SERIES PREMIERE

RYAN PHILLIPPE AND JULIETTE LEWIS STAR IN ABC'S EXPLOSIVE NEW DRAMA "SECRETS AND LIES," WHICH PREMIERES, SUNDAY, MARCH 1

"Secrets and Lies" Features a Two-Hour Series Premiere Beginning at 9:00 p.m., ET

Ryan Phillippe portrays Ben Crawford, a handsome and decent family man, who will never be the same after he discovers the body of his neighbor's young son in the woods. Even as Detective Andrea Cornell, played by Juliette Lewis, digs for the truth in her investigation and pegs Ben as a "person of interest," the case unfolds from Ben's unique perspective -- whether he is guilty or not. In trying to clear his name, it is Ben who peels back the layers of these suburbanites' lives in their quiet cul de sac, revealing their dirty little deceptions and all-too-crowded closets overflowing with skeletons in this 10-episode thrilling who-done-it.

In the first hour, in the pilot entitled "The Trail," Ben is out for his usual morning jog when he comes upon the body of young Tom Murphy. After the news begins to spread throughout town, Detective Cornell, who's been assigned to the case, pays Ben a visit for routine questioning. In the blink of an eye, Ben quickly turns from Good Samaritan to murder suspect. As the formidable detective searches for the facts, the media hone in on Ben and his family, and he struggles to escape from the pressure. From that point on, Ben's life is turned upside down as he sets out on a complicated journey to prove his innocence, on the two-hour premiere of "Secrets and Lies," SUNDAY, MARCH 1 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

In the second hour, in the episode entitled "The Father," Ben decides to take matters into his own hands by investigating those that were closest to Tom after receiving shocking information about the case from Detective Cornell. Jess, Tom's mother, propels Ben in the direction of her estranged husband, Scott, who she believes may be his killer. At home, Ben's family continues to drift apart when he overhears his oldest daughter, Natalie, on a suspicious phone call. Later, the family attends Tom's funeral where the media continues to harass Ben and he is the focus of excruciating attention by the community. When the Crawford family returns home, one of Ben's dark secrets is revealed in stunning fashion.

Editor's note: "Secrets and Lies" will air in its regular time period beginning Sunday, March 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Is Ben innocent or guilty? He is fighting to keep his marriage, kids, job and reputation, and he is barely clinging to his sanity. As the investigation progresses, the close knit community starts to come apart at the seams, unraveling until the jaw-dropping conclusion.

"Secrets and Lies" stars Ryan Phillippe as Ben Crawford, Juliette Lewis as Detective Cornell, KaDee Strickland as Christy Crawford, Natalie Martinez as Jess Murphy, Dan Fogler as Dave Lindsey, Indiana Evans as Natalie Crawford and Belle Shouse as Abby Crawford.

Guest stars in "The Trail" include Melissa Gilbert as Lisa Daly, GregAlan Williams as Kevin Williams, Denise Dowse as Elaine Williams, Kate Ashfield as Vanessa Richardson, Steven Brand as Dr. Joseph Richardson and Eric Lange as Danny Pierce.

Guest stars in "The Father" include Melissa Gilbert as Lisa Daly, GregAlan Williams as Kevin Williams, Denise Dowse as Elaine Williams, Kate Ashfield as Vanessa Richardson, Steven Brand as Dr. Joseph Richardson, Benjamin Ciaramello as Scott Murphy, Tad Cooley as Matt Daly, Eric Lange as Danny Pierce, Meaghan Rath as Nicole and Timothy Busfield as John Garner.

"The Trail" was written by Barbie Kligman and directed by Charles McDougall. "The Father" was written by Barbie Kligman and directed by Timothy Busfield. Executive producers for the series are Barbie Kligman for Avenue K Productions, Aaron Kaplan for Kapital Entertainment, Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield for Hoodlum Entertainment and Timothy Busfield. "Secrets and Lies" is a production of ABC Studios.

"Secrets and Lies" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

For more information about "Secrets and Lies" visit ABC.com/SecretsandLies