ABC Orders Drama ‘Avalon’ From David E. Kelley

ABC has given a straight-to-series order for next season to drama “Avalon” from David E. Kelley, which is based on a short story by Michael Connelly in book “When A Stranger Comes to Down” and is set in the titular community on Southern California’s Catalina Island, where L.A. Sheriff’s Detective Nicole “Nic” Searcy leads a small office. The logline: With a permanent population of about 4,000 that serves more than a million tourists each year, the island sees hundreds of potential stories arrive by ferry each day. Searcy is pulled into a career-defining mystery that will challenge everything she knows about herself and the island.

Kelley and Connelly are co-creators and executive producers, and Kelley will write the first episode of the series. “Avalon” comes from Big Sky producers A+E Studios and 20th Television. A+E Studios and executive producer Ross Fineman are also behind “The Lincoln Lawyer”, which is due to premiere on Netflix later this year.

“Being on a project with David E. Kelley again is amazing,” said Michael Connelly. “This whole team of David, A+E and Ross Fineman has been wonderful to work with previously; and now joining up with ABC, well, I can’t wait to start. Catalina is full of mystery and good storytelling. We’re going to put it on the screen.”

The number of episodes ordered for “Avalon” has not been announced.