‘Resurrection,’ it’s got a shot

One in a series of Media Life previews of new midseason shows.

Show

ABC’s “Resurrection”

Timeslot

Sundays at 9 p.m.; premieres March 9

Plot summary

What if a boy who died when he was 6 years old was resurrected three decades later? The series attempts to answer that question.

After young Jacob is found in China, he’s brought home to the United States to his bewildered parents (Kurtwood Smith and Frances Fisher), who buried his body 32 years ago.

As the family deals with their son’s sudden return, the rest of the world debates whether the boy has really been resurrected from the dead, as the religious faithful believe, or if it’s all just a hoax. The show explores questions of faith related to resurrection.

The immigration agent (Omar Epps) who returned Jacob begins his own investigation into how the boy got to China. Things really get complicated when more dead people show up alive, too.

The show is based on a book by Jason Mott.

Outlook

“Resurrection” has a very interesting premise, and the acting and plot development are good.

But it’s been a long time since a supernatural-themed show did well for more than a few months on broadcast.

Viewers tend to lose interest in such complex serialized shows quickly. NBC’s “Revolution,” for instance, debuted well but saw its audience fall by more than half in its first season.

“Resurrection” is also sandwiched between two ABC shows, “Once Upon a Time” and “Revenge,” whose best seasons are behind them.

ABC has been trying to launch a third drama on Sunday night for two years. Initially it used the 10 p.m. slot for new shows, but after flops including “666 Park Avenue” and “Betrayal,” it is moving “Revenge” to 10 and putting the new show at 9.

That seems like a good idea in theory.

But “Once” isn’t strong enough to carry a lead-out anymore, and despite “Resurrection’s” fantastical concept, it’s not a soapy drama like “Once” or “Revenge,” so it may not be a great fit between them.

Still, ABC gave the show a big promotional push the past few weeks, including ads on Sunday’s Oscars.

If the show delivers on its creative promise, people will tune in no matter what airs around it.

What media people are saying

Buyers are hopeful about “Resurrection.”

They like the concept of the show, and they think ABC has the right idea sticking with drama in the hour rather than trying something new, like reality or comedy.

However, they note that NBC also has a sci fi-type show debuting in the 9 p.m. timeslot on March 16, and that could mean the networks are competing for the same viewers.

“‘Resurrection’ has an impressive team behind the camera and a compelling storyline-and a great deal of buzz thanks to heavy promotion from ABC,” says Tracie Chinetti, associate director of broadcast at Boston agency Fuseideas.

“It is up against another new fantasy-themed drama ‘Believe,’ this one from J.J. Abrams and recent Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón. This could cause some viewer confusion, but the advantage goes to ABC as NBC’s Sunday lineup is weaker overall.”

TV critic’s take

“With the arrival of yet another dearly departed Arcadian (with perhaps more to come, I’m guessing), ‘Resurrection’ shifts gears and more comfortably settles into the steady and harmless nonsense of an episodic mystery, combining a whodunnit with the allure of a paranormal investigation.”

- Hank Stuever, The Washington Post

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