Perry Mason (2020 TV series) explained

Composer:Terence Blanchard
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:16
Editor:Mako Kamitsuna
Runtime:56–64 minutes
Network:HBO
Budget:$74.3 million (1)[1]

Perry Mason is an American period drama television series created by Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald for HBO. Based on the character of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner,[2] the series stars Matthew Rhys in the title role and premiered on June 21, 2020.

In July 2020, HBO renewed the series for a second season. In April 2021, it was announced that Jones and Fitzgerald left the series and were replaced as showrunners by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler.[3] The second season premiered on March 6, 2023. Both seasons have received mostly positive critical reviews, with praise going towards the cinematography, production design, and performances of its cast, particularly Rhys. In June 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons.

Premise

The series focuses on the origin story of famed defense lawyer Perry Mason. In 1932, Los Angeles is prospering while the rest of the U.S. is recovering from the grip of the Great Depression. Down-and-out private investigator Perry Mason is struggling with his trauma from The Great War and being divorced. He is hired for a sensational child kidnapping trial; his investigation results in major consequences for Mason, those around him, and local leaders.[4] [5]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Season 1

Season 2

Episodes

Season 2 (2023)

Production

Development

On August 15, 2016, it was reported that HBO was developing a drama series based on the Perry Mason stories written by Erle Stanley Gardner. The production was expected to be written by Nic Pizzolatto, who was also set to executive produce alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Joe Horacek. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Team Downey.[8] On August 25, 2017, it was announced that Pizzolatto had dropped out of the production in order to focus on the third season of True Detective and that he was being replaced as the project's writer by Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald.[9] The HBO revival and reboot adapted its setting to Great Depression-era Los Angeles, some twenty years earlier than the CBS show (but in line with the earliest novels by Gardner).[10]

On January 14, 2019, it was announced that HBO had given the production an order as a limited series. It was further announced that Jones, Fitzgerald, Susan Downey, and Amanda Burrell would serve as additional executive producers, that Matthew Rhys would serve as a producer, and that the production was in the process of hiring a director. Jones and Fitzgerald serve as showrunners for the series as well.[4] In March, Tim Van Patten was announced as director and executive producer.[11] On July 22, 2020, it was revealed HBO had decided to turn Perry Mason into a regular series, renewing it for a second season.[12] On April 23, 2021, it was announced Jones and Fitzgerald left the series and were replaced as showrunners by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler.[3] On June 6, 2023, HBO canceled the series after two seasons.[13]

Casting

Alongside the initial development announcement, it was said that Robert Downey Jr. would star as the titular Perry Mason. On July 25, 2018, it was reported that Downey had dropped out of the role due to his feature film schedule and that a search for his replacement was ongoing.[14] On January 14, 2019, it was announced that Matthew Rhys had been cast to replace Downey.[4] Tatiana Maslany joined in April.[15] John Lithgow was added to the cast in May.[16] In June, Chris Chalk and Shea Whigham were cast in lead roles, with Nate Corddry, Veronica Falcón, Jefferson Mays, Gayle Rankin and Lili Taylor set in recurring roles.[17] Juliet Rylance, Andrew Howard, Eric Lange, Robert Patrick and Stephen Root joined in July.[18] Justin Kirk would be added in October.[19] In "Chapter Five", Lithgow's real-life son Ian appears as E.B. Jonathan's son Byron.[20]

For the second season, Lange and Kirk were promoted to series regulars.[21] Diarra Kilpatrick, who recurred in season 1 as Clara Drake, was upgraded to series regular in October 2021 in addition to Katherine Waterston joining as a new series regular, and Hope Davis among 5 cast in recurring roles.[22] In January 2022, it was announced Whigham would be returning in a recurring capacity, while Sean Astin, Tommy Dewey, Paul Raci and Jen Tullock were cast in recurring roles.[23]

Release

The series premiered on June 21, 2020, on HBO and HBO Max.[24] The second season premiered on March 6, 2023.[25]

Home media

The first season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on December 1, 2020.[26]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, season one holds an approval rating of 75% based on 84 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Brimming with top notch performances and dripping in style, Perry Masons compelling mystery more than makes up for its somewhat messy story."[27] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28]

