The second season of ABC's anthology crime series "Secret and Lies" has found a new male lead in Michael Ealy. 

Ealy will take over for Ryan Philippe, who announced shortly after the series earned a second season renewal that he would not be returning to the show. His departure in May left many viewers wondering what was in store for the drama series. 

Juliette Lewis, the only returning cast from season 1, will play the character of the unflappable detective Andrea Cornell. She will be in charge of a brand new investigation involving Eric Warner (Ealy) and his wife's murder.

At the beginning of the show, smart, educated Warner seems to have the world in his hands. He is expected to inherit his family's private equity firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, and just married the love of his life, Kate. While attending a party to honor his father's passing over the reins to him, tragedy strikes when he founds his wife murdered.

The first season of "Secrets and Lies" drew mixed receptions from the critiques, but still managed to perform well in the ratings. The show earned an average of 5.66 million viewers and a 1.5 rating in its first 10-episode run, according to Cheat Sheet. Whether the addition of Ealy to the cast can spike the ratings in the new season remains to be seen, however. 

The actor has previously starred in Fox's science fiction police drama, "Almost Human." He also portrayed a villainous role in the network's crime series, "The Following." Ealy was also seen on the big screen in "Think Like a Man," "Las Vegas," and "About Last Night."

Deadline also reported that he will star opposite Sanaa Lathan in Screen Gems' thriller, "The Perfect Guy," which will open in September.

"Secrets and Lies" season 2 will air on ABC at midseason and will take over the 10 p.m. time slot on Wednesdays nights.