Boston Legal Fodder

Boston Legal: Season 3 Cast Changes

The casts of David E. Kelley shows are never stable. I imagine the stars lay awake at night wondering if they will be filming a scene in a freezer any time soon.

This year Boston Legal found a stable cast in Spader, Shatner, Bergen, Bowen, Valley and Auberjonois - but ABC has already hinted at a new male lead and it is likely somebody above will be packing their bags.

James Spader, William Shatner and Candice Bergen are no doubt safe.
I think Rene Auberjonois is because his character, while not always fully used, is always able to give an opinion and help move the story along. He is also a good straight character to contrast the above more colorful characters.

That leaves Julie Bowen and Mark Valley.

Valley has been in the show since day one but his character hasn't quite panned out. During the first season he was underused and this season his character has still failed to take much storyline. I think that the producers would like to keep him with the show, otherwise he would have gone during the Season 1/2 break but might have to let him go - especially as a new male spot seems to be up for grabs.

Bowen's character, while surviving the season, has not been fully developed and I don't think she has mass interest. The setup at the end of Season 2 made it clear she might leave, if a new female lead is joining the show (such as Parker Posey) she might be kept around (especially with The Squid) for some jealous storylines. She could also be a romantic interest for the possible male lead, although we predict he will be an older character (Tom Selleck or Robert Wagner are rumored).

As for additions, we believe that a male lead will either be white 45-65 or african american 25-50; and a female lead would be white 25-35.

Our best guesses are:

Julie Bowen out
Parker Posey in
New african-american male lead

The reasoning for the drops are above and here are our reasons for the additions:

We find that Tom Selleck would be an unlikely addition, a. Tom Selleck doesn't seem to be lining up for a steady show and b. the character wouldn't fit in at the firm, we already have the Denny + Shirley relationship.
Parker Posey seems like a good fit for the firm and many enjoyed her guest spots this season, the character of Marlene Stranger was set to make partner.
Julie Bowen leaving could also flesh out the character of Brad Chase, a character the produces appear to like.
Boston Legal has been critized for not having an diveristy among the cast - adding an african-american lead would be helpful to the shows reputation.

We will follow the cast developments through the summer .

Posted by on June 26, 2006 06:49 AM
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Actually, I think Rene Auberjonois has a decent chance of leaving the show. It's implied that he is seriously thinking of starting his own firm, and he's expressed his interest in going into private practice with Julie Bowen's character.

Julie Bowen's character also poses a high risk of leaving the show as her chances of making partner have pretty much evaporated (or at least as I am to understand). Julie Bowen out, The Squid in? I'll miss her if she's out.

Mark Valley's character is somewhat likely to leave but I feel his character is strong enough and versatile enough to be kept on the show. But who knows, he may run for office (his interest was implied).

So much for Michelle Bathe and the other young guy that we saw less and less of and eventually none of as season 2 progressed. haha.

I do hope Alan Shore's current secretary is there to stay.

-- Posted by: Phil at June 26, 2006 11:48 PM

Alan's secretary has a good chance of staying, the actress' pilot didn't get picked up.

-- Posted by: Rory at June 27, 2006 05:14 AM

I hate to be happy about that. haha

-- Posted by: Phil at June 27, 2006 03:29 PM

I would actually hate to see Julie's character replaced by Parker Posey's; while there is value in their (dysfunctional) relationship, that is all there is right now for Parker. In the meanwhile, she seems to make the show too sexual with Spader. Granted, the sexual humor is a trademark of the show, but what went on between the two of them past her first episode was just crass and not, well, humorous. So if she stayed, that would have to change - they could have some plotlines in her scorning Spader.
Mark could well be developed more, but not with the addition of another guy. So, I think that Rene will leave with Julie, Parker will stay, Mark will be featured more and a rookie guy will come on.

-- Posted by: Bret at June 27, 2006 05:46 PM

I hope they're not getting rid of Julie. I really like her character and the funny stuff she's got going on with Mark's character. I thought Parker Posey character's plotline/personality was just plain stupid.

-- Posted by: sketchgrrl at June 28, 2006 01:42 AM

So you folks know a lot about this show...does James Spader wear stomach padding to *appear* to be heavy (in keeping with the character) or has he actually picked up that much weight?

-- Posted by: New Guy at June 29, 2006 05:35 PM

No. I think in recent years he has gained weight.

Shatner may be wearing something to hide his ;)

-- Posted by: Rory at June 29, 2006 06:16 PM

I think the show which was my favorite when it first aired, became too political. I don't think we should interject politics in a show that stands on it's own, as enteraining.

I certainly will stop watching if the writers don't stop interjecting their political views.

Check out the red states, guys. We don't like some of the stuff you try to force feed us.

-- Posted by: M Abbott at July 29, 2006 02:46 PM

A lot of David E. Kelley shows will tackle moral issues, Boston Legal certainly injects politics along with the morals.

I personally prefer the moral debates (like Picket Fences) rather than the political debates that Boston Legal has.

Of course, the show is fairly balanced with Alan and Denny, liberal & conservative.

-- Posted by: Rory at July 29, 2006 03:54 PM

i believe if u dotn like the show watch something else and dont talk bad about how it portray the politics in it....its a smashing hit and its doing great the way it is so PISS OFF!!!!

-- Posted by: bob saget at January 29, 2007 07:26 PM