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Marcia Clark and Nancy Grace Toplining New A&E Series

The Hollywood Reporter

by: Mikey O'Connell
A&E is beefing up its unscripted slate with three of TV’s biggest legal personalities. Marcia Clark, Nancy Grace and Dan Abrams have nabbed new series at the network, both of them examining famous and infamous crimes and trials.

Both Marcia Clark Investigates the First 48 and Grace vs. Abrams will debut on March 29. And while both are tackling old cases, they’re taking decidedly different paths.

Clark’s series, produced for A&E by ITV Entertainment, will offer two-hour deep dives on the initial two days of notorious cases and some unsolved crimes. Her first subject is Casey Anthony.

“This series feels like a continuation of a mission I’ve been on my whole life,” said Clark. “To discover the truth, bring that truth to light and seek justice has always been a driving force for me. I couldn’t be more excited or more honored to be a part of it.”

“A&E is a leader in justice programming that is both captivating and impactful,” added network executive vp and head of programming Elaine Frontain Bryant. “With Marcia’s unrivaled knowledge and expertise leading the way, this series is an example of the brave storytelling necessary to question assumptions made and uncover the truths buried within the first 48 hours of these high profile cases.”

Clark didn’t credit her recent public revival, thanks to Sarah Paulson’s sympathetic portrayal of her on FX’s The People vs O.J. Simpson, with her new gig when promoting it on Sunday afternoon at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, but she did offer a new perspective on the project two years after it debuted.
“The FX series was the most bizarre, unexpected experience,” said Clark. “I never imagined that 20 years later, Ryan Murphy was going to shine a light on sexism in the courtroom — and Sarah Paulson, somehow without ever meeting me, delivered a performance of what it felt like to be me. It did seem to give people a truer picture of what it was like to be there.”Grace vs. Abrams will find its two titular attorneys breaking down cases and sparring about their differing points of view, much as they do on Good Morning America. Produced by Lincoln Square Productions, the show will be shot live in front of a Times Squares Studios audience.

“Nancy and Dan are smart, experienced attorneys with strong voices and equally strong opinions on legal matters,” said Frontain Bryant. “In Grace vs. Abrams, they will delve deeper into the stories and legal questions around infamous crimes and trials, providing viewers with a complete picture and explanation of the issues. And, of course, fighting over which of them is right.”