| Reasonable Doubt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Legal drama |
| Created by | Raamla Mohamed |
| Starring | Emayatzy Corinealdi McKinley Freeman Tim Jo Angela Grovey Thaddeus J. Mixson Aderinsola Olabode Michael Ealy |
| Composer | Adrian Younge |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Raamla Mohamed Kerry Washington Pilar Savone Larry Wilmore Shawn Holley |
| Running time | 46–55 minutes |
| Production companies | Good Home Training Simpson Street Wilmore Films ABC Signature Onyx Collective |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hulu |
| Release | September 27, 2022 – present |
Reasonable Doubt is an American legal drama television series created by Raamla Mohamed for Hulu.[1] The series stars Emayatzy Corinealdi as a corporate defense lawyer navigating challenging high-profile cases.[2] The series also stars McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Aderinsola Olabode, and Michael Ealy. Reasonable Doubt is Onyx Collective's first scripted television series.[3] It premiered on September 27, 2022.[4] On April 17, 2023, it was renewed for a second season.[5] The series generally received positive reviews from critics.
Plot
Jax Stewart is a successful defense lawyer at an up-scale Los Angeles law firm. She navigates difficult cases amid a separation from her husband and the reappearance of a former client she worked with in her previous job as a public defender.
Cast
- Emayatzy Corinealdi as Jacqueline "Jax" Stewart (née Nicholas), a defense lawyer, and mother of two children currently separated from her husband, Lewis
- McKinley Freeman as Lewis, Jax's husband
- Tim Jo as Daniel, Jax's investigator
- Christopher Cassarino as Rich Reed, a colleague of Jax's
- Angela Grovey as Krystal Walters
- Aderinsola Olabode as Naima, Jax's tween daughter
- Michael Ealy as Damon Cooke, a previous client of Jax's recently released from prison
- Thaddeus J. Mixson as Spenser, Jax's teenage son
- Sean Patrick Thomas as Brayden Miller, a billionaire and new client of Jax's
- Perri Camper as Kaleesha Moore, a murder victim who accused Brayden Miller of sexual assault
- Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Nefetari Spencer, and Shannon Kane as Autumn, Sally, and Shanelle, Jax's closest friends
- Morris Chestnut as Corey Cash, a talented defense attorney Jax brings in to assist on a case (Season 2)[6]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Can't Knock the Hustle" | Kerry Washington | Raamla Mohamed | September 27, 2022 |
| 2 | "Family Feud" | Pete Chatmon | Resheida Brady | September 27, 2022 |
| 3 | "99 Problems" | Neema Barnette | Ryan Richmond & Loy A. Webb | October 4, 2022 |
| 4 | "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" | Darren Grant | Tash Gray | October 11, 2022 |
| 5 | "So Ambitious" | Sylvain White | Michelle Flowers & Jason Wilborn | October 18, 2022 |
| 6 | "Renegade" | Julie Dash | Loy A. Webb | October 25, 2022 |
| 7 | "N**** What, N**** Who" | Carl Seaton | Jason Wilborn | November 1, 2022 |
| 8 | "Song Cry" | Numa Perrier | Resheida Brady & Raamla Mohamed and Michelle Flowers & Natalia Temesgen | November 8, 2022 |
| 9 | "Already Home" | Pete Chatmon | Tash Gray & Ryan Richmond | November 15, 2022 |
Production
The series was created by former Scandal writer Raamla Mohamed.[7] It is loosely based on the experiences of celebrity attorney Shawn Holley, who is also a producer for the show.[8] Reasonable Doubt was produced through the Walt Disney Television's Onyx Collective.[9] Kerry Washington directed the series pilot.[10]
Release
The show premiered on September 27, 2022, on Hulu. The first season has nine episodes.[11] The first episode aired on ABC on November 10, 2022.[12] Internationally, the series is available on Disney+.[13]
On April 17, 2023, it was announced that the series was renewed for a second season.[14] Morris Chestnut will join the cast as a series regular.[15]
Reception
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 7.80/10 based on 8 critic reviews.[16] Metacritic assigned the series a weighted average score of 76 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[17]
Daniel D'Addario of Variety asserted, "Reasonable Doubt plays like the juicy soap Shonda Rhimes would never write; its excesses, often, grab and hold our attention."[18] Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter praised Emayatzy Corinealdi's performance, saying, "Corinealdi is lots of fun to watch as Jax, and she’s blessed with scripts that allow her to embody multitudes," and wrote, "Reasonable Doubt serves up plenty of the juicy thrills and emotional dilemmas that wine-soaked group chats were made for."[19]
Nina Metz of Chicago Tribune gave the series a grade of 3 out of 4 stars and said, "There’s a lot to like about “Reasonable Doubt,” which is sharp and fun and moves at a good clip. And it’s smart about keeping things just this side of ridiculous."[20] Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the show a B+, stating, "Reasonable Doubt is enjoyably Shonda-esque, in that it's a steamy, speed-plotted soap built around a morally ambiguous female power player whose life is filled with ridiculously attractive men. But Mohamed also weaves in frank and nuanced stories about marriage, parenting, and the importance of (and challenges with) female friendships," and complimented Corinealdi's performance.[21]
