Why did Neve Campbell leave The Lincoln Lawyer as a regular? Exploring what happened to Maggie McPherson

Neve Campbell leaves the show (Image via Netflix)
Neve Campbell leaves the show (Image via Netflix)

Neve Campbell plays Maggie McPherson in season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix. The series is about Mickey Haller, a defense lawyer, and Maggie is Mickey's first wife, making her an integral part of the series' cast.

The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 was released on Netflix on October 17, 2024. Season 3 is based on the book titled The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly.

Mickey and Maggie had been building a relationship throughout seasons 1 and 2 of the show. Now it looked like this might blossom into a new romance - but Maggie quickly dropped the bombshell by telling Mickey she was taking a job in San Diego.

Campbell did not appear in the season 2 finale and didn't have too much screen time throughout the season either likely because of scheduling conflicts. There was speculation that she would not return for season 3. While those rumors are, of course, false, she does play a much smaller role in season 3.


Why did Neve Campbell only appear in a few episodes of The Lincoln Lawyer in Season 3?

The main reason behind Neve leaving (Image via Netflix)
The main reason behind Neve leaving (Image via Netflix)

Neve Campbell’s departure came mixed in with the news that The Lincoln Lawyer would be renewed for Season 3. But it also meant that Neve Campbell would not be continuing with the show, and the character of Maggie would not be returning to the screens anymore.

Although an initial report stated that Neve Campbell would not be returning, it was later revealed that she would return, albeit for a few episodes than fans had become accustomed to.

As quoted by The Cinemaholic, Maggie did not have much screen time in season 2, as Neve Campbell already had another commitment that would only go beyond the development stage.

As a result, Maggie's role in the show's season 3 was even less emphasized. By season 3 she had fewer cases involving high-profile criminals. This was why she moved to San Diego instead of staying in the original location.


How does Maggie McPherson appear in The Lincoln Lawyer?

Maggie McPherson's appearance in the series (Image via Netflix)
Maggie McPherson's appearance in the series (Image via Netflix)

Neve Campbell's Maggie appears in episodes 1 and 6 of season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer. First, her first appearance is not in the present. Immediately in the new season, Mickey Haller is surfing, and then his wife Maggie meets him on the beach as evidence of a happier relationship.

The timeline in the latest season of The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 moves forward and backward with various flashbacks. There is another flashback from Maggie in the pilot episode. Here, she warns Mickey about how he will demean himself by his behavior in court.

Maggie attends the funeral in season 3 (Image via Netflix)
Maggie attends the funeral in season 3 (Image via Netflix)

Mickey and Maggie's co-parenting skills are well demonstrated at several points in the show after they discuss the problems that led to their divorce. The first part of episode 6 is set in a somber mood as Eddie's funeral begins.

Maggie attends the funeral with her daughter Hayley, who's angry with her dad for the way things turned out with Eddie. Much later in the episode, Mickey attends Hayley's riding lesson.

Maggie arrives and encourages Mickey in his new relationship with Andy, and for the first time gives Mickey some advice on how to deal with his strained relationship with Hayley.


If you are a fan of The Lincoln Lawyer and looking for options to stream the show. You can stream season 3 of the show on Netflix.

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Edited by Abhimanyu Sharma