In a bid to see how many times the Big Three TV networks can use the word “Law” in show titles, ABC has given the green light to a sequel reboot pilot of the great late-80s/early-90s NBC drama, “L.A. Law.”
This, in the wake of numerous “Law & Order” reboots and offshoots across the main networks, means we are living in a golden age of television crime dramas.
As Deadline reports, the ABC project, which had been in the works at the network since December, is headlined by Blair Underwood, reprising his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. Underwood will also be executive producer.
Underwood joined the cast in Season 2 and remained on the show until its end, earning a Golden Globe nomination along the way.
The new sequel pilot is written/executive produced by Marc Guggenheim, who is a lawyer himself, which should only add to the detailed realism and penchant for hot-button topics that the show became famous for.
The basic set-up has the law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinventing itself as a litigation firm “specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing, and incendiary cases.” Throw in some generation gap battles -- with Underwood’s character, who has become a little more conservative, mixing it up with millennial JJ Freeman -- and it sounds like the sequel can pick right up from the success of the original.
If the pilot gets picked up, expect some surprise appearances from original cast members among a primarily new bunch of younger legal eagles.
Related
“L.A. Law” co-creator Steven Bochco, who passed in 2018, remains a guiding inspiration, as his son, TV director-producer Jesse Bochco, played a key role in putting the project together; and the late producer’s widow, Dayna Bochco, executive produced via Steven Bochco Productions. 20th Television -- who were behind the original -- is the studio producing the new sequel.
The fact that the ABC dragged pulling the switch on the series, and in the meantime Underwood and director Anthony Hemingway were offered other projects, cast a shadow on the pilot. Nevertheless, things are now in full swing, and Jesse Bochco sounded optimistic about the sequel’s chances at getting picked up.
“We are working with brilliant, brilliant people,” said Bochco, “and I think we’re going to get it to the world.”
Lights, camera, action! Get the latest updates on movies and television from The Reel Buzz on Audacy.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram