UCO grad stars in new NBC drama

March 31, 2006

A University of Central Oklahoma graduate now has a starring role in the new NBC drama “Conviction.”

Milena Govich, who completed a double major in performance and pre-med at UCO in 1999, is playing “Jessica Rossia,” one of the seven Manhattan assistant district attorneys featured in the new Friday night crime series.

In the show, her character rises from a working-class household to become one of the stars of the office.

Conviction comes from executive producer Dick Wolf and is a spin-off of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Conviction is described as a character-driven show with multiple story lines.
Govich said it was her education at UCO that prepared her for this demanding role.

“UCO allowed me the flexibility to pursue many different interests. Because of that, I feel like I can approach any of my artistic projects with a well-rounded point-of-view,” Govich said.

Govich was a standout student during her time at UCO, acting and singing in musicals and opera, as well as playing violin in the orchestra and string quartet.

After graduation, she moved to New York and found her way to the Broadway stage within a year. She was first seen as a Kit-Kat girl in the Broadway revival of Cabaret and eventually moved up to the lead role as ”Sally Bowles” in the Broadway production.

Since then, she has appeared in numerous theater, television and film roles, including her most recent role as Candy in the FX series “Rescue Me.”

Conviction airs at 9 p.m. Friday nights on NBC.

Page updated 4/01/06