ABC’s newest series order brings a serialized legal and family drama based on true events to our small screens.
For Life has been in the making since October 2018, when it first received its pilot production commitment. In early February, later than most other shows slated for the 2019-2020 broadcast season, it received its official pilot order. Followed by the series order in May and the official announcement of the show as a mid-season replacement.
And just this November, the first trailer was released and For Life was confirmed to premiere on February 11, 2020.
The trailer, despite being only one minute long, is just as tear-jerking and heart-wrenching after watching it for the hundredth time as it was the first time. Appropriately accompanied by the song “Rise Up” by Andra Day, the trailer is definitely one for the books. Watch it below!
Who’s in charge?
For Life was created by Hank Steinberg (Without a Trace, The Nine), who not only wrote the pilot episode but is also set to executive produce the show. George Tillman Jr. (The Hate U Give) is credited as the executive producer and director of the pilot.
Joining him as executive producers are Alison Greenspan and Doug Robinson via Doug Robinson Productions. As well as the man whose life this show is based on Isaac Wright Jr. And last but not least Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is also executive producing visa his G-Unit Film & Television production company.
What’s the story?
For Life is inspired by the story of Isaac Wright Jr. and tells the fictionalized story of how a prisoner becomes a lawyer while locked up, litigating cases for his fellow inmates and struggles to overturn the life sentence he’s under for a crime he didn’t commit.
Fueled by the desire to be with his family again, Aaron Wallace is determined to take his life back and get home, using just– as he says in the trailer – “hard work and good will”.
Not only is For Life an awe-inspiring story of what love and hard work can do, but it also puts the country’s legal and penal system right under the lens of a microscope.
Who will we see on For Life?
Nicholas Pinnock (Marcella, Counterpart) will play the show’s protagonist Aaron Wallace. While his family members – estranged wife Marie and his pregnant daughter Jasmine – will be played by Joy Bryant (Parenthood, Trinkets) and Tyla Harris (Coins for Christmas, Six), respectively.
Safiya Masry, the prison’s progressive female warden, will be portrayed by Indira Varma. Who will add this to her already impressive film and TV history which includes Game of Thrones, Luther, Paranoid, and more recently, Carnival Row.
The casting announcements also include Mary Stuart Masterson, Boris McGiver, Dorian Missick, Glenn Fleshler, and Timothy Busfield as part of the show’s cast.
Masterson will play the current Attorney General and Safiya’s wife Anya. McGiver will play District Attorney Maskins who’s trying to unseat Anya. With Missick playing Aaron’s best friend and fellow inmate Jamal. Busfield playing Aaron’s friend and legal mentor Roswell. And Fleshler playing Frank although not much more is know about who frank is of what’s his relation to Aaron.
For all fans of true-to-life crime and legal dramas, For Life looks to be one that’ll leave you in tears after every episode. Catch it on ABC starting February 11, 2020.