way and works without rules. This gives her the ability to look at things in an unconventional way. This makes her perfect to play the role in "Conviction."
Hayley Atwell, at the same time, is looking at this as an opportunity to play the character of Peggy Carter with far more flaws.
ABC's Conviction will premiere on Monday, October 3 at 10 PM.
