ADVANCE REVIEW: The Cast May Not Be Enough to Save ABC’s New Series, “Big Sky”

Tonight, November 17, ABC will premiere its brand new show, Big Sky. Based off the book, The Highway by C.J. Box, the series follows private investigators, Cody Hoyt (Ryan Phillippe), Cassie Dewell (Kylie Bunbury) and ex-cop/Hoyt’s ex-wife, Jenny Hoyt (Katheryn Winnick) as they investigate the disappearance of two sisters, who were on their way to see one of the sister’s boyfriend in Montana. The case turns personal though when the Hoyts find out that one of the young ladies who disappeared, Danielle (Natalie Alyn Lind), is dating their son. Now, the trio must race against the clock to save the sisters before it is too late.

Created by David E. Kelly (Big Little Lies), the story has all the makings of being a really great show, but it plays out pretty much as one would expect. The sisters, namely Danielle, do some pretty stupid things that will leave viewers shaking their heads, while the drama between our three leads will leave viewers feeling as though they are watching a soap opera instead of a investigative drama. The writing feels a little lazy, but, thankfully, the cast makes the most of it.

Bunbury, Phillippe and Hoyt will have no problem leading this show, but they are going to have to work their butts off to keep the audience entertained. Having only previewed the first two episodes, these episodes have minor moments that will leave viewers jumping out of their seats, but even these moments may not be enough to keep people tuning in every week. I will say that Brian Geraghty’s Ronald Pergman and Jade Pettyjohn’s Grace (the other sister) are, so far, the best parts of the show. Geraghty’s performance is so eerily good. From the second he appears on the screen, his creepiness sky rockets and it never comes back down. Pettyjohn’s performance will have viewers hoping, that out of all of them, her character makes it out alive.

Like most Kelly projects, this one features a number of really great twists, but it takes some slow moving to get there. My only hope is that the premise of the series gets better or even the twists won’t be able to save the show.

Let us know what you think of the show after it premiere tonight at 10:01pm ET.