ShareThisBy DAVE MASON
A real-life story inspired a fictional drama about a family trying to escape from the law.
"I heard this story on NPR about a family on the run for 15 years. I thought that was a great premise for the show," said "Runaway" executive producer Darren Star ("Beverly Hills 90210") at a CW network party. "It's about how it affects the family and how they had to change their identities."
So was born "Runaway," which premieres at 9 p.m. EDT Monday (Sept. 25) on the CW. The series, created by co-executive producer Chad Hodge, stars Donnie Wahlberg as Paul Rader, who was falsely accused of murdering his mistress, an associate at his law firm. He becomes a fugitive from justice, taking wife Lily (Leslie Hope of "24" and "Commander in Chief") and their three children with him.
Paul isn't just trying to stay out of prison. There's a bigger reason why he feels he must take his family to a town where their faces aren't known. It's revealed in Monday's episode, which features some surprises and a suspenseful but predictable ending.
There are three main questions in the "Runaway" storyline: How close will the FBI get to tracking down the Raders, who have moved to Bridgewater, Iowa, under the false name of the Hollands? What will Paul discover as he tries to prove his innocence? And how well do family members adjust to all the pretending?
While the action and mystery aspects work well, it's the family questions that Star said intrigue him the most.
Oldest child Henry (Dustin Milligan), who's in high school, finds it difficult because he must leave his girlfriend behind. It's also tough for 8-year-old son Tommy (Nathan Gamble). His parents are telling him to do something that they have taught him is wrong: lie. And it's not easy for him to keep all the lies straight.
But not everyone is unhappy with the new life. Teenage daughter Hannah (Sarah Ramos of "American Dreams") sees it as an opportunity to become the popular student she never was, Ramos said. "She's getting to make new friends."
Ironically, in "Runaway," a dysfunctional family finds that it must become more functional in order to maintain the lies.
Hiding their real identities takes communication and cooperation _despite the anger toward Paul. Lily, for example, must change her identity to help a husband who cheated on her.
"She's betrayed by him, and she loves him," Hope said.
(Contact Dave Mason at damson(at)VenturaCountyStar.com.)
