SERIES PREMIERE

SOCIAL INJUSTICE STIRS UP TENSIONS IN A CALIFORNIA CITY AFTER A SHOCKING CRIME CHANGES THE LIVES OF ALL THOSE INVOLVED, ON THE SERIES PREMIERE OF ABC'S "AMERICAN CRIME," THURSDAY, MARCH 5

"Episode One" - Following the home invasion murder of Matt Skokie - a war vet - and an assault on his wife Gwen, four suspects are brought into custody: Tony Gutiérrez, an impressionable teen who got in way over his head even under the watchful eye of his dedicated and hard-working father, Alonzo Gutiérrez. Hector Tontz, a young man who has lived life on the fringes of society and has made bad decisions just to survive. Carter Nix and Aubry Taylor, two incredibly lost souls whose addiction to drugs and to one another has become destructive and paralyzing.

Though the suspects fit a profile, they and their situations are far more complicated than anyone would have initially believed... as is true for the victims themselves. As Russ and Barb Skokie - divorced and estranged - arrive to both bury their son Matt, and seek a measure of justice for his killing, they discover their son may have been far from an innocent bystander in his own murder. Told from the points of view of all those involved, this new drama examines preconceptions on faith, family, gender, race, class and other aspects of our social experience with an approach and perspectives historically underserved in media, on the series premiere of "American Crime," THURSDAY, MARCH 5 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"American Crime" stars Felicity Huffman as Barb Hanlon, Timothy Hutton as Russ Skokie, W. Earl Brown as Tom Carlin, Richard Cabral as Hector Tontz, Caitlin Gerard as Aubry Taylor, Benito Martinez as Alonzo Gutiérrez, Penelope Ann Miller as Eve Carlin, Elvis Nolasco as Carter Nix, Johnny Ortiz as Tony Gutiérrez and guest starring Regina King as Aliyah Shadeed.

Guest Starring Marlyne Barrett as Chris Thompson, Keith Bogart as Reporter and Gleendilys Inoa as Jenny Gutiérrez

The pilot entitled "Episode One" was written and directed by John Ridley.

"American Crime" is created and executive produced by Oscar(R) winner John Ridley ("12 Years a Slave"). Michael J. McDonald also serves as executive producer. "American Crime" is produced by ABC Studios.

"American Crime" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-14,D,L,S,V parental guideline.

For more information about "American Crime" visit ABC.com/American Crime