American Crime (TV series)

American Crime (TV series)
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Title	American Crime
Genre	Anthology drama
Creator	John Ridley
Starring	Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Regina King, Lili Taylor, Elvis Nolasco, John Ortiz, W. Earl Brown, Benito Martinez, Penelope Ann Miller, Richard Cabral
Country	United States
Language	English
Num episodes	29
Network	ABC
First aired	March 5, 2015
Last aired	April 30, 2017

American Crime (TV series). Created by John Ridley, the acclaimed anthology drama series aired on the ABC network for three seasons from 2015 to 2017. Each season presented a self-contained narrative exploring complex social issues through the lens of a specific crime, featuring a repertory cast including Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, and Regina King. The series was noted for its unflinching examination of topics such as racial inequality, class conflict, and the American justice system, earning critical praise and multiple awards including Primetime Emmy Awards for its cast.

Premise and format

Employing an anthology series format, each season of the program presented a new, self-contained story with distinct characters and settings, though many actors returned in different roles. The first season, set in Modesto, California, investigated the aftermath of a home invasion and a murder, weaving in themes of racial profiling and socioeconomic status. The second season shifted to Indianapolis, focusing on a sexual assault case at an elite private school that exposed divisions of race, class, and privilege. The third and final season moved to Alamence County, North Carolina, to explore issues of undocumented immigration, human trafficking, and modern slavery within the agricultural and service industries. This structural approach allowed for deep, novelistic exploration of contemporary American societal fractures, often drawing parallels to real-world events covered by outlets like The New York Times.

Cast and characters

The series utilized a core repertory company, with actors portraying vastly different characters each season. Felicity Huffman played roles including a grieving mother in season one and the headmistress of Leeds School in season two. Regina King delivered powerful performances as a devout sister, a tenacious social worker, and a grieving mother, winning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for her work. Timothy Hutton appeared as a war veteran father, a basketball coach, and a struggling farmer. Other recurring ensemble members included Lili Taylor, Elvis Nolasco, Richard Cabral, Benito Martinez, and Connor Jessup. Notable guest stars across the seasons included Cherry Jones, Sandra Oh, and Janel Moloney, who brought additional depth to the intricate narratives.

Production

John Ridley, the Oscar-winning writer of *12 Years a Slave*, created, wrote, and served as an executive producer for the series through his International Famous Players production company. The series was produced in association with ABC Studios and filmed on location in various states to authentically capture each setting, from California to Texas. Ridley's distinct directorial style, often employing stark cinematography and deliberate pacing, established a consistent tonal gravity. The production faced the creative challenge of developing three entirely new worlds within a tight network television schedule, assembling scripts that functioned as moral thrillers while grounded in extensive research on the legal system and social dynamics.

Reception

The series garnered widespread critical acclaim for its ambitious storytelling and powerful performances, though it struggled to find a large mainstream audience on ABC. Reviewers from *Variety*, *The Hollywood Reporter*, and *The New York Times* frequently praised its narrative courage and social relevance. The program received numerous accolades, including several Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award in 2016 for its second season. Regina King's performances were particularly heralded, earning her two consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards. Despite its prestige, the series was canceled after three seasons, with many critics citing its challenging subject matter and dense plotting as factors in its lower Nielsen ratings.

Episodes

Over its three-season run, a total of 29 episodes were produced. Season one comprised 11 episodes that aired from March to May 2015, beginning with "Episode One". Season two contained 10 episodes broadcast from January to March 2016, starting with "Episode One". The third and final season consisted of 8 episodes, premiering in March 2017 and concluding with "Season Three: Episode Eight". Each season's episode arc was designed to gradually unravel the central crime while meticulously developing the perspectives of victims, accused, families, and institutions, building toward climactic courtroom or confrontational scenes. The episode titles were typically simple numerals, emphasizing the series' serious, procedural-like dissection of events.

Category:2015 American television series debuts Category:2017 American television series endings Category:American Broadcasting Company original programming Category:American anthology television series Category:English-language television shows