We learned back in August that Neve Campbell was set to lead the cast of ABC’s “Avalon,” a new mystery-drama series from David E. Kelley. The project was given a series order by ABC, but Variety reports the surprising news that “Avalon” is no longer moving forward.
Variety reports, “According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, ABC opted not to move forward with the series order for “Avalon” after screening the pilot. A+E Studios is said to still be bullish about the project and are weighing options on how to proceed.”
Based on Michael Connelly’s short story, “Avalon” is from A+E Studios and 20th Television. Demetrius Grosse, Alexa Mansour, Steven Pasquale, and Roslyn Ruff were also starring.
Deadline had detailed, “Avalon, which received a straight-to-series order from ABC, takes place in the city of Avalon on Catalina Island, where L.A. Sheriff’s Department Detective Nicole “Nic” Searcy (Campbell) heads up a small office. Catalina has a local population that serves more than 1 million tourists a year, and each day when the ferries arrive, hundreds of potential new stories enter the island. Detective Searcy is pulled into a career-defining mystery that will challenge everything she knows about herself and the island.”
The site’s report continued, “Campbell’s Nic is the lone detective assigned to the LA County Sheriff’s substation on Catalina Island. Somewhat inscrutable, Nic isn’t easily intimidated and holds firm to her morals. Ironically, her strong moral compass is what got her banished to Catalina’s biggest city, Avalon. It’s a gig no career-driven LA cop wants, but Nic soon discovers her valuable detective skills are needed more on Avalon than she could have imagined.”
David E. Kelly is the powerhouse creator of shows including “Chicago Hope,” “The Practice,” “Ally McBeal,” “Boston Public,” “Mr. Mercedes,” “Big Little Lies,” and “Big Sky.”