Ever wondered what it looked like behind the scenes of a courthouse and its people? What are the processes, how do legal and law enforcement professionals interact, what goes on in their personal lives, and most interestingly, how do they navigate around a blatantly flawed justice system? Well, CBS is about to answer those questions with its newest courthouse drama series, All Rise.
In All Rise, we follow Lola Carmichael. A respected and impressive deputy district attorney who has just been appointed as a judge. Despite her experience in a courthouse, Lola finds herself thrown in a whirlwind as she experiences the challenges of pushing the boundaries and expectations of what a judge can be. Like her judicial assistant so aptly said in the trailer: “You think you know, but you don’t. Not yet.” Creator Greg Goldstein himself stated in an interview that the show’s inspiration comes from Steve Bogira’s book, Courtroom 302. In particular how it was told from multiple perspectives within the courtroom.
But don’t you worry, it’s not all as serious as it sounds. In fact, watch the trailer and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see small injections of humor here and there, too. There’s also some potentially tear-jerking moments and even a scene where Lola shows how much of a force to be reckoned with that she is.
All Rise series development
CBS announced the show’s pilot order in late January 2019. Back then, the show was still set to be titled Courthouse. However, two months later in May, the show was given the series order. As well as a title change to what we know now: All Rise.
The next day, it was announced that the series would premiere in the fall and debut its pilot episode on Monday, September 23, 2019. Meaning, that all courthouse and legal drama show fans will be able to catch this gem of a show every Monday night at 9/8 central starting September 23.
Who’s behind the show?
The pilot episode was written by Greg Spottiswood, who also created such shows as King and Remedy. And directed by Emmy Award winner Michael M. Robin (Major Crimes, The Closer) both of whom are also executive producers alongside Len Goldstein. The production studios behind All Rise are CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television.
Who will we see?
The show’s lead role will be played by Simone Missick, who gained fame for her role as Detective Misty Knight in Luke Cage and its related series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Joining Missick as part of the main cast are Jessica Camacho (The Flash) as attorney Emily Lopez-Berarro, the public defender. As well as Wilson Bethel (Daredevil, Hart of Dixie) as Lola’s friend and colleague Mark. Marg Helgenberger (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) as Judge Lisa Benner, the one who’s tasked to oversee Lola’s transition to becoming a judge. And Ruthie Ann Miles as Sherri Kansky, Lola’s ever-helpful and feisty judicial assistant.
Other cast members that we will see include J. Alex Brinson (Travellers) and Lindsay Mendez as Sara, the defendant seen in the trailer.
Watch Judge Carmichael as she deals with fellow judges, prosecutors, public defenders, bailiffs, clerks, defendants, the accused, and even the cops in All Rise, coming to your screens this fall!