From 1957 until 1966, Raymond Burr played defence attorney Perry Mason. Following the series, the character became a pop culture phenomenon who appeared in books, movies, comics and radio shows.
Now, 54 years after the original TV show finished its last run, Mason is back in rotation, this time starring The American’s Matthew Rhys.
According to the actor, before the new series began: “This ain’t your parent’s Perry Mason…” — in fact, the entire character serves as a prequel and will look a lot different than what he did in the 50s and 60s.
Based on the novels written by Erle Stanley Gardner, Mason’s beginnings see him as a low-rent private eye in 1930s Los Angeles during the great depression.
In this reboot crime drama, Rhys introduces his character to his humble beginnings before he ever met a courtroom.
Still reeling from his wartime experiences in France and the demise of his marriage, Mason is living from one paycheque to the next when he becomes embroiled in helping to solve a high-profile kidnapping. Could this be the case that sets him on the path to becoming a lawyer?
Joining Rhys is John Lithgow (The Crown), who plays Elias Birchard ‘EB’ Jonathan, an attorney and Mason’s mentor. Gotham’s Chris Chalk plays Drake, a talented cop held back by prejudice and Juliet Rylance takes on the role of Della Street, Mason’s love-interest and legal secretary of EB.
For those that work behind-the-camera, it’s an offering of the who’s who in drama television. Writers and directors include Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones, Westworld and The Sopranos. And if this is not impressive enough, the series is produced by Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr.
According to Variety in 2016, Downey Jr was set to star in the series, however, the project evolved since then.
You can watch Perry Mason on Binge, with episodes airing weekly.
WATCH NEXT: The official trailer for Perry Mason.
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