Family Law (Canadian TV series)
| Family Law | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Legal drama |
| Created by | Susin Nielsen |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network |
|
| Release | September 16, 2021 – present |
Family Law is a Canadian legal drama television series that premiered in Italy on Sky Investigation (local version of Sky Witness) on July 6, 2021, and on Global on September 16, 2021.[1][2]The show later premiered on The CW in the United States on October 2, 2022.
Premise
Abigail Bianchi, a recovering alcoholic and lawyer, goes to work with her estranged father and two half-siblings. She has never worked in family law before and suddenly finds herself having to manage not just her clients' family dysfunction, but her own. She must learn to navigate working with her father and siblings she does not know as part of her probation, all while trying to maintain her sobriety.
Cast and characters
Main
- Jewel Staite as Abigail (Abby) Bianchi,[3] a recovering alcoholic lawyer who hits rock bottom after a video of her vomiting in court goes viral.[4]
- Victor Garber as Harry Svensson, Abigail's estranged father and boss. Married three times; first to Abigail's mother, second to Daniel's mother, and last to Lucy's mother.
- Zach Smadu as Daniel Svensson, Abigail's half-brother and lawyer who is working for his father.
- Genelle Williams as Lucy Svensson, Abigail's half-sister, her mother died when she was eight. A divorced lesbian psychiatrist.
Recurring
- Bobbi Charlton as Jerri Rifkin[5]
- Luke Camilleri as Frank Bianchi,[5] Abigail's ex-husband
- Lauren Holly as Joanne Kowalski,[5] Abigail's mother and Harry's first ex-wife
- Eden Summer Gilmore as Sofia Bianchi,[5] Abigail's daughter[6]
- Brendan Sunderland as Nico Bianchi,[7] Abigail's son[6]
- Brett Kelly as Cecil Patterson[5]
- Yvonne Chapman as Danielle Lim, Daniel's ex-fiancée[5] (season 1)
- Ali Liebert as Maggie Roth, Lucy's ex-wife who is a paramedic
- Celia Reid as Asha, the woman who Lucy is having an affair with (season 1)
- Kelli Ogmundson as Nina Beasley, the receptionist at Svensson Associates
- Ryan Lino as Winston Verdad, the receptionist, who takes over for Nina (season 2)
- BJ Harrison as Cordelia, Abby's divorce lawyer and Harry's old flame (season 2)
- Peter Bryant as Phillip Sterling, a lawyer and a friend of Harry
- Birkett Turton as Yannick Krol, a lawyer and a friend of Daniel
Episodes
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 10 | September 16, 2021 | November 19, 2021 | |
| 2 | 10 | May 22, 2023[8] | TBA | |
| 3 | 10 | TBA | TBA | |
Season 1 (2021)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | Canadian viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Sins of the Fathers" | Jordan Canning | Susin Nielsen | September 16, 2021 | 411390-1 | 652,000[9] |
|
Abigail, an alcoholic lawyer, shows up during a court proceeding hungover and throws up on her client. The video of the event goes viral on the internet. Her life hits rock bottom as she loses her position at her firm and moves to her mother’s house, separated from her husband Frank and her two children. Three months later, Abigail's estranged father, Harry, offers her a menial position in his law firm during her probation where she meets her half-brother, Daniel who is lawyer working for their father and her half-sister, Lucy who is a lesbian psychologist. Initially, Abigail doesn’t get along with her half-siblings. Abigail soon becomes involved in a case where a teenage girl wants to locate her biological father and when Abigail does locate him, the teen girl's single mother worries about her daughter becoming too attached to the man she once had a fling with. | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Parenthood" | Jordan Canning | Susin Nielsen | September 24, 2021 | 411390-2 | N/A |
|