Accolades
Kerry Washington received a nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series at the 2023 Black Reel Awards for Television.[22][23]
References
- ↑
- Fang, Marina (September 27, 2022). "With 'Reasonable Doubt,' Raamla Mohamed Gives The Legal Drama Some Sex Appeal". HuffPost. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- Schepp, Calie Schepp (September 28, 2022). "'Reasonable Doubt' creator Raamla Mohamed shares her entertainment inspirations". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ Hoffmeyer, Corey (December 8, 2022). "Reasonable Doubt's Emayatzy Corinealdi Was Shocked By A Lot Of Jax's Decisions In The Show". Looper. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑
- Villei, Matt (September 7, 2022). "New 'Reasonable Doubt' Trailer Shows Emayatzy Corinealdi's Love for Criminals". Collider. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- Petski, Denise (November 3, 2022). "'Reasonable Doubt': ABC To Air Premiere Episode Of Onyx Collective Streaming Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (September 27, 2022). "Reasonable Doubt and Rookie Spinoff Debut, Most Wanted's New Recruit, La Brea Returns and More". TVLine. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑
- Anderson, Julia (April 17, 2023). "Reasonable Doubt Lands Second Season, Adds Morris Chestnut". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- Wehniainen, Grace (April 17, 2023). "'Reasonable Doubt' Season 2 Will Feature A Beloved 'Best Man' Alum". Bustle. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ Cordero, Rosy (April 17, 2023). "Morris Chestnut Boards Onyx Collective's 'Reasonable Doubt' As Hulu Series Lands Season 2 Renewal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ↑ Gutzmore, Clayton (November 5, 2022). "'Reasonable Doubt' Creator Raamla Mohamed and Larry Wilmore on Hulu Legal Drama and Supporting Black Creatives". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ D'Addario, Daniel (September 23, 2022). "Soapy 'Reasonable Doubt' Centers One Very Flawed Lawyer: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ↑ Gallucci, Nicole (September 30, 2022). "Emayatzy Corinealdi Mesmerizes As 'Reasonable Doubt' Attorney Jax Stewart". Decider. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ↑ Wimore, Larry (October 9, 2022). "Kerry Washington and Raamla Mohamed on 'Reasonable Doubt'". The Ringer. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ↑ Baldwin, Kristen. "'Smile' lays out horror bait, 'Bros' is rom-com bliss, and 'Andor' requires some patience". EW.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe (November 3, 2022). "ABC to Air First Episode of Onyx Collective Streaming Series 'Reasonable Doubt'". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑
- Tripathi, Arin (November 15, 2022). "Reasonable Doubt Episode 9: Release Date, Plot & Streaming Guide - OtakuKart". OtakuKart.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- West, Amy (August 31, 202). "New on Disney Plus in September 2022: All the new movies and shows arriving this month". GamesRadar+. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑
- Harris, Raquel (April 17, 2023). "Reasonable Doubt Lands Season 2 Renewal at Hulu". TheWrap. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- Major, Michael (April 17, 2023). "REASONABLE DOUBT Renewed for Season Two on Hulu". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑
- Bell, BreAnna (April 17, 2023). "Onyx Collective's 'Reasonable Doubt' Renewed for Season 2, Morris Chesnut Added to Cast". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- Gelman, Vlada (April 17, 2023). "Reasonable Doubt Renewed for Season 2 at Hulu, Morris Chestnut Joins Cast". TVLine. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ "Reasonable Doubt (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ↑ "Reasonable Doubt (2022): Season 1". Metacritic.
- ↑ D'Addario, Daniel (September 23, 2022). "Soapy 'Reasonable Doubt' Centers One Very Flawed Lawyer: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ Han, Angie (September 26, 2022). "'Reasonable Doubt' Review: Hulu's Legal Drama Is a Soapy Good Time". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ Metz, Nina (September 28, 2022). "Review: "Reasonable Doubt" improves the Shonda Rhimes template". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ Baldwin, Kristen (September 30, 2022). "'Smile' lays out horror bait, 'Bros' is rom-com bliss, and 'Andor' requires some patience". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ↑ "2023 Black Reel TV Award Nominees". Black Reel Awards. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ↑ Complex, Valerie (June 15, 2023). "Black Reel 7th Annual Television Awards Featuring Gender Neutral Categories Announces Nominations; 'The Best Man: Final Chapters' Leads With 18 Noms". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2023.