ABC Orders David E. Kelley Mystery Drama

March 1, 2022 Jamie Stalcup

ABC Entertainment has given a straight-to-series order to Avalon, a mystery drama from David E. Kelley (Big Sky, Big Little Lies).

Based on a short story by best-selling author Michael Connelly (The Lincoln Lawyer, Bosch), the series takes place on Catalina Island, where LA Sheriff Department Detective Nicole Searcy heads up a small office. She is pulled into a career-defining mystery that challenges everything she knows about herself and the island.

Kelley will write the pilot episode, and the series will join ABC’s 2022-23 programming slate. A+E Studios and 20th Television will produce. Executive producers are Kelley, Connelly, Ross Fineman (Fineman Entertainment) and Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson (A+E Studios).

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“David E. Kelley is one of the great storytellers of our time, and we are excited to continue our successful relationship with him on what we believe will be his next epic series on ABC,” said Craig Erwich, president of Hulu originals and ABC Entertainment. “Michael Connelly’s short story is ripe with mystery and intrigue, and we can’t wait for David and Michael to bring this eerie and captivating world to life.”

Kelley said, “Excited to reunite with Michael Connelly. He’s written a fantastic short story, a great protagonist. Can’t wait to get started.”

“Being on a project with David E. Kelley again is amazing,” added Connelly. “This whole team of David, A+E and Ross Fineman has been wonderful to work with previously, and now, joining up with ABC, well, I can’t wait to start. Catalina is full of mystery and good storytelling. We’re going to put it on the screen.”

Jossen, president and head of A+E Studios, said, “I read Michael Connelly’s short story moments after it was sent to me by Ross Fineman. The knowledge that David E. Kelley would be working with Michael to create Avalon the series convinced me it would be a huge success. Avalon will be an exciting collaboration for A+E Studios, Fineman, ABC, 20th Television and two great generational talents—Kelley and Connelly.”