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Legal dramas capture the rapport between the judicial system, the lawyers, and their clients, so vividly, and wittingly that the audience is left in a trance regarding this occupation. They also help bridge the gap between what we actually expect to happen in the legal world and how it actually works. Dramas like - Suits and How to Get Away with Murder have become synonymous with this, but if you are even more interested in exploring the requisites and everyday working of the judicial system, here is a list of the 10 most underrated legal dramas you cannot miss.
Disclaimer: This piece reflects the writer's opinions.
1) The Good Wife
The Good Wife is a legal drama encapsulating the world of law and justice. It examines legal ethics and scandals that arise when one is in power in governance. The highlight of the show is its strong independent female characters who are working in this male-dominated field of law. It follows the life of a woman who, after a devastating scandal with her husband, has to revive her career as a defense attorney, this time balancing her professional and personal life even more delicately.
2) Lincoln Lawyer
Starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Lincoln Lawyer is shown on the theme of justice versus morality. It is about redemption and second chances. It follows Lawyer Mickey Haller, who after a setback gets a second chance to revive his career when he receives a high profile murder case. This show portrays how the influence of money has corrupted the legal system and gives a glimpse of the intense battles that go down in courtrooms, working so intricately on legal loopholes and defense tactics.
3) She-Hulk
Starring Tatiana Mislay, She-Hulk is a Marvel production about Jennifer Walters, who is a brilliant attorney, but also the cousin of none other than the Almighty Hulk – Bruce Banner. After a blood transfusion from him, she gains his hulk-like powers and now has to manage her high-profile lawyer career as well as superhuman battles. This show is somewhat of a legal comedy-drama, which besides showing the work-life balance in the legal sector also shows themes of identity and self-acceptance, especially when you are not only a female but also a superhero.
4) Goliath
The show – Goliath is about Billy McBride, who, once used to be a very successful lawyer, but because of his struggles with alcoholism is now a small-time attorney. In order to redeem himself, he takes up cases against powerful companies that corrupt the legal system, and while working on these cases, he discovers some deeper conspiracies that can be quite dangerous if unveiled, especially because of his current reputation. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, this show explored the darker and more corrupt side of law corporations.
5) All Rise
The show - All Rise, starring Simone Missick is about Lola Carmichael, who is just appointed as a judge in Los Angeles. The show follows her life as she balances her court with her personal struggles. This show offers a very candid and casual look behind would goes on in the life of judges, especially when they are trying to be fair in a world full of corruption. This is a show high on diversity and representation as Lola is a black female judge and also explores her friendships and work relationships, amidst real-world, issues of immigration and mental health.
6) Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt starring Emayatzy Corinealdi and McKinley Freeman is about Jax Stewart, an attorney in Los Angeles who with her risk-taking attitude, helps out and wins those cases, that other lawyers wouldn’t touch because of the fear of losing, and is a testament to female empowerment. The series follows her life as she navigates through these complex cases infused with moral dilemmas that challenge her at every step. This series is suspenseful, criticizes social issues, and also gives a glimpse into the personal life of such working professionals.
7) For the People
For the People, is a show about a group of young prosecutors and public defenders trying to make it in the Southern District of New York. It manages to capture the very essence that drives the ambition these - young lawyers in making, harbor while dealing with the many workplace friendships and rivalries that emerge in these scenarios. This show portrays some very intense court battles whilst dealing with high-stakes cases and makes up for a good watch.
8) Philly
Kim Delaney as Kathleen Maguire in the show - Philly, is a defense attorney based in Philadelphia. She is passionate and dedicated towards her work and is constantly put in morally conflicted situations where she is required to bring to balance situations surrounding corruption and ethics. This show also magnanimously captures how life is for a big-shot female attorney in a world ruled by men and how rivalries in this profession can make or break your career.
9) Sweet Justice
Released in 1994, Sweet Justice is about Kate Delacroy who after working in a high-stakes corporate firm on Wall Street, leaves her stable job to help civil rights and social justice cases. Seeing the bad and corrupt side of the world, she is determined to help in what little way she can and takes up cases concerning women's rights, racial discrimination, and many more. In this process, she even often clashes with her powerful and conservative father’s firm. Amidst the backdrop of a legal setting, the show also tackles tropes of family tensions, especially those concerning ideological differences.
10) The Jury
The Jury is a popular 2002 British Legal Drama starring Gerard Buttler and others, and is about a Sikh teenager named - Duvinder Singh who is accused of killing his white classmate - John Mayer. As protests and public outrages are on high, a 12-person Jury must get to the bottom of this case and ensure their decision is fair and not influenced or biased in any way. This show offers a good social commentary on the prevailing prejudice in the world and how it influences decisions in the legal world, especially while dealing with the pressure of public opinion.
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These underrated legal dramas offer a gripping look into the complexities of the judicial system, blending intense courtroom battles with deep ethical dilemmas. Whether it's fierce defense attorneys, powerful judges, or morally conflicted lawyers, each show brings a unique perspective to the world of law. If you love legal dramas that go beyond the usual, this list is your perfect watch guide!
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