Confusing news is out today for fans of Agent Carter’s Hayley Atwell. The star of Marvel’s period detective superhero drama has been cast as the lead in a new ABC drama pilot titled Conviction.
Citing insider sources The Hollywood Reporter explains that in order to sign Atwell the new series had to agree to work out a production schedule that allows her to continue on Carter if that series is awarded a third season.
Ratings for the season 2 return of Agent Carter have been low, just 3.2 million people tuned in for the premiere; worse, it only drew a .9 rating in the critical 18-49 demo. Despite being preceded by a special retrospective called Marvel’s Captain America: 75 Heroic Years (which performed abysmally) it aired against a block of sneak peek programming for DC’s Justice League over on the CW. Carter does tend to gain audience in delayed viewing but unless the series seems some strong growth another season is doubtful. Agent Carter’s showrunners are also developing a new show for ABC, drama The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez, described at MacBeth with a Cuban twist.
The pilot for Conviction was written by Jessica Jones writer Liz Friedman who will also direct and executive produce for The Mark Gordon Company. It follows Carter Morrison, the brilliant but ne’er do well daughter of a former president, as she is blackmailed into a position leading the Conviction Integrity Unit in Los Angeles. The department is charged with investigating cases of possible wrongful conviction.
So while Peggy Carter fans remain hopeful, ABC’s choice to place Atwell’s name on two rosters speaks well of their affection for the actress, not for her show. Aside from signing with the new series Atwell has not made any public statement on the move yet, as she sadly deleted her Twitter and Instagram accounts last fall. We’ll bring you updates on Carter as soon as we hear.
If you haven’t yet checked out Atwell during the Marvel dubsmash wars, treat yourself and do it now. Get the whole story here.