A day after making the majority of its new series pickups, ABC has given out at least one more order to drama Secrets & Lies starring Ryan Phillippe and Juliette Lewis - which had a sizable series penalty attached to it.
Secrets & Lies: Ben Garner (Phillippe) sets out on his early morning run through the woods. He normally runs every other day, but today is different. He's hung over from drinking the night before. He's stressed from his growing marital troubles. He's devastated because his wife has asked for a divorce. Then he finds his neighbor's young son lying on the trail. He tries to resuscitate him, but it is too late. The city of Charlotte, North Carolina is frantic at the news of this young boy's death. Detective Andrea Cornell (Lewis) is assigned to investigate the murder. She is a tough, thorough investigator, and leaves no stone unturned. As she digs for the truth, all of the secrets and lies that the community managed to hide for so long come to the surface. Accusations fly. Alliances are tested. Trust is gone. And soon, Ben is caught in the middle as the police, the press and the world invade his untouched suburbia. Ben goes from Good Samaritan to murder suspect, as Detective Cornell searches his home, pokes holes in his story, and demands a DNA sample. Reporters hound him and surround the house putting more stress on his failing marriage. The neighbors begin to look at him like he is the killer, while his teenaged daughter is harassed online. Only a few people have his back, like his youngest daughter Abby, or his best friend Dave, who freeloads in Ben's guest house. Ben's life will be turned upside down as he sets out on a complicated journey to prove his innocence in this thriller mystery. Yet the harder he fights for his innocence, the more the audience will wonder... did he really do it?
The cast also includes KaDee Strickland, Natalie Martinez, Clifton Collins Jr., Steven Brand, Indiana Evans, Belle Shouse, Kate Ashfield and Charles Dutton.
The cast also includes KaDee Strickland, Natalie Martinez, Clifton Collins Jr., Steven Brand, Indiana Evans, Belle Shouse, Kate Ashfield and Charles Dutton.
Based on the Australian series of the same name, the pilot was written by Barbie Kligman and directed by Charles McDougall. Executive producers are Aaron Kaplan, Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield. ABC Studios, Kapital Entertainment and Hoodlum Entertainment will produce.
