The CW is announcing its winter 2024 schedule, which includes the new crime drama Wild Cards. What’s it about, and why should it be watched when it debuts in January?
The CW has been in some flux in the last year thanks to the various behind-the-scenes drama involving the network taken over by Nexstar. That led to the cancellation of scores of shows from Walker Independence to Kung Fu to the “Arrowverse” superhero shows. The network is moving to more reality TV programs yet is keeping to some scripted shows.
Among them is Wild Cards, which was ordered to series in the summer and will be one of the few original scripted dramas The CW still airs in 2024. So, what is this new series about?
What is Wild Cards about?
Described by the network via TVLine as a comedic procedural crime show, Wild Cards focuses on Cole Ellis, a cop who got blamed for a case gone wrong and working for the maritime unit. He arrests Max Mitchell, a roaming con artist who accidentally helps Cole solve a crime. Naturally, this leads to the pair forming an unusual team, with Max trying to work off her criminal charges, aiding Cole with her wild con ways clashing with his by-the-book style.
"“Cole Ellis (Gianniotti) is a demoted detective who has begrudgingly spent the last year on the maritime unit, while Max Mitchell (Morgan) has been living a transient life elaborately scamming everyone she meets. But while arrested and being held at the station, Max ends up helping Ellis solve a local crime. The two are offered the opportunity to redeem themselves — Ellis needs to get back to his detective post, and Max needs to stay out of jail. The catch? They have to work together, each using their unique skills to solve crimes. For Ellis, that means hard-boiled shoe leather police work; for Max, it means accents, disguises, schemes and generally befriending everyone in sight, while driving Ellis absolutely nuts. The two will have to learn what it means to trust another person and maybe actually become partners.”"
Who stars in Wild Cards?
Vanessa Morgan plays Max, fresh off her long run as Toni Topaz on The CW hit Riverdale. Giacomo Gianniotti. from Grey’s Anatomy, is Cole, with Jason Priestly just added to the cast as George, Max’s con artist father who is in prison but still wields some influence.
- Vanessa Morgan as Max Mitchell
- Giacomo Gianniotti as Cole Ellis
- Jason Priestly as George Mitchell
- Amy Goodmurphy as Detective Yates
- Thomas Darya as Adam
When does Wild Cards premiere?
The 10-episode series will premiere Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, at 8/7c. It will act as a lead-in for the third season of the Canadian legal dramedy Family Law.
With two fun leads and a classic setup of a cop and a crook forced to work together, Wild Cards may be ready to deal in crime show fans when it premieres in early 2024.
Wild Cards premieres on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 at 8/7c on The CW.