Merrin Dungey (Big Little Lies) has been cast opposite Hayley Atwell in ABC's legal drama pilot Conviction, from The Mark Gordon Co. and ABC Studios.

Co-created by Liz Friedman, who wrote the script, and Liz Friedlander, who will direct the pilot, Conviction stars Atwell as the brilliant but ne'er-do-well daughter of a former President who is blackmailed into taking a job as the head of Los Angeles' newly created Conviction Integrity Unit. She, along with her team of lawyers, investigators and forensic experts, work together to examine cases where there's credible suspicion that the wrong person may have been convicted of a crime.

Dungey will play Maxine, the lead investigator for the Conviction Integrity Unit. Maxine is a former NYPD detective from a cop family. She is tough and no-nonsense, but will find her previously unfailing loyalty to the badge tested as she delves into her former colleagues' cases. She joins recently announced cast members Shawn Ashmore, Emily Kinney and Manny Montana.

Dungey can be currently seen in HBO's Big Little Lies. Other credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Alias and features Deep Impact and EdTV among others. She is repped by Gersh, Industry Entertainment and attorney Marcy Morris.