Watch For the People

For the People is an American legal drama television series that premiered on ABC in March 2018. The show follows the lives and cases of six young lawyers working on both sides of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Hope Davis plays Jill Carlan, the Public Defender supervisor who leads the four public defenders in the series. Ben Shenkman portrays Roger Gunn, the Chief of the Criminal Division who oversees the Assistant US Attorneys' (AUSAs) cases. Jasmin Savoy Brown plays Allison Adams, an AUSA who works alongside Kate Littlejohn (Susannah Flood) and Leonard Knox (Regé-Jean Page) under the leadership of their boss, Seth Oliver (Ben Rappaport).

The series takes a close look at the personal lives of these six lawyers, showing the toll that their challenging work takes on their relationships with each other and the people in their lives. It goes beyond the typical legal drama of courtroom battles and delves into the characters' personal struggles and moral dilemmas as they face tough ethical questions in their pursuit of justice.

The show's cast is diverse, featuring actors of different races and genders in prominent roles. This includes a lesbian romance subplot between Kate and her girlfriend, which is a rare representation of LGBTQ relationships on mainstream television. The show also deals with topics like racism in the criminal justice system, voter suppression, and police brutality, making it a socially conscious and relevant show for the current era.

Throughout the two seasons, the series follows the core characters as they tackle several high-profile cases that test their legal acumen and personal convictions. The cases are often ripped from the headlines, including one about a man accused of being a serial killer, a class warfare case involving a faulty voting machine, and a lawsuit brought against the NYPD for wrongful arrest and harassment.

One of the series' strengths is its focus on portraying law as a messy and complicated business. It's not just about winning or losing a case; it's about the personal sacrifices made by the lawyers themselves, whether it's lying to a client, crossing ethical boundaries, or fighting for a cause that may be unpopular. This humanizes the legal profession and gives the show a unique perspective on the complexities of the justice system.

As a legal drama, For the People stands out with its sharp writing, snappy pacing, and excellent ensemble cast. The actors bring their A-game to each episode, creating characters that are complex, flawed, and ultimately relatable. The show's creators also make sure to incorporate elements of comedy and romance, balancing the serious subject matter with lighter moments that keep the show from feeling too heavy.

Overall, For the People is a smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking legal drama that deserves more attention than it received during its two-season run. It's a show that humanizes the law and its practitioners, and offers a nuanced view of the justice system that's both entertaining and informative. Highly recommended for fans of legal dramas looking for a fresh take on the genre.

For the People is a series that ran for 2 seasons (20 episodes) between March 13, 2018 and on ABC