prime time
Prime time or the peak time is the block of broadcast programming taking place during the middle of the evening for a television show. It is mostly targeted towards adults (and sometimes families). It is used by the major television networks to ...
soap opera
A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...
television series that aired on
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
. The series, created by
Liz Heldens
Elizabeth Heldens is a television writer and producer. She is the creator of ''Deception'', a drama on NBC which premiered on January 7, 2013. She has worked on the NBC drama series '' Friday Night Lights''. She was nominated for a Writers Gui ...
, premiered on Monday, January 7, 2013.
On May 8, 2013, NBC canceled the series after one season.
Plot
When Vivian Bowers, a famous socialite, is found dead in a motel room from what appears to be a
drug overdose
A drug overdose (overdose or OD) is the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities much greater than are recommended.
, her estranged best friend Detective Joanna Locasto is re-embraced by the wealthy Bowers family. In time, she begins to uncover the truth of what really happened to her friend and who was behind the death.
Characters
Main
* Joanna Locasto (played by
Meagan Good
Meagan Monique Good is an American actress. She first gained critical attention for her role in the film ''Eve's Bayou'' (1997), prior to landing the role of Nina in the Nickelodeon sitcom ''Cousin Skeeter'' (1998–2001). Good received further ...
): A
detective
A detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crimes by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases. This leads th ...
from the San Francisco Police Department and old friend of the Bowers family. She is working undercover with FBI agent Moreno to investigate Vivian's death. Joanna is asked to stay undercover by Haverstock, who wants to get the evidence needed to put Robert away for Vivian's murder.
* Robert Bowers (played by
Victor Garber
Victor Joseph Garber (born March 16, 1949) is a Canadian-American actor and singer. Known for his work in film, television, and theatre, he has been nominated for three Gemini Awards, four Tony Awards, and six Primetime Emmy Awards. He has also ...
): The founder and
CEO
A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...
of a pharmaceutical company and the father of Vivian, Edward, and Julian. Robert is revealed to have murdered Vivian, yet the motive behind this was not revealed.
* Sophia Bowers (played by
Katherine LaNasa
Katherine LaNasa (born December 1, 1966) is an American actress, former ballet dancer and choreographer. She starred in films ''Jayne Mansfield's Car'', '' The Campaign'', and ''The Frozen Ground''. On television, LaNasa had a leading role in the ...
): Robert's second wife and former
secretary
A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a w ...
. It is revealed that Robert only married Sophia because people believed that he got her pregnant when it was Vivian who was pregnant by Haverstock.
* Edward Bowers (played by
Tate Donovan
Tate Buckley Donovan (born September 25, 1963) is an American actor, comedian and television director. He is known for portraying Tom Shayes in ''Damages'', Jimmy Cooper in ''The O.C.'', and the voice of the title character in the 1997 Disney ...
): Robert's older son by his first wife.
* Mia Bowers (played by
Ella Rae Peck
Ella Rae Peck is an American actress. She portrayed the roles of Lola Rhodes, Charlotte "Lola" Rhodes in The CW series ''Gossip Girl'' and Mia Bowers in the NBC series ''Deception (2013 U.S. TV series), Deception''.
Life and career
Peck was born ...
): Haverstock and Vivian's biological daughter who was raised as Robert and Sophia's daughter. Mia gives Haverstock bone marrow because she is the only one who can be his donor.
* Will Moreno (played by
Laz Alonso Laz or LAZ may refer to:
People
* Laz people of the Black Sea area
**Laz language
First name
* Laz Alonso (born 1975), American actor
* Laz Barrera (1924–1991), Cuban-born American racehorse trainer
* Laz-D (born 1982), American rapper
*Laz Dí ...
): An
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and its principal Federal law enforcement in the United States, federal law enforcement age ...
agent investigating Vivian Bowers' death and the Bowers family.
* Julian Bowers (played by
Wes Brown
Wesley Michael Brown (born 13 October 1979) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Brown began his career with Manchester United, joining the club's academy at the age of 12 in 1992. After turning professional ...
): Robert's younger son by his first wife and Joanna's Boyfriend.
* Samantha Bowers (played by
Marin Hinkle
Marin Elizabeth Hinkle (born March 23, 1966) is an American actress. Among many television and movie roles, she is best known for playing Judy Brooks on the ABC television drama ''Once and Again'', Judith Harper-Melnick on the CBS sitcom ''Two an ...
): Edward's estranged wife.
Recurring
* Vivian Bowers (played by
Bree Williamson
Bree Williamson Roberts (born December 28, 1979) is a Canadian actress.
Career
After graduating from Bayview Glen School, she completed her education at the University of Toronto. She played the role of Jessica Buchanan on the ABC soap opera ''O ...
): A socialite who is the daughter of Robert and his first wife and an old friend of Joanna Locasto. She is Mia's biological mother, but was raised as her sister. Her friendship with Joanna was strained due to Vivian's drug addiction. Vivian was found dead in a motel room following a supposed drug overdose. It turned out that Vivian was murdered by Robert.
* Tom Vanderfield (played by
Geoffrey Cantor
Geoffrey N. Cantor (born 1943) is Emeritus Professor of the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds and Honorary Senior Research Associate at UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies at University College London. He h ...
): The Bowers' family attorney.
* Dwight Haverstock (played by
John Larroquette
John Bernard Larroquette (; born November 25, 1947) is an American actor. He is known for his starring roles in the NBC military drama series '' Baa Baa Black Sheep'' (1976–1978), the NBC sitcom ''Night Court'' (1984–1992; for which he recei ...
): A
senator
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
with a dark past and Mia's biological father. Haverstock asks Joanna to stay undercover because he wants the evidence needed to put Robert away for murder. Haverstock has said that he was in love with Vivian.
* Beverly Padget (played by
S. Epatha Merkerson
Sharon Epatha Merkerson (born November 28, 1952) is a film, stage, and television actor. Known by her stage name S. Epatha Merkerson, she has received numerous high-profile accolades for her work, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, ...
): Joanna’s mother.
* Kyle Farrell (played by
David A. Gregory
David Andrew Gregory (born August 19, 1985) is an American actor and writer. He portrayed Robert Ford on the soap opera ''One Life to Live'' from 2009 until the show ended in 2012. He wrote and produced “Powder Burns”, the scripted Western p ...
): Mia's boyfriend. Haverstock blackmailed Kyle into getting close to Mia so that he could convince her to save his life. Kyle grew to care for Mia and told her the truth before she gave Haverstock her bone marrow.
* Nichole Frishette (played by Anna Wood): Former journalist who is later killed (appeared in six episodes).