Daniel’s girlfriend Danielle is helping the firm to revamp and modernize its online presence. Daniel and Abigail represent a pregnant Down Syndrome couple who are afraid that the Social Security will take away their baby as they find them incapable of parenting. Meanwhile, Abigail is banned from her son Nico’s school after she confronts and physically threatens her son’s bullies. Harry asks Abigail not to be part of the group photo for the firm’s website because of her infamy and bad reputation. Elsewhere, Lucy panics at her spouse, Maggie’s, suggestion that they have a baby; she meets a woman, Asha, at a girl bar and the two make out. | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Addicted to Love" | David Frazee | Susin Nielsen | October 1, 2021 | 411390-3 | N/A |
|
Daniel and Abigail defend a stay-at-home mother with an online gaming addiction after her husband sues her for custody of their children due to her negligent parenting and her gaming avatar having sex with another player’s avatar. Daniel arbitrates the custody of a divorced couple's dog. Daniel and Danielle get engaged while Abigail, feeling melancholic after stalking Felicity, her ex-husband Frank's new girlfriend, on Instagram, falls off the wagon and gets drunk at Harry’s office. | |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Mama Don't Preach" | David Frazee | Story by : Corey Liu Teleplay by : Sonja Bennett | October 8, 2021 | 411390-4 | N/A |
|
Harry confronts Abigail about her drinking while she hydrates to avoid alcohol detection on a breath analyzer. Daniel and Abigail represent a gay teenager, Aaron, who wants to be emancipated from his conservative parents because they are forcing him to attend a gay conversion camp. Abigail sends Cecil, the firm’s paralegal, undercover to the gay conversion camp, where he rescues Aaron from electrical shock treatment aversion therapy at the camp, following which Aaron’s father starts accepting his sexuality. Also, Harry meets his grandchildren Sofia and Nico for the first time at his office. Jerri accompanies Abigail to her first AA meeting. | |||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Until Death Do Us Part" | Alysse Leite-Rogers | Damon Vignale | October 15, 2021 | 411390-5 | N/A |
|
Harry’s girlfriend Clemence informs him that he gave her Chlamydia which he contacted from another woman he was seeing during the relationship. Abigail and Daniel represent Ira, Daniel’s onetime neighbor, who wants his wife, Helen, moved from a care home that he claims is worsening her Alzheimer's; Ira's daughter, Mariam, doesn't want Helen moved and holds power of attorney. Ira challenges her in court, revealing that Helen is in a relationship at the care home. Clemence sues Harry, and Harry asks Abigail to represent him against Clemence, who has hired Abigail’s ex-boss. Meanwhile, Maggie’s parents are visiting, which annoys Lucy. Also, Daniel is having second thoughts about marrying Danielle, and Harry gives him advice to get a prenup. Abigail visits her old office with Harry and settles the case with Clemence with an apology from Harry. Daniel refuses to marry Danielle. | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Baby Off Board" | Alysse Leite-Rogers | Sarah Dodd | October 22, 2021 | 411390-6 | N/A |
|
Abigail starts seeing a psychiatrist. At the same time, Abigail represents a couple during an adoption process, but later the couple find that their adopted baby has a serious medical condition. The wife wants to keep the child, the husband doesn't. Daniel and Abigail represent the wife, but Harry is concerned that the husband is hiding something and he hires Abigail’s private investigator. Abigail and Frank go out to dinner to meet Sofia’s boyfriend, where Abigail sees Lucy making out with Asha. Also, Daniel and Danielle’s breakup is out in the open. | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Three's Company" | Mathias Herndl | Ken Craw | October 29, 2021 | 411390-7 | N/A |
|
Abigail and Daniel represent a starving artist who was once the third member of a polyamorous relationship involving a famous conservative political commentator, Crystal Steele. Daniel proposes becoming a partner in the firm; Harry rejects his proposal. Abigail confronts Lucy about her ongoing extra-marital affair with Asha. The Svensson Associates office gets attacked by the followers of Crystal Steele. After Abigail’s home address is doxed online and she gets abusive and threatening texts from Steele’s followers, Frank and the kids stay with her at her mother's house. Daniel regrets dumping Danielle. Harry beefs up the office security while they start losing clients. Frank and Abigail bond and sleep together at her mother’s house. Crystal hires Harry as her divorce attorney. | |||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Truthiness" | Mathias Herndl | Sonja Bennett & Ken Craw | November 5, 2021 | 411390-8 | N/A |
