Conviction (2016)

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Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 3, 2016
Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 25
  3. Negative: 9 out of 25
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Critic Reviews

  1. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Oct 3, 2016
    80
    Judging from the premiere episode, Conviction is not just compelling and topical, it’s a master class in TV-series construction.
  2. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Oct 3, 2016
    75
    The procedural element is smartly done, the stakes realistically high, and Atwell's chemistry with Cahill's D.A. compelling.
  3. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Dave Nemetz
    Sep 29, 2016
    67
    A show like Conviction, which is fine but not terribly inspiring.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Michael Starr
    Oct 3, 2016
    63
    The show’s pacing is brisk, the acting is fine on all fronts (the British-born Atwell’s American accent slips a bit here and there) and it’s nice to look at--which just might be enough to keep Conviction going.

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 61
  3. Negative: 18 out of 61
  1. oceano1641
    Oct 3, 2016
    1
    the first half hour could not hear dialogue! All you could hear was music. Not great for me! it was a complete disappointment have no ideathe first half hour could not hear dialogue! All you could hear was music. Not great for me! it was a complete disappointment have no idea what the story line is. Not impressed!… Full Review »
  2. sakharv
    Jan 22, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. 1) It is a female lead show. Not many of those on air.
    2) Hayes is privileged, yet objective on controversial issues. Both are requirements for her job as head of the CIU. And although she is considered flawed and destructive and problematic, her objectiveness and vulnerability (which in my opinion originated in her privileged, yet overexposed childhood) redeem her.
    3) The CIU is not a fictional unit. It exists in certain cities throughout the country. People should know about this fact.
    4) The show brings diversity in many regards. And I for one love that Hayes is bi (and this fact was stated in a very casual, matter-of-factly way, as it should be). Plus Hayes and Maxine have developed a good friendship. And so have Tess and Frankie.
    5) Tess has questioned her white privilege on multiple occasions. I think that makes her a fantastic role model. And we need more episodes to see that Matty actually forgave Tess (and that forgiveness is possible in such life-altering situations).
    6) Frankie portrays that people can reform after a conviction. A prison sentence does not define a person. Human beings are multi-faceted, complex individuals who can change and improve.
    7) And above all, the show brings up controversial issues that many people don’t often think about or purposefully overlook because those issues don’t affect their daily lives.    … Full Review »
  3. JennetP
    Oct 4, 2016
    5
    This show is all over the place. Take the writing: one moment fresh and clever, the next a pile-up of clumsy exposition and pop-psychologicalThis show is all over the place. Take the writing: one moment fresh and clever, the next a pile-up of clumsy exposition and pop-psychological cliches. The impression is of a writer's room staffed by one prodigy from the Iowa Writer's Workshop and a half-dozen "party school" dropouts who managed to fail their "cake" courses because they could not bear to leave their television sets. The premise--wayward celebrity genius helms Innocence Project wannabe--is great but mired in the melodramatic back-stories of everyone on (or involved with) the legal team. So there's not much airtime left for cases, which means they have to be simple and straightforward, so cue another round of cliches. Yes, Hayley Atwell is as good as everyone says, and I'll probably stick around for a while just to watch her work. But unless the series shuffles its priorities--and the writing staff--I can't imagine making it through even one season.… Full Review »
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