The show was set in the fictional southern town of Corinth, Mississippi, and it focused on the power struggles and familial relationships of the town’s two largest newspapers, the Gazette and the Chronicle. The Gazette was run by the Kennedys, a family of “saints” who prided themselves on their moral values and commitment to good journalism. Meanwhile, the Chronicle was run by the Logans, a family of “sinners” who were willing to do whatever it took to get ahead.
The main character of the series was Howard Bellamy, the editor of the Gazette. Howard was played by actor Nick Adams, who was previously known for his work in films such as Rebel Without a Cause and The Rebel. Howard was a strong-willed and principled journalist who often found himself at odds with the corrupt practices of the Chronicle.
Another major character in the series was Jack Ewing, played by actor John Larkin. Jack was the publisher of the Chronicle and the father of Clay Ewing, who dated Howard’s daughter Liz. Jack had a troubled relationship with his son and often found himself clashing with the Kennedys over their differing moral values.
The show was praised for its realistic depiction of the newspaper industry and its portrayal of the complex relationships between the characters. The show’s creator, Adrian Spies, was himself a former journalist and drew on his own experiences to create the series.
One of the most notable episodes of the series was the season one finale, “The Other Cheek.” In the episode, Liz Bellamy is raped by Clay Ewing, who is then murdered by Howard in revenge. The episode was controversial at the time for its frank depiction of sexual assault and the graphic violence of Clay’s death.
Despite its critical acclaim, Saints and Sinners struggled in the ratings and was cancelled after two seasons. However, the show has since gained a cult following and has been noted for its influence on later television dramas such as Dallas and Dynasty.
In conclusion, Saints and Sinners was a groundbreaking television drama that explored the power struggles and moral dilemmas of the newspaper industry. The series was praised for its realistic portrayal of the complex relationships between the characters and its willingness to tackle controversial subject matter. Although the show was cancelled after two seasons, it has since become a cult classic and remains a notable influence on the television dramas that followed.