|
Harry and Abigail represent Crystal in her divorce settlement. Abigail agrees to defend a longtime friend who is anti-vaccine, refusing to get any COVID-19 shot. Daniel is bitter over Harry's rejection of his partnership proposal. Nico gets suspended from school when he is caught forging parents' signatures for other students for money, forcing Abigail and Frank to reconsider their parenting agreement. Lucy comes clean to Maggie about her affair, and Maggie forgives her and they reconcile. Lucy later runs into Asha and they make out. | |||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Blame It on the Mother" | Andy Mikita | Sarah Dodd | November 12, 2021 | 411390-9 | N/A |
|
Abigail and Daniel represent two sisters who are being sued by their estranged mother for parental support. Harry’s speech at his alma mater becomes fodder for internet memes and trolling. Daniel considers leaving Svensson for a rival firm. Lucy is sad and angry as Harry fails to show up on their planned meeting on her deceased mother’s birthday. Daniel, Lucy, Abigail and Jerri get upset when they learn that Harry is dating Crystal, and Daniel quits the firm. Lucy tells Maggie that she is ready to have a baby. | |||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Legacy" | Andy Mikita | Susin Nielsen | November 19, 2021 | 411390-10 | N/A |
|
Maggie undergoes insemination at a fertility clinic. After Nina, the receptionist at Svensson, discovers she is not her father's biological daughter, Abigail traces a history of malpractice at the fertility clinic where Nina was conceived. Abigail asks Harry to re-hire Daniel, and Harry makes him a partner at the firm. Abigail and Daniel file a class action lawsuit against Dr. Peterson, with Nina and her father as plaintiffs. Maggie runs into Asha, who tells her about her last encounter with Lucy. Maggie ends her relationship with Lucy and informs her that she is pregnant. Abigail catches Frank meeting Felicity. Lucy goes to Abigail and breaks down. | |||||||
Season 2
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [10] | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [11] | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | "Revisionist History" | Andy Mikita | Susin Nielsen | May 22, 2023[8] | 411390-11 |
| 12 | 2 | "I Now Pronoun You" | Andy Mikita | Corey Liu | May 29, 2023 | 411390-12 |
| 13 | 3 | "Under the Influence" | Alysse Leite-Rogers | Sarah Dodd | TBA | 411390-13 |
| 14 | 4 | "Return to Sender" | Alysse Leite-Rogers | Sonja Bennett | TBA | 411390-14 |
| 15 | 5 | "Fifty Shades of Judginess" | Gail Harvey | Susin Nielsen | TBA | 411390-15 |
| 16 | 6 | "Wicked Games" | Gail Harvey | Ken Craw | TBA | 411390-16 |
| 17 | 7 | "Arrested Development" | David Frazee | Ken Craw | TBA | 411390-17 |
| 18 | 8 | "Family History" | David Frazee | Sarah Dodd | TBA | 411390-18 |
| 19 | 9 | "Acting Out" | Sarah Wayne Callies | Sonja Bennett & Corey Liu | TBA | 411390-19 |
| 20 | 10 | "All Happy Families" | Andy Mikita | Susin Nielsen | TBA | 411390-20 |
Season 3
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [12] | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1 | "What Came First?" "The Fine Line"[13] | Andy Mikita | TBA | TBA | 411390-21 |
| 22 | 2 | "A River in Egypt" | Andy Mikita | TBA | TBA | 411390-22 |
| 23 | 3 | "It's the End of the World as We Know It" | Jordan Canning | TBA | TBA | 411390-23 |
| 24 | 4 | "Play it Straight" | Jordan Canning | TBA | TBA | 411390-24 |
| 25 | 5 | "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" | David Frazee | TBA | TBA | 411390-25 |
| 26 | 6 | "When the Chip Hits the Fan" | David Frazee | TBA | TBA | 411390-26 |
| 27 | 7 | "Bass Fishing" | Alysse Leite-Rogers | TBA | TBA | 411390-27 |
| 28 | 8 | "Where There's a Will" | Alysse Leite-Rogers | TBA | TBA | 411390-28 |
| 29 | 9 | "Catch 22" "To The End of Love"[14] | Agam Darshi | TBA | TBA | 411390-29 |
