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Jun 06, 2013 By Lily Moayeri Web Exclusive

The premise for Graceland is a combination of FBI, DEA, and ICE undercover agents living in a tricked-out beachfront property in Southern California. Straight-laced newbie agent Mike Warren (Gossip Girl‘s Aaron Tveit), a standout Quantico graduate, arrives to train with superstar agent Paul Briggs (Rescue Me‘s Daniel Sunjata). In the pilot, a Russian cartel is taken down through an impressive web of lies, including one that covers up a questionable shooting by Briggs. “Your lies are your life,” Briggs says to Mike. Lies are also what drives Graceland. As is revealed by the end of the pilot, Mike’s real assignment is to investigate Briggs.

Created by White Collar‘s Jeff Eastin, Graceland is inspired by true events, which become increasingly more brutal and raw with each episode, including agent Charlie Demarco (24‘s Vanessa Ferlito) getting hooked on heroin. Grainy, slanted cinematography that is blurry and saturated with color breaks up the show’s intricate storylines with a ‘60s feel. Those storylines, plus colorful characters, including fun-loving Johnny (Chicago Code‘s Manny Montana) and playful Paige (Breakout Kings’ Serinda Swan) make Graceland worth the trip (www.usanetwork.com/series/graceland)

Author rating: 6/10