'Bluff City Law' will portray the city of Memphis as a crucial character on the show by highlighting its rich heritage
NBC's upcoming dramedy 'Bluff City Law' packs it all: legal affairs, estranged family drama, and comedic quips here and there as the show tackles serious burning issues in today's socio-political climate, such as immigration and privacy. It also packs strong leads with beloved TV lawyer Jimmy Smits donning the black robes once again to play an elite law firm's leader, Elijah Strait, and Caitlin McGee plays his tough as nails daughter and fellow lawyer, Sidney, who has not the most pleasant relationship with him. Amid all these spectacular aspects, the one character nobody was expecting to see unfold on the screen was the show's setting itself, aka the city of Memphis.
While the prime focus of the show will be Elijah and his estranged daughter, Sidney's reconciliation in the wake of her mother and his wife's death, Smits has also spoken about the significance of the city of Memphis, in an interview with Commercial Appeal. Even McGee who plays Smit's daughter Sidney on the show has claimed that "Memphis is one of the show's characters."
Drawing direct parallels with the city's history, such as the monumental National Civil Rights Museum and of course, the stalwart Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, Smits also cited how the show's plot, in general, is a reflection of the setting. As the father-daughter duo tackle grief and loss in the wake of Elijah's beloved wife, and Sidney's philanthropist mother's death, their journey meandering through crisis towards a possible reconciliation is something that is relevant to the rich cultural and socio-political history of Memphis.
Smits has dubbed Memphis as a city that doesn't like to hide its blemishes and resemblances of the same uninhibited aura can be seen reflected in Elijah's approach towards Sidney, as she requests her to come back and work at his law firm after a major setback in her profession. Other social issues such as free speech, immigration, and privacy concerns are also going to elaborate on the city's heritage using just a dash of comedy but will also keep the human interest element intact And what better way to honor a city that has seen it all than to personify it as a character on a show.
'Bluff City Law' debuts with its pilot on Monday, September 23, at 9 pm, only on NBC.