'All Rise': CBS' legal drama promises a closer look at the diverse stories of the women working in the justice system
'All Rise' starring 'Daredevil' and 'Luke Cage' alum Simone Missick is set to air on CBS in a few days. The legal drama follows newly-minted Judge Lola Carmichael after a successful stint as a successful Deputy District Attorney. Lola will show that there is more to a judge than just sitting behind the desk and will actively channel her humanity while flashing her legal chops, thus challenging the expectations of what a judge should be.
From what we understand from the trailer, Lola is a formidable woman and might even be impulsive. As a former Deputy District Attorney who is now a judge, the show will no doubt explore the shift in her life and see how she deals with being on the other side of the bench. She will also have more power as a judge, and perhaps her experience as a deputy DA would play into how she handles the cases that come to her courtroom. Add to this the fact that Lola is an African-American woman -- the viewers can expect to address the gross inequality in the convictions of the African-American population. In the trailer, we don't get to see much of her personal life, except that she is friends with the current deputy District Attorney Mark Callan, played by Wilson Bethel.
Of course, Lola won't have to make the transition without a little help. This would come in the form of CSI vet Marg Helgenberger's role of Lisa Benner who can be expected to play a "mentor's" role for Lola. A potential friendship between the two characters could even prove enthralling for viewers. In addition to Benner, Lola is also assisted by Sherri Kansky (Ruthie Ann Miles) who is responsible for Lola's schedule, witness lists, and paperwork. In the trailer, we see her be efficient, pragmatic, and in possession of good sarcastic humor. We can also expect Lola to take on the role of mentor herself to Emily Lopez (played by Jessica Camacho), a public defender who looks like she would need the mentoring to find her place in the courthouse. We will also see Emily's friend, Sara Castillo (Lindsay Mendez), an optimistic reporter.
While the women of the show can be expected to be upfront, the male characters are interesting as well. Along with Mark, there is also Luke Watkins (played by J. Alex Brinson) who works as a bailiff and is studying law. What viewers would like to see is how these characters interact. Too often when showing a woman in the workplace, their stories are overtaken by their personal lives (think 'Grey's Anatomy') and we hope that 'All Rise' simply rises above that to bring the viewers an all-rounded and moving show about those who work in the legal system.
'All Rise' will debut on CBS on September 23, 2019.