EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has given a series order to The Lincoln Attorney, a drama based on Michael Connelly’s series Best Sellers, from The practice and Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley and A + E Studios.
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This is a new incarnation of the project that was originally set up at CBS last season with a series of production commitments. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Magnificent Seven) was typed to play the title character in the Netflix series, as it honors the origin of the story of the story.
‘I’m excited to announce that Mickey Haller will be back on screen after a short journey – this time in the adaptation of the TV series’ The Lincoln Attorney come to Netflix and play the wonderful and talented Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, ”Connelly said in a blog post linked to the bakkie.
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With the cast of Mexico-born Garcia-Rulfo, Mickey Haller will remain true to the character as portrayed in Connelly’s books. (In the CBS version, Logan Marshall-Green had to play the role; in the 2011 film, the character is played by Matthew McConaughey.)
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“Manuel is the ideal Mickey Haller, who follows in the footsteps of his lawyer father with the performance of his Mexican mother,” Connelly wrote. “He brings a powerful dynamic and dimension to the role – one that matches the books and brings authenticity to the Latinx heritage and the roots of this Los Angeles-based story.”
The first season of ten episodes is based on the second book in The Lincoln Attorney series, The copper verdict.
Written and executive produced by Kelley and showrunner Ted Humphrey (The good woman), The Lincoln Attorney revolves around Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo), an iconoclastic idealist, who runs his legal practice from the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car while tackling cases large and small across the sprawling city of Los Angeles.
‘The Lincoln Attorney series will be adapted to support the complex and mysterious arches that fans know and love with a mix of light-hearted humor and a dose of family dynamics, ‘Connelly said.
The creative team of the project remains the same as for the CBS version, with Kelley and Humphrey’s executive team alongside Connelly and Ross Fineman (Goliath, Big Sky).
On screen, two roles are recreated: Mickey and Lorna, his second ex-wife and constant confidant, who would be played by Kiele Sanchez on CBS. A director is currently being sought.
By CBS, The Lincoln Attorney was picked up for the launch, which was days away from production start when the coronavirus pandemic stopped all filming in March. After CBS ‘surprise in May of not continuing with the sensational project, A + E Studios immediately transferred it to streamers. (The program’s serial narration is considered better suited for a digital platform than a traditional network.)
While there were various rumors, including Prime Video, which contained the long series Bosch, centered on Mickey’s half-brother, began a serious conversation with Netflix during the summer.
This is the second series on Netflix for A + E Studios, joining the WWII animated limited series The liberator, which premiered on Veterans Day. The studio, which is supervised by Barry Jossen, A + E head, and Tana Jamieson, programmer of EVP screenplay, is also behind the new ABC drama series Big sky, also from Kelley.
On Netflix, Kelley also has the upcoming anthology Anatomy of a scandal, based on Sarah Vaughan’s novel, starring Sienna Miller, Michelle Dockery and Rupert Friend. Big Little Lies creator Kelley comes from another successful limited series for HBO, Undo.
The Lincoln Attorney reunites Garcia-Rulfo with Kelley and Fineman after playing a major recurring role in Prime Videos Goliath, co-created / exported by Kelley and exported by Fineman. The Lincoln Attorney and Goliath are two of the many legal series that Kelley, a lawyer by profession, has created / co-created. The list also includes the Emmy-winning The practice and Ally McBeal.
Garcia-Rulfo is best known for his role as Vasquez in The Magnificent Seven remake and Gallo in Sicario: Day of the Soldier. He was recently seen in functions Greyhound and 6 Underground, and his TV credits also include From dusk to dawn: the series.
The Lincoln Attorney book series launched in 2009. The latest, sixth installment, The law of innocence, was published in November, seven years after the fifth novel.
“I’m excited to call Netflix our home,” Connelly said. “And I’m excited to solve this rich, multiple story, filled with interesting characters and puzzles, for millions of viewers – both old and new fans – around the world.”