or


· there are no related dvds for this project






ADVOCATE, THE (ABC)
DEVELOPMENT HISTORY:
8/28/14 - 11/4/16
STATUS:
previously in development (2015-2016 season)
DEVELOPMENT STAGE:
ordered to pilot
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
network passed on 5/8/15
DESCRIPTION:
(from ABC's press release, March 2015) Francis "Frankie" Reese (Kim Raver) knows everyone in Hollywood and they know her. As a top talent agent, she thrives on pressure. But shortly after a death in the family, part of her face becomes paralyzed. Doctors tell her that it is stress related and should go away. One day at a coffee house, while she talks to her ex-husband about their teenage son, Tommy, a woman stares at her face. Frankie tells her, "It's called Bell's Palsy." But this woman, Ryan (Joy Bryant), tells her that she doesn't have Bell's Palsy and refers Frankie to a specialist who diagnoses the real problem - a brain tumor. After surgery and recovery Frankie returns to a warm welcome from her agency and clients. But somehow she is over it. Frankie wants to help others who are overlooked or misdiagnosed by the medical system. She starts her own medical advocacy business with the woman at the café who changed her life, Dr. Ryan Clarke. The two make a good team. Ryan is the brains of the operation and Frankie is the muscle. Ryan is a caring doctor and great researcher looking for what doctors may have overlooked. Frankie puts her agent skills to work convincing, charming, and negotiating with doctors, hospitals and insurance companies. Frankie is not above using Ryan's beauty to get a hospital bed or a lifesaving treatment. Their team also includes receptionist Brett, the immaculately dressed gatekeeper and money guy, Chris Holiday, who is involved with Ryan. Whether they are well paid or working pro bono, this team will find a way to get the right care and diagnosis for their clients. Inspired by the true story of writer Sheldon Turner's (Up in the Air, X-Men: First Class) former agent, Byrdie Lifson-Pompan, who will consult. Turner will executive produce with Jennifer Klein (Pearl Harbor).
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Coby Bell as Chris Holiday
· Elliot Knight as Brett
· Freddie Thorp as Tommy Reese
· Joy Bryant as Ryan Clarke
· Kim Raver as Francis "Frankie" Reese
CREW INFORMATION:
· Byrdie Lifson-Pompan as CP
· Jennifer Klein as EP
· Michael M. Robin as DIR (Pilot)
· Sheldon Turner as CRTR/EP
· Valerie Ulene as CP
GENRE(S):
· drama
STUDIO INFORMATION:
· Vendetta Productions
· Warner Bros. Television