Avalon

## Release

***Avalon*** was an upcoming American drama series, loosely based on the short story of the same name written by Michael Connelly. It was scheduled to premiere on ABC.

On November 18, 2022, it was announced that ABC had passed on *Avalon* after it saw the pilot episode.

## Premise

*Avalon takes place in the city of Avalon on Catalina Island, where L.A. Sheriff’s Department Detective Nicole "Nic" Searcy heads up a small office.*

## Cast

### Main Cast

* Neve Campbell as Nicole "Nic" Searcy, the lone detective assigned to the Catalina Island substation. 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 L.A. cop wants, but Nic soon discovers her valuable detective skills are needed more on Avalon than she could have imagined.
* Steven Pasquale as Detective William Claypool Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective who is intelligent, head strong and good-humored. Claypool is called to Catalina to investigate a terrifying discovery on the island.
* Roslyn Ruff as Lena, a police administrative dispatcher, “gatekeeper and grand guardian of perspective.” She’s unflappable, always a voice of reason. Self-reliant, very spiritual and independent, she is not in a relationship but gives the best relationship advice.
* Alexa Mansour as Deputy Carolyn Chavez, who's good cheer, optimism, and sense of humor is thoroughly unbridled. Carolyn loves her job, loves her boss, loves everything about living on the Island. She has her own compass, one she acquired after being forced to fend for herself at a young age.
* Demetrius Grosse as Senior Deputy Dayo Musa, who is assigned to Catalina Island, a post he’s resentful of as he was not promoted to detective. His core value seems to be defiance. Cynicism informs his every move about working the island, but despite the harsh words and terse manner, he’s got a really good heart.

## Production notes

### Development

On February 28, 2022, it was announced that David E. Kelley, the *Big Little Lies* creator, had scored a straight-to-series order at ABC for a drama series based on Michael Connelly’s short story. It was also announced that Kelley would write the pilot episode, and executive produce alongside co-creator, Connelly. The series is being produced by A+E Studios and 20th Television with Fineman Entertainment’s Ross Fineman executive producing alongside A+E Studios’ Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson. On April 12, 2022, it was announced that Dana Calvo had joined the series as an executive producer and showrunner. It was also announced that Rae Baron was a co-producer. On November 18, 2022, it was announced that ABC had passed on *Avalon*, after it was handed a straight-to-series order in February. The Disney-owned network is not moving forward with the project, which is based on a Michael Connelly short story, after it saw the pilot episode.

### Casting

On August 18, 2022, it was announced that Neve Campbell was cast in the lead role. A day later, Steven Pasquale joined the cast as the male lead opposite Campbell. On August 23, 2022, it was announced that Roslyn Ruff had joined the cast as a lead opposite Campbell. A day later, on August 24, it was announced that Alexa Mansour had joined the cast opposite Campbell. On August 29, 2022, it was announced that Demetrius Grosse had joined the cast as a lead opposite Campbell.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 David E. Kelley Lands Straight-To-Series Order For Adaptation Of Michael Connelly’s ‘Avalon’ At ABC
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 ‘Avalon’ Not Going Forward At ABC; David E. Kelley’s Neve Campbell-Led Drama Being Shopped Elsewhere
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Neve Campbell To Headline David E. Kelley’s ABC Drama Series ‘Avalon’
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Steven Pasquale Joins Neve Campbell In David E. Kelley’s ABC Drama Series ‘Avalon’
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 ‘Avalon’: Roslyn Ruff Joins David E. Kelley’s ABC Drama Series
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 ‘Avalon’: Alexa Mansour Joins David E. Kelley’s ABC Drama Series
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 ‘Avalon’: Demetrius Grosse Joins David E. Kelley’s ABC Drama Series
8. ↑ ‘Avalon’: Dana Calvo Set As Showrunner On David E. Kelley’s ABC Drama Series Adaptation