The Rainmaker (TV series)

The Rainmaker
Promotional release poster
GenreLegal drama
Based onThe Rainmaker by John Grisham
Developed byMichael Seitzman
Jason Richman
ShowrunnerMichael Seitzman
Starring
Music byClinton Shorter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes1
Production
Executive producers
  • Julia Cohen
  • Wendy Mericle
  • David Gernert
  • Russell Lee Fine
  • Jason Richman
  • Patrick Moran
  • John Grisham
  • Michael Seitzman
ProducerAdrian Kelly
CinematographyRussell Lee Fine
Editors
  • Bryan Lamoureux
  • Derek Holland
Production companies
Original release
NetworkUSA Network
ReleaseAugust 15, 2025 (2025-08-15) –
present

The Rainmaker is an American legal drama television series. Based on John Grisham's 1995 novel of the same name and starring John Slattery, it premiered on USA Network on August 15, 2025.

Premise

A hotshot young lawyer is fired from his prestigious white-collar firm and signs on with a small-time ambulance chaser and her less-than-honest paralegal who work out of a converted former restaurant. He soon finds himself facing off against his former employer in court when he takes on a wrongful death suit involving an African American man who died while undergoing hospital care.

Cast

Main

  • Milo Callaghan as Rudy Baylor, a recently hired associate at J. Lyman Stone and Associates who got fired on his first day at Tinley Britt
  • Lana Parrilla as Jocelyn "Bruiser" Stone, a senior partner of J. Lyman Stone and Associates
  • Madison Iseman as Sarah Plankmore, a first-year associate at Tinley Britt and Rudy's girlfriend
  • P. J. Byrne as Deck Shifflet, a paralawyer at J. Lyman Stone and Associates who failed the bar exam seven times
  • Dan Fogler as Melvin Pritcher, a nurse
  • Wade Briggs as Brad Noonan, a lawyer at Tinley Britt
  • Robyn Cara as Kelly Riker, Rudy's neighbor
  • John Slattery as Leo F. Drummond, a managing partner at Tinley Britt

Recurring

  • Tommie Earl Jenkins as Prince Thomas, the owner of Yogi’s Bar where Rudy works as a bartender

Episodes

No.Title [1]Directed byWritten by [2]Original release date [1]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Another Rainy Day"Russell Lee FineMichael Seitzman & Jason RichmanAugust 15, 2025 (2025-08-15)0.527[3]
2"Nashville Hot"TBAMichael SeitzmanAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)TBD
3"The Rule Book"TBABarbara Curry & Michael SeitzmanAugust 29, 2025 (2025-08-29)TBD
4TBATBAMichael SeitzmanSeptember 5, 2025 (2025-09-05)TBD

Production

Development

In 2018, it was reported that a television series adaptation of The Rainmaker was being developed by Michael Seitzman and Jason Richman for Hulu with ABC Studios. The series was slated to be set in a shared universe with an adaptation of another John Grisham novel, Rogue Lawyer; both series would have been produced concurrently and contain an intertwining storyline with shared characters, and would have been able to be watched on a parallel or standalone basis.[4] The parallel series concept did not go forward with Hulu.[5]

After signing a first-look deal with Blumhouse Television in 2021,[6] Seitzman began developing The Rainmaker as a standalone project with the studio. Blumhouse would offer it to Lionsgate Television, and USA Network would order it to series in June 2024. It was reported that the series was considered part of a pivot by the channel back towards producing original dramas in the vein of its previous "blue sky" era.[5]

Casting

On August 12, 2024, it was announced that John Slattery would star as Leo F. Drummond.[7] Two days later, it was announced that Madison Iseman would star as Sarah Plankmore.[8] On August 20, 2024, it was announced that Milo Callaghan would star as the leading role of Rudy Baylor.[9] The next day, it was reported that Lana Parrilla would star as Jocelyn "Bruiser" Stone,[10] and the following day, it was reported that P. J. Byrne would star as Deck Shifflet.[11] On September 4, 2024, it was reported that Robyn Cara would star as Kelly Riker.[12] On September 12, 2024, it was announced that Dan Fogler would star as Melvin Pritcher.[13] On September 27, 2024, it was announced that Wade Briggs would star as Brad Noonan.[14] On October 23, 2024, it was reported that Tommie Earl Jenkins would play Prince Thomas in a recurring role.[15]

Broadcast

The series premiered on USA Network on August 15, 2025.[16]

In Canada, Bell Media confirmed that the series would air on its local version of USA Network.[17][18]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 45% based on 20 critic reviews. [19] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 51 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average".[20]

References

  1. ^ a b "Shows A-Z - Rainmaker, The on USA". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  2. ^ "The Rainmaker". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  3. ^ Pucci, Douglas (August 18, 2025). "Friday Ratings: 4.2 Million View 'Stand Up to Cancer' Special Across Four Broadcast Networks". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 4, 2018). "Hulu Developing John Grisham Universe Multi-Series Project From Michael Seitzman, Jason Richman & ABC Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (June 12, 2024). "'The Rainmaker' Series From Michael Seitzman Ordered By USA Network In Scripted Relaunch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 26, 2021). "Michael Seitzman Inks First-Look TV Deal With Blumhouse". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Cordero, Rosy (August 12, 2024). "'The Rainmaker' Series Casts John Slattery as Iconic John Grisham Character". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  8. ^ Cordero, Rosy (August 14, 2024). "'The Rainmaker' Series Adds Madison Iseman As Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  9. ^ Cordero, Rosy (August 24, 2024). "Milo Callaghan Cast as Rudy Baylor in 'The Rainmaker'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  10. ^ Cordero, Rosy (August 21, 2024). "Lana Parrilla Joins USA Network's 'The Rainmaker' As Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  11. ^ Cordero, Rosy (August 22, 2024). "P.J. Byrne Joins Cast Of USA Network's 'The Rainmaker'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  12. ^ Cordero, Rosy (September 4, 2024). "'Bodkin' Star Robyn Cara Joins 'The Rainmaker' In Series Regular Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  13. ^ Cordero, Rosy (September 12, 2024). "'The Rainmaker' Adds Dan Fogler As Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  14. ^ Otterson, Joe (September 27, 2024). "'The Rainmaker' TV Series at USA Network Casts Wade Briggs (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  15. ^ Cordero, Rosy (October 23, 2024). "Tommie Earl Jenkins Set To Recur In USA Network's 'The Rainmaker'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  16. ^ Petski, Denise (June 4, 2025). "'The Rainmaker' Legal Drama Sets Premiere Date At USA Network; Unveils First Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  17. ^ "Bell Media's Discovery Channel Rebrands as USA Network in Canada on January 1 with a Blockbuster Mix of Programming". Bell Media. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  18. ^ Bell Media (October 17, 2024). "Bell Media Brings Powerhouse Brands USA Network and Oxygen True Crime to Canada" (Press release). Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  19. ^ "The Rainmaker: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  20. ^ "The Rainmaker: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
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