ABC introduced The Good Lawyer, a spinoff of The Good Doctor, to audiences through a backdoor pilot in March 2023. Unfortunately, the show was canceled just eight months later.
In January 2023, it was reported that a backdoor pilot was being developed for the popular medical drama. The pilot's synopsis revealed that Dr. Shaun Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore) encounters a young attorney named Joni (portrayed by Kennedy McMann) while seeking assistance with a case. Shaun and Joni form a connection due to her personal experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder, allowing them to understand each other.
McMann's first TV role after her appearance on The CW's Nancy Drew from 2019 to 2023 was in The Good Lawyer. The pilot episode also introduced Joni's boss, who was portrayed by Felicity Huffman. McMann enthusiastically shared the exciting news about the show on Instagram in January 2023, expressing her excitement and personal connection to her character due to her own experiences with OCD. She expressed her gratitude for being a part of a genuine and truthful representation of OCD in the media, stating that it was a dream come true and more than she had ever hoped for.
Scroll on for everything to know about The Good Lawyer:
Credit: ABC/Jeff Weddell
Everything to Know About ABC’s ‘The Good Doctor’ Spinoff ‘The Good Lawyer’: The Backdoor Pilot and More
ABC premiered a backdoor pilot in March 2023 for The Good Lawyer, a spinoff of The Good Doctor. However, after only eight months, the show was ultimately cancelled.
In January 2023, it was announced that a backdoor pilot was in development for the popular medical drama. The synopsis revealed that Dr. Shaun Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore) encounters a young attorney named Joni (played by Kennedy McMann) when seeking assistance with a case. As they connect, Joni's ability to empathize with Shaun, stemming from her own obsessive-compulsive disorder, becomes evident.
The Good Lawyer marked McMann's television debut following her role as the lead in The CW's Nancy Drew from 2019 to 2023. In the pilot episode, Felicity Huffman portrays Joni's boss. McMann expressed her excitement and called it a dream come true in a January 2023 Instagram post. She also mentioned feeling a connection to her character due to her personal experience with OCD. McMann expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of an authentic and genuine representation of OCD in the media, stating that it surpassed all her expectations and wishes.
Scroll on for everything to know about The Good Lawyer:
Credit: ABC/Jeff Weddell
When Did 'The Good Lawyer' Pilot Air?
The introduction to The Good Doctor spinoff aired on ABC Monday, March 13, at 10 p.m. ET.
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Which Actors Starred in 'The Good Lawyer'?
McMann and Huffman, along with Bethlehem Million, both made their appearances in the pilot episode and were prepared to reprise their roles if the show was picked up. Additionally, Highmore, who has been a part of The Good Doctor since its beginning, had a memorable onscreen cameo in the inaugural episode.
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What Was 'The Good Doctor' Backdoor Pilot About?
The pilot episode featured Joni DeGroot, a character with obsessive-compulsive disorder, portrayed by McMann. The episode also established the significant involvement of Joni's boss in assisting Shaun with a case.
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What Did the 1st Look at the Backdoor Pilot Reveal?
In March 2023, ABC released photos of McMann's character in court.
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Did Characters From Both Shows Interact in the Pilot?
Shaun and Jodi were seen interacting in a show still and viewers later saw multiple scenes with both characters.
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How Did Fans Respond to 'The Good Lawyer' Backdoor Pilot?
Following the March 2023 episode, TVLine polled viewers for their reaction to the show. According to the outlet, 90 percent of its readers voted in favor of a full series.
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Was 'The Good Lawyer' Picked Up for a Full Season?
TVLine reported in November 2023 that The Good Lawyer was not given a full-season order. We reached out to ABC for further comment.