Ben Travers of IndieWire said that season one is "built with confidence, patience, and a voice calibrated for today's audiences" and gave it a "B+", writing: "Perry Mason stands as an astounding visual feat for its specific framings as well as its overall world-building. There are striking images of a pitch-black profile and lavish outdoor shots of real Los Angeles locations. In some shows, intimate conversations between two people can clash with the grander scenes... Mason has the intuition (and the budget) to not just balance visual opulence with smaller, private moments, but to blend them."[29]

Season two holds an approval rating of 84% based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "More cohesive and engaging than its woolly first installment, Perry Masons sophomore season is a marked improvement driven by an urgent sense of purpose, with Matthew Rhys commandingly watchable as ever."[30] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 71 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[31]

Ratings

With 1.7 million viewers across all platforms, the debut of Perry Mason was the strongest of any HBO series for two years.[32] [33]

Season 1

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2021American Society of Cinematographers AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in an Episode of a One-Hour Television Series – Non-CommercialDavid Franco (for "Chapter Three")[34]
Art Directors Guild AwardsExcellence in Production Design for a One-Hour Period or Fantasy Single-Camera SeriesJohn Perry Goldsmith (for "Chapter Three")[35]
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Drama SeriesPerry Mason[36]
Best Actor in a Drama SeriesMatthew Rhys
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJohn Lithgow
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actor – Television Series DramaMatthew Rhys[37]
Hollywood Critics Association TV AwardsBest Cable Series, DramaPerry Mason[38] [39]
Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, DramaMatthew Rhys
Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, DramaJohn Lithgow
Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, DramaTatiana Maslany
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild AwardsBest Television Series, Limited or Miniseries or New Media Series – Best Period and/or Character Make-UpChristien Tinsley, Corinne Foster, Steve Costanza and Gerry Quist[40]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesMatthew Rhys [41]
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJohn Lithgow
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One Hour)David Franco
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)John Goldsmith, Chris Farmer and Halina Siwolop
Satellite AwardsBest Actor in a Drama / Genre SeriesMatthew Rhys[42]
Saturn AwardsBest Television Presentation (under 10 Episodes)Perry Mason[43]

