ABC found major successes with the medical drama The Good Doctor and they were hoping to repeat it with another series set in the same universe. These plans fell apart after the network decided to scrap the spin-off The Good Lawyer, led by Kennedy McMann and Felicity Huffman.
The Good Lawyer was developed as the backdoor pilot, which aired as an episode of The Good Doctor during Season 6. The episode was well-received, with McMann and Huffman’s performances receiving good reviews, and ABC decided to proceed with this series.
Things took a turn for the worst in the face of the SAG-AFTRA strike. The options on the cast were up on August 15, and ABC struggled to fit the show into their packed spring schedule because they’ll have to accommodate all of their popular returning scripted series.
The Good Lawyer was supposed to follow a young attorney Joni (McMann), whose OCD symptoms take a severe toll on her personal and professional life. She uses her attention to detail, compulsive over-thinking, and analytical skills as a superpower, but her peculiar behaviors often irk those around her. Huffman was cast as seasoned veteran Janet working at Joni’s firm, who contributed to attempts to fire her before becoming her mentor.