| 30 | 10 | "The Chickens Come Home to Roost" | Andy Mikita | TBA | TBA | 411390-30 |
Production
On December 20, 2019, Corus Entertainment announced that the series created by Susin Nielsen for SEVEN24 Films and Lark Productions had been given a ten episode series order. Executive produced by Tom Cox, Jordy Randall and Erin Haskett, the show would be produced and set in Vancouver, British Columbia.[15]
In February 2020, it was reported that principal photography would begin on March 2, 2020. The primary cast members were announced as being all Canadian - Jewel Staite, Victor Garber, Zach Smadu and Genelle Williams.[16]
In advance of the series premiere, Global announced in May 2021 that it had already renewed for a second season.[17]
On May 17, 2022, Global announced a third season, once again with ten episodes.[18]
Release
International
The series premiered in Italy on Sky Investigation on July 6, 2021.[19] International distribution is being managed by eOne.[20]
Nine Network is carrying the series in Australia.[21]
In the United States, The CW picked up the series and it premiered on October 2, 2022.[22]
Season 2 premiered on March 2022.[23] In Australia on October 5, 2022.[10]
Season 3 premiered in Australia on March 29, 2023,[12] In Nordics on April 19, 2023.[24]
References
- ^ "'Departure', 'The Equalizer' and 'neXt' All Coming to the Global TV Fall 2020 Lineup". ET Canada, June 23, 2020.
- ^ Family Law - GlobalTV.com
- ^ "Family Law Cast". Corus Entertainment. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "'Family Law': Sins of the Fathers". IMDb. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Global Fall Preview – FAMILY LAW". Holywood North News. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Gee, Dana (September 14, 2021). "Complicated family bound together by the law in new Vancouver-shot show" (Press release). Cision. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ "Brenden Sunderland". IMDb.
- ^ a b "OH, CANADA! NEW SEASONS OF CANADIAN ORIGINAL DRAMAS FAMILY LAW AND DEPARTURE RETURN, PLUS NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES SUPERFAN FEATURING SHANIA TWAIN JOIN GLOBAL AND STACKTV'S SUMMER LINEUP". Corus. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ "Top Programs - Total Canada (English)" (PDF). Numeris. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ a b "Watch Family Law". Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Family Law – Listings". Zap2It. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Watch Family Law". Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ The Fine Line (2022) - ISAN
- ^ To The End of Love (2022) - ISAN
- ^ David, Greg. "Global Greenlights New Original Legal Drama Family Law". TV, Eh?. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Townsend, Kelly. "Family Law opens for business". Playback. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Yeo, Debra (May 27, 2021). "Legal drama Family Law hasn't aired yet, but it's already been renewed". Toronto Star.
- ^ "GLOBAL GREENLIGHTS SEASON 3 OF ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES FAMILY LAW". tv-eh.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "'Avvocati di famiglia'". Antonio Genna, July 13, 2021.
- ^ Croll, Ben. "eOne Takes International Rights to 'Family Law". Variety. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "Watch Family Law". Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ "The CW Network Acquires Drama Series "Family Law" from Entertainment One, Adding to Its Growing Slate of Scripted Acquisitions" (Press release). The CW. March 31, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
- ^ "Family Law: Season 2 (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ Family Law - viaplay
External links
Categories:
- English-language television shows
- 2021 Canadian television series debuts
- 2020s Canadian drama television series
- Canadian legal television series
- Television shows filmed in Vancouver
- Television shows set in Vancouver
- Global Television Network original programming
- Television series about families
- Television series by Corus Entertainment
- Television series by Entertainment One