“American Crime” Creator Says His Show Reflects How ‘We’re Living in a Different Country’

ABC/Felicia Graham(NEW YORK) — With diversity such a hot topic in Hollywood at the moment, ABC is premiering a new drama Thursday night that its creator says “really reflects the way we are in America right now.”

Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave writer John Ridley is behind American Crime, starring Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton. It tells the story of a home invasion murder and the aftermath, from different perspectives.

Ridley says his project explores various races and faiths, but it’s “not just about giving a nod to diversity.” He tells ABC Radio, “We’re living in a different country and the entertainment, the stories we tell, they have to reflect that.”

Ridley says the fact that his show will air on network TV, rather than on premium cable or on a streaming service, didn’t restrict him. Rather, it presented a fun challenge for him.

He notes, “If you have to rely on nudity or gratuitous language, if that’s all one has in their storytelling, I think you’re kind of limiting yourself. And there are places where we had to be more creative, and it was kind of fun to rise to the occasion.”

American Crime debuts at 10 p.m. Eastern time on ABC.


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