ABC has recently announced that they will not be moving forward with “The Good Lawyer,” the highly anticipated legal spinoff from the popular series “The Good Doctor.” This decision comes as a result of the ongoing strikes by both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The network had previously delayed pickup decisions on two spinoffs, including “The Rookie: Feds” and the pilot for “The Good Lawyer.” However, following careful consideration, ABC has ultimately chosen to scrap both projects.
The Origin of “The Good Lawyer”
“The Good Lawyer” was originally conceived as a spinoff of “The Good Doctor,” with a backdoor pilot episode airing within the hit medical drama’s last spring season. The episode was met with positive reception, and ABC executives were particularly impressed with the performances of Kennedy McMann and Felicity Huffman. Despite the potential shown by the cast, the options on their contracts were set to expire on August 15. Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the hold period was extended for the duration of the work stoppage, granting ABC an additional month to make a decision on the show. However, as the strikes continued past Labor Day, the chances of outstanding series receiving a pickup diminished.
This cancellation comes as yet another blow to ABC, which had already terminated another series, “Home Economics,” at the end of September. The network had originally planned to launch “The Good Lawyer” in the upcoming spring season, but with limited shelf space available for new shows amidst the return of popular scripted series, ABC had to make some tough choices. In late September, the decision was made to postpone the premiere of their only new scripted series, “High Potential,” to the following fall. This show, starring Kaitlin Olson, is currently the sole ABC pilot for 2023 to receive a series order.
“The Good Lawyer” was developed by David Shore and Liz Friedman, the co-showrunners of “The Good Doctor.” This legal drama follows the story of Dr. Shaun Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore, as he seeks legal representation for a case. He places his trust in Joni DeGroot, portrayed by Kennedy McMann, a talented young lawyer struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The compelling and unique premise of the show had initially generated excitement among viewers and ABC executives.
With the cancellation of “The Good Lawyer,” ABC has lost an opportunity to expand upon the success of “The Good Doctor.” The decisions made by the network were undoubtedly influenced by the ongoing strikes, which have disrupted the production and operation of numerous television projects. While fans of the show may be disappointed, it is essential to recognize the challenges faced by networks and production companies during these unprecedented times. As ABC contends with limited resources and scheduling conflicts, they must strategically navigate the ever-changing landscape of the television industry.