Back in 2011, I saw Matthew McConaughey play Mickey Haller, defense attorney with a weakness for riding around in Lincolns. I’m sure McConaughey and his backers were hoping for a hit movie that would become a franchise where McConaughey could make another Lincoln Lawyer movie every other year and extend his career–and make money for all involved.
That didn’t happen. But, now in 2022, the Lincoln lawyer is back, this time as a series on Netflix. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo plays a troubled Los Angeles lawyer who has two beautiful ex-wives and a former drug addiction that still haunts him. When a lawyer is assassinated, Mickey Haller discovers the lawyer left his entire law practice to him. And, the prime asset in the bunch is the case of the Silicon Valley billionaire techie who’s charged with killing his wife and her lover, a yoga instructor.
This Netflix series, 10 episodes, is based on Michael Connelly’s 2008 crime novel, The Brass Verdict. The series, created for television by David E. Kelley and developed by Ted Humphrey, shows Mickey Haller under pressure in several cases to make sense of the mess the murdered lawyer left him.
I like Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller very much. I also like Neve Campbell as Maggie McPherson, Mickey’s first wife and a criminal prosecutor. And, Becki Newton as Lorna Crain, Mickey’s second wife and his legal aide, lights up the screen.
This series features a couple of exceptional minor characters: Jazz Raycole as Izzy Letts, a former addict and client of Mickey, now working as his personal driver and Angus Sampson as Cisco, Mickey’s friend, former biker, and private investigator.
I’m halfway through the series, but I’m hoping to binge the remaining episodes in a few days. Don’t miss this one! GRADE: A
I might not miss it. Campbell’s an old favorite.
Todd, after being disappointed by MOON KNIGHT and OUTER RANGE, I’m enjoying THE LINCOLN LAWYER.
Hello, George! The only Michael Connelly novel I have read till date (my bad, as kids say these days) is THE LAW OF INNOCENCE (2020) where Mickey Haller is his own client in a murder rap. Harry Bosch (his brother-in-law, if I remember correctly) plays second fiddle. Given that I liked the novel as well as Connelly’s narrative style, I’m looking for forward to watching the Netflix series.
Prashant, welcome back! We’ve missed you! Michael Connelly’s work is everywhere on the streaming services: BOSCH: LEGACY on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO and THE LINCOLN LAWYER on Netflix.
Thank you, George. Since we subscribe to both as well as Disney+ Hotstar (a local tie-up), I will try and watch BOSCH: LEGACY too. I’m currently watching, on Netflix, a limited series based on one of Harlan Coben’s books, and there are quite a few. SHETLAND, based on some of Ann Cleeves’ novels, was really good.
Prashant, the content on Netflix and Disney+ Hotter should keep you busy for weeks! I think the Meyersons watched SHETLAND and liked it.
Bosch is his half brother.
Steve, it would have been cool to have Bosch show up in THE LINCOLN LAWYER in a cameo, but that didn’t happen.
When I first noticed this while flipping through the Netflix app not really paying close attention I assumed it was the McConaughey movie, which I really liked, and moved on. A few days later a friend who was already into it told me it was excellent. I’m terribly backlogged with streaming stuff. I still haven’t finished BOSCH LEGACY, and STRANGER THINGS returns this week. Plus I’m still tempted by OUTER RANGE, that weird western on Amazon that George warned us about. Time to get busy.
Michael, you have a lot of great viewing ahead of you! Like you, I’m looking forward to the return of STRANGER THINGS.
We’re halfway through Bosch Legacy. Jackie wants to wait to watch this until we finish that first.
I agree with you on Outer Range, a total mess. The ending was particularly egregious. I don’t intend to watch a second series.
Jeff, I tried to warn everyone of the failings of MOON KNIGHT and OUTER RANGE. Both series had great potential…but it was wasted.
I would like to give this a try, but it takes us long enough to get through a season of Bosch. We space them out.
I have always liked Neve Campbell and haven’t seen her in anything in a while. So that would be a plus.
I haven’t read that many Bosch novels but I have a lot of them on my shelves. And I haven’t gotten to the Lincoln Lawyer series at all.
Tracy, like you I have a shelf of Michael Connelly books waiting to be read. I did read THE LINCOLN LAWYER years ago before I saw the movie. I may read THE BRASS VERDICT to see what changes were made to accommodate the Netflix series.
I just watched the first 3 episodes last night at a friends house. I really enjoyed it, as did he. Just a reminder, Maggie McPherson is a combination of Maggie Mason & Randy McPherson!!! (2 big mystery fans)
I still haven’t seen Bosch, and probably won’t unless I can get it on Netflix as my friend doesn’t like Titus Welliver, the guy who plays Bosch.
Maggie, the new BOSCH: LEGACY is on Freevee…which is free. Just go there and you can watch Bosch as a private eye.