American Crime (2015)

A fearless anthology drama by John Ridley that holds a mirror to race, justice, and the fractured soul of the American legal system.

American Crime - Series Information

  • Original Title: American Crime
  • First Air Year: 2015
  • Last Air Year: 2017
  • Created by: John Ridley
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Drama, Crime, Mystery
  • Content Rating (US): TV-14
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 3
  • Number of Episodes: 29
  • Status: Canceled
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: March 5, 2015 (United States - TV-14), March 5, 2015 (Germany - 18), March 5, 2015 (France - 12), March 5, 2015 (Australia - MA 15+), March 5, 2015 (Brazil - 14), March 5, 2015 (Spain - 18)
  • Networks: ABC
  • Alternative Titles: Американское преступление (RU), 美国罪恶 (CN)
  • Production Companies: ABC Studios, International Famous Players Radio Pictures Corporation, #LiveLikeLisa, Stearns Castle
  • Production Countries: United States of America

American Crime - Plot

An anthology drama focusing on all aspects of the U.S. criminal justice system dealing with crimes committed in America.

American Crime - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the drama unfold:

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American Crime - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • John Ridley

Main Cast

  • Felicity Huffman
  • Timothy Hutton
  • Regina King
  • Lili Taylor
  • Richard Cabral
  • Elvis Nolasco
  • Benito Martinez
  • Connor Jessup
  • W. Earl Brown
  • Penelope Ann Miller

Writers

  • John Ridley
  • Sonay Hoffman
  • Keith Huff
  • Julie Hébert
  • Davy Perez

American Crime - FAQs

What is American Crime about?

American Crime is an anthology drama that examines the U.S. criminal justice system through a different crime story each season. It tackles race, class, gender, and morality with unflinching honesty, featuring a rotating ensemble cast navigating the human cost of crime and punishment in contemporary America.

Does American Crime tell a different story each season?

Each season of American Crime presents a completely new story with new characters, though many of the same actors return in different roles. Season 1 centers on a murder case, Season 2 tackles sexual assault at a private school, and Season 3 explores labor trafficking and exploitation.

Who created American Crime?

American Crime was created by John Ridley, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter behind 12 Years a Slave. Ridley brought his sharp eye for systemic injustice and racial tension to the series, serving as showrunner and writing multiple episodes across all three seasons.

Why was American Crime cancelled after three seasons?

ABC cancelled American Crime in 2017 after three seasons, primarily due to low ratings despite strong critical acclaim. The show never found a wide mainstream audience, though it earned significant awards recognition. Creator John Ridley has spoken about the difficulty of sustaining a challenging, prestige-level anthology on a broadcast network.

Who are the main actors in American Crime?

The series features a rotating ensemble that includes Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Regina King, Lili Taylor, Richard Cabral, Elvis Nolasco, Benito Martinez, Connor Jessup, W. Earl Brown, and Penelope Ann Miller, with many returning in entirely new roles each season.

Did American Crime win any awards?

American Crime earned considerable awards recognition during its run. Regina King won back-to-back Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for Seasons 1 and 2. The show also received nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and earned praise for its writing and ensemble performances.

Where can you watch American Crime?

American Crime is available to purchase or rent digitally through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It is not currently available on a subscription streaming platform, so purchasing individual seasons or episodes is the primary way to watch.

How many episodes does American Crime have?

American Crime ran for 29 episodes across three seasons on ABC. Season 1 contains 11 episodes, Season 2 has 10 episodes, and Season 3 wraps up the series with 8 episodes. Each season tells a self-contained story, so episodes are best watched in order within each season.

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