According to Deadline’s recent report, Lana Parrilla (Once Upon A Time, The Lincoln Lawyer) has officially joined the cast of USA Network’s highly anticipated series, The Rainmaker. This new television adaptation is based on John Grisham’s (A Time To Kill, The Firm, Camino Island) bestselling novel of the same name, which was previously brought to life on the big screen by director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse, Bram Stoker’s Dracula) in 1997. The series marks a significant addition to the network’s lineup, continuing its tradition of producing compelling legal dramas.
As mentioned by Deadline, The Rainmaker follows the story of Rudy Baylor, portrayed by rising star Milo Callaghan (The Strangers: Chapter 1, Doctor Who, FBI: International). Baylor is a freshly minted law school graduate who is pitted against courtroom titan Leo Drummond, played by the seasoned actor John Slattery (Mad Man, God’s Pocket, Spotlight). Rudy’s journey is complicated by his romantic involvement with law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore, played by Madison Iseman (Annabelle Comes Home, Fear Of Rain, Modern Family), and his partnership with a law firm that harbors deep, dark secrets. The show delves into the murky world of legal battles, corruption, and conspiracies, promising to deliver a gripping narrative filled with twists and turns.
Parrilla will take on the role of Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone, a brash and bold street lawyer who runs her disgraced father J. Lyman Stone’s strip mall law firm. This character reimagines the role previously portrayed by Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2, Angel Heart, The Wrestler) in the 1997 film adaptation, where J. Lyman Stone was depicted as a down-and-out ambulance chaser. As mentioned by Deadline, in the novel, Rudy Baylor is hired by Stone as an associate, setting the stage for the young lawyer’s descent into the morally ambiguous world of legal practice. Parrilla’s casting as Bruiser Stone adds a new layer of complexity to the character, ensuring that fans of the book and newcomers alike will be drawn into her portrayal of the tough and tenacious lawyer.
Callaghan and Slattery’s involvement in the series was previously announced, generating significant buzz among fans and industry insiders alike. Callaghan, a rising talent, takes on the challenging role of Rudy Baylor, a young lawyer thrust into a world of high-stakes legal drama. Slattery, a veteran actor known for his work on Mad Men, brings his formidable presence to Leo Drummond, a courtroom lion who will stop at nothing to win.
According to Deadline, Parrilla’s recent work includes a starring role in Netflix’s sci-fi action film alongside Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers, Second Act, Out Of Sight) and a recurring role in the second season of The Lincoln Lawyer, where she portrayed Lisa Trammell, a chef accused of murder. Her performance in these roles, combined with her iconic portrayal of The Evil Queen in Once Upon a Time, has solidified her reputation as a versatile and compelling actress.