Fans of the recently canceled CBS drama, All Rise, maybe seeing it brought back to life. Deadline exclusively reports that the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) is interested in resurrecting the legal drama for a third season. While talks are still in the early stages, the Warner Bros. TV-produced series would be a viable option for the cable network. Especially since OWN falls under the large umbrella of the recently-merged WarnerMedia and Discovery imprint.
All Rise was a legal drama starring Simone Missick (Altered Carbon, Luke Cage) as Lola Carmichael, a former Los Angeles DA who ascended to the position of judge amongst her peers. The series followed the complex cases and moral dilemmas of the judicial system as Carmichael strived to be a tool for progress against a conservative power structure. Debuting in 2019, the series at the time was CBS’ lone show featuring a Black female lead.
Deadline reports the series’ demise was forged by behind-the-scenes drama involving the show’s creator and former showrunner, Greg Spottiswood (Ice Men, Remedy). Spottiswood was dismissed last March after multiple accusations of alleged misconduct were launched from writers on the series. Several POC and women writers left the series alleging Spottiswood was cruel and dismissive about their concerns of how the show depicted its characters of color. By season two, Dee Harris-Lawrence (David Makes Man, Saving Grace) was recruited as a replacement to steer the series from derailing.
While Warner Bros. and OWN declined to comment regarding the series’ current status, Deadline reports there have been talks with some members of the cast. Negotiations have begun with Missick, J. Alex Brinson (Rufus, Summer of ’84), Jessica Camacho (The Flash, Another Life), and Wilson Bethel (Daredevil, Hart of Dixie). The original options on the cast members expired in June.
All Rise joins the ranks of another popular broadcast series possibly finding new life. NBC’s Manifest is close to procuring fourth season on the streamer, Netflix.