©The Hollywood Reporter - USA NetworkThe first trailer makes it clear that The Rainmaker in its television form is aiming for both suspense and emotional depth. Rudy Baylor is just starting out as a lawyer, fresh out of law school, and is immediately thrown in at the deep end when he takes on the ruthless top lawyer Leo Drummond, played by Mad Men veteran John Slattery. But the courtroom battle isn’t the only battle Rudy has to fight: his girlfriend Sarah (Madison Iseman) turns out to be a lawyer at Drummond’s influential law firm, putting their relationship under severe strain.
The series cleverly plays on classic themes like David versus Goliath, moral integrity versus abuse of power, and personal growth under immense pressure. Rudy’s office is far from impressive — instead, he works for the outspoken and colorful Bruiser, this time a female boss played by Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time), assisted by the chaotic but loyal paralegal Deck (P.J. Byrne). Together, they become embroiled in a legal minefield when they stumble upon a double conspiracy connected to the mysterious death of a client’s son.
Showrunner Michael Seitzman emphasizes that it’s not just the legal intrigue that makes the story so compelling, but the characters. “They leapt off the page in John’s book,” he says, “and were a joy to explore in our series. Not to mention, Milo Callaghan is your next crush.”
The cast is rounded out by Dan Fogler, Wade Briggs and Robyn Cara. Unlike previous versions, this adaptation promises more character development, contemporary moral questions and relationship complexity. At the same time, it stays true to the essence of Grisham’s original novel: a coming-of-age story where justice, love and loss collide in a world where nothing is black and white.
The 10-episode first season premieres Friday, August 15 at 10 p.m. ET on USA Network; episodes will be available to stream on Peacock a week after airing.
Watch the trailer for The Rainmaker below.
