Viola Davis stars in “How to Get Away With Murder”

Original ideas and the ability to showcase them on TV is becoming more of a challenge as the years progress. Spinoffs and knockoffs are a dime a dozen, fuelled by fans' undying support and loyalty towards their favorite shows. In an age of television that plays host to a magnitude of genres ranging from toddlers in fashion shows to auctioning off abandoned storage units, ABC has uncovered crucial evidence to solving this mystery. Catch a new episode of "How to Get Away With Murder" airing Thursday, Nov. 20, on ABC.

The idea of a legal drama isn't exactly as played out as your typical crime series, but it certainly isn't the most original. Over the years, fans have played witness to countless shows involving the court room. "Law & Order," Ally McBeal," "Suits," "Franklin & Bash" -- all of these incorporate the law through their own interpretation, whether it be drama, comedy or your plain Jane mystery.

"How to Get Away With Murder," on the other hand, brings a new perspective to the small screen as it blends actors established in their career with the up-and-comers, and both sides provide their own insight.

Two-time Oscar nominee Viola Davis ("The Help," 2011) stars as Annalise Keating, a defense attorney and law professor at the fictional Middleton University in Philadelphia. She believes that instead of teaching the fundamentals of law and the logistics within it, her students will benefit more by learning what all killers hope to do -- get away with murder. The controversy doesn't stop there, as Annalise's character is one that will do all that is necessary, legal or not, to ensure her success in the courtroom.

If you haven't noticed already, Annalise's method of teaching doesn't exactly line up with your average professor. In the series premiere, one of Annalise's clients is convicted of the attempted murder of her lover with aspirin, to which her significant other is deathly allergic. As a learning exercise for her class, she asks her students how they would approach the case. While several answers are given, Annalise takes notice of a select few. Annalise views her classroom as a running interview -- those who succeed and impress will work alongside her at her law firm.

Leading the cast of students is Alfred Enoch ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," 2005) as Wes Gibbons, an eager student recently accepted from the school's wait list. Joining him are Aja Naomi King ("Emily Owens, M.D.") as the ambitious Michaela Pratt, Matt McGorry ("Orange is the New Black") as Asher Millstone, Karla Souza ("The Jesuit," 2014) as Laurel Castillo, and Jack Falahee ("Twisted") as Connor Walsh. The characters' backgrounds vary in ethnicity, education and sexuality.

Peter Nowalk, creator of "How to Get Away With Murder," explained the importance of the cast's culture in an interview with "Variety" in July. "We're not color blind to who these people are," he said. "Their identities and their sexuality and everything about them will become a potential story, and so why would you want everyone to be the same? To me, it just opens up your story well and God knows you need it."

Alfred Enoch as seen in “How to Get Away With Murder”

The open attitude and promotion of equality in all forms goes hand in hand with anything that the show's executive producer, Shonda Rhimes, is associated with. Rhimes, the creator, head writer and executive producer of "Grey's Anatomy," is no stranger to alternative character development and obscure plot twists, involving all walks of life. Further proof of this is in the pudding, as she wears the same hats for the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff "Private Practice," as well as the political thriller series "Scandal."

In an interview with "The Independent" in September, she elaborated on her writing style and the freedom it allows her. "People talk about casting and ask whether it's changing, and I never know how to answer," she said. "[The question] seems to suggest that there's some sense in which a diverse cast isn't allowed. I write the stories I want to write, with the characters I want to write."

While "Grey's Anatomy" used flashbacks to describe character origins and fill in plot holes, "How to Get Away With Murder" takes the opposite approach, using flash-forward segments throughout each episode. In the series premiere, a scene occurs that's set three months into the show's future. Wes, Connor, Laurel and Michaela are arguing with one another in their professor's home with her nowhere in sight. Although they're arguing, they do agree on one simple fact -- they must remove a dead body from the premises without alerting the police.

While crime and drama shows are generally synonymous, "How to Get Away With Murder" provides a fresh take on how the law is not only perceived, but how it can be used and manipulated based on who enforces it. With the show being limited to 15 episodes this season, each chapter is jam-packed with controversial plot points and character developments. Catch an all-new episode of "How to Get Away With Murder" airing Thursday, Nov. 20, on ABC.