The Good Fight

Did You Know?

• In Canada, the series was picked up by Corus Entertainment to air on W Network, with the broadcast premiere simulcast on Global.
• Channel 4 acquired UK broadcast rights for More4, where the series debuted on March 30, 2017.
• HBO began airing the first season in various European territories on June 1, 2017.

Premise

Set a year after the finale of The Good Wife, a massive financial scam ruins the reputation of young lawyer Maia Rindell and depletes the savings of her mentor, Diane Lockhart. Forced out of their previous firm, Diane and Maia join Diane's former employee Lucca Quinn at Reddick, Boseman, & Kolstad, a prestigious African American–owned firm known for taking on Illinois police brutality cases. By season two, Diane becomes a named partner, and the firm is renamed Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart. The series initially focuses on the three female leads—Diane, Lucca, and Maia—and incorporates political and social commentary on topics like the alt-right, the MeToo movement, online harassment, and fake news. Diane, a longtime Democrat, struggles with Trump-era politics. Lucca balances her career and a romance with US Attorney Colin Morello, while Maia faces FBI pressure over her father's Ponzi scheme. The firm also hires Marissa Gold, a recurring character from The Good Wife, as a private investigator. The show features an extensive supporting cast of recurring opposing counsel, clients, and officials.

Cast and characters

Christine Baranski portrays Diane Lockhart, who loses her savings in a financial scam and joins Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad, later becoming a name partner in Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart, which eventually becomes Reddick Lockhart. Rose Leslie plays Maia Rindell (seasons 1–3), Diane's goddaughter and a new associate. Erica Tazel appears as Barbara Kolstad (season 1; guest season 2), a name partner who leaves in season two. Cush Jumbo plays Lucca Quinn (seasons 1–4; guest season 5), an associate who becomes head of divorce law at RBL in season three. Delroy Lindo portrays Adrian Boseman (seasons 1–4; guest season 5), the attorney who hires Diane. Sarah Steele plays Marissa Gold, Diane's assistant and later an investigator. Justin Bartha appears as Colin Morrello (seasons 1–2), a US Attorney and later a congressman. Nyambi Nyambi plays Jay DiPersia (seasons 2–6; recurring season 1), the lead investigator. Michael Boatman portrays Julius Cain (seasons 2–6; recurring season 1), a managing partner and later a federal judge. Audra McDonald plays Liz Reddick (seasons 2–6), a former US Attorney and name partner. Michael Sheen appears as Roland Blum (season 3), a new attorney inspired by Roy Cohn and Roger Stone. Zach Grenier plays David Lee (seasons 4–5; guest seasons 1 & 6), a partner at STR Laurie.

Production

In February 2016, the Kings mentioned a possible spin-off from The Good Wife. By May 2016, CBS was finalizing a spin-off featuring Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart for CBS All Access, officially ordered on May 18, with Cush Jumbo returning. In September 2016, the 10-episode spin-off was confirmed for a February 2017 premiere, picking up a year after the original series. The premiere was moved from May 2017 to February 2017 due to production delays on Star Trek: Discovery. The title The Good Fight was revealed on October 31, 2016, and the first trailer debuted on December 18, 2016. The series premiered on February 19, 2017. On March 15, 2017, CBS All Access renewed it for a second season of 13 episodes, premiering March 4, 2018. A third season was ordered on May 2, 2018, premiering March 14, 2019. A fourth season was renewed on April 23, 2019, premiering April 9, 2020; only 7 of 10 episodes were completed before the COVID-19 pandemic halted production. A fifth season was renewed on May 14, 2020, premiering June 24, 2021, on Paramount+. On July 20, 2021, a sixth and final season was ordered, premiering September 8, 2022.

Reception

The Good Fight has received widespread praise. The first season holds a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 57 critics, with an average rating of 8.18/10, and a Metacritic score of 80 from 45 critics. The Los Angeles Times noted that the Kings still had the Good Wife magic and needed a clean slate. Vox.com praised its use of political themes as a defense of liberal values. The second season has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 28 reviews, with an average rating of 9.43/10, and a Metacritic score of 70 from five critics. The third season has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 23 reviews, with an average rating of 9/10, and a Metacritic score of 83 from eight critics. The critical consensus for the first season called it an auspicious beginning for CBS All Access, while the second season was described as angry but fun, and the third season was noted for pulling no punches in its social commentary.