Notes and References

  1. 2019 Television Report . FilmL.A. . 20. May 11, 2020. July 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200713095935/https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2019_TV_Report_WEB.pdf. live.
  2. Web site: HBO's Noir 'Perry Mason' Reboot Gets Premiere Date, Teaser Trailer . . Tom . Tapp . April 16, 2020 . May 1, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010329/https://deadline.com/2020/04/hbo-perry-mason-reboot-premiere-dates-trailer-1202910173/ . live.
  3. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Jack Amiel & Michael Begler Ink Big Overall Deal With HBO, Join 'Perry Mason' As Showrunners; Ron Fitzgerald & Rolin Jones Exit. Deadline Hollywood. April 23, 2021. April 23, 2021. April 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423210038/https://deadline.com/2021/04/jack-amiel-ron-fitzgerald-rolin-jones-exit-1234742656/. bot: unknown.
  4. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . Matthew Rhys To Star In Title Role Of HBO's 'Perry Mason' Limited Series From Team Downey . . January 14, 2019 . January 14, 2019 . en . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010324/https://deadline.com/2019/01/matthew-rhys-star-perry-mason-reboot-hbo-limited-origin-series-team-downey-1202534921/ . live.
  5. Web site: Perry Mason . HBO . July 6, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010324/https://www.hbo.com/perry-mason . live.
  6. Web site: Perry Mason: Tatiana Maslany Not Returning as Sister Alice in Season 2. Ausiello. Michael. April 9, 2021. TVLine. April 9, 2021. April 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210409201245/https://tvline.com/2021/04/09/tatiana-maslany-leaving-perry-mason-season-2-sister-alice/. live.
  7. Web site: Review: 'Perry Mason' Returns, Hard-Boiled and Warmed Over . The New York Times . James . Poniewozik . June 18, 2020 . July 6, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010324/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/arts/television/review-perry-mason-hbo.html . live.
  8. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . HBO Eyes Series From Robert Downey Jr. & 'True Detective' Creator Nic Pizzolatto . . August 15, 2016 . January 14, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010358/https://deadline.com/2016/08/hbo-eyes-series-from-robert-downey-jr-true-detective-creator-nic-pizzolatto-1201803911/ . live.
  9. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Perry Mason HBO Drama Project Starring Robert Downey Jr. Sets New Writers . . August 25, 2017 . January 14, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010325/https://deadline.com/2017/08/hbo-perry-mason-reboot-robert-downey-jr-star-new-writers-rolin-jones-and-ron-fitzgerald-1202156373/ . live.
  10. News: HBO Releases A 'Perry Mason' Makeover . . Eric . Deggans . June 22, 2020 . September 3, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010326/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/22/881826888/hbo-releases-a-perry-mason-make-over . live.
  11. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . HBO's 'Perry Mason' Limited Series Gets Green Light With Tim Van Patten Directing . . March 22, 2019 . May 8, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010350/https://deadline.com/2019/03/hbo-perry-mason-limited-series-green-light-tim-van-patten-direct-team-downey-mathew-rhys-1202580838/ . live.
  12. Web site: 'Perry Mason' Renewed For Season 2 At HBO . Deadline Hollywood . Peter . White . July 22, 2020. July 22, 2020. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010326/https://deadline.com/2020/07/perry-mason-renewed-for-season-2-at-hbo-1202992061/. live.
  13. Web site: 'Perry Mason' Canceled By HBO After 2 Seasons . . Nellie . Andreeva . June 6, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230606215248/https://deadline.com/2023/06/perry-mason-canceled-hbo-2-seasons-matthew-rhys-1235409083/ . live .
  14. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . HBO's Perry Mason Reboot Looking For New Actor For the Lead, Robert Downey Jr. Remains Executive Producer . . July 25, 2018 . January 14, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010326/https://deadline.com/2018/07/perry-mason-reboot-hbo-new-actor-for-the-lead-robert-downey-jr-remains-executive-producer-1202433638/ . live.
  15. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . Tatiana Maslany To Star In HBO's 'Perry Mason' Limited Series From Team Downey . . April 12, 2019 . May 8, 2019 . April 12, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190412191849/https://deadline.com/2019/04/tatiana-maslany-hbo-perry-mason-limited-series-team-downey-matthew-rhys-1202594604/ . live.
  16. Web site: Petski . Denise . John Lithgow To Star In HBO's 'Perry Mason' Limited Series From Team Downey . . May 7, 2019 . May 8, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010329/https://deadline.com/2019/05/john-lithgow-hbo-perry-mason-limited-series-team-downey-1202608975/ . live.
  17. Web site: 'Perry Mason': Chris Chalk, Shea Whigham, Nate Corddry Among Seven Cast In HBO Limited Series . Denise . Petski . . June 28, 2019 . April 18, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010330/https://deadline.com/2019/06/perry-mason-chris-chalk-shea-whigham-nate-corddry-cast-hbo-limited-series-1202639489/ . live.
  18. Web site: 'Perry Mason': Juliet Rylance, Andrew Howard, Eric Lange, Robert Patrick & Stephen Root Join HBO Limited Series . Denise . Petski . . July 23, 2019 . April 18, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010330/https://deadline.com/2019/07/perry-mason-juliet-rylance-andrew-howard-eric-lange-robert-patrick-stephen-root-join-hbo-limited-series-1202651186/ . live.
  19. Web site: Justin Kirk To Recur In HBO's 'Perry Mason' Limited Series From Team Downey . Denise . Petski . . October 14, 2019 . April 18, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010330/https://deadline.com/2019/10/justin-kirk-recur-hbo-perry-mason-limited-series-team-downey-1202759941/ . live.
  20. Web site: 'Perry Mason' Season 1, Episode 5 Recap: Leaps of Faith . The New York Times . Sean T. . Collins . July 19, 2020 . November 11, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010331/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/19/arts/television/perry-mason-recap-episode-5.html . live.
  21. Web site: 'Perry Mason': Eric Lange & Justin Kirk Upped To Series Regulars For Season 2 . . Nellie . Andreeva . February 25, 2021 . February 26, 2021. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225182454/https://deadline.com/2021/02/perry-mason-eric-lange-justin-kirk-promoted-series-regulars-season-2-1234700601/. live.
  22. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . 'Perry Mason' Season 2: Katherine Waterston, Hope Davis Among 7 Joining Cast; Diarra Kilpatrick Promoted To Series Regular . . November 4, 2021 . November 4, 2021 . November 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104184944/https://deadline.com/2021/11/perry-mason-season-2-katherine-waterston-hope-davis-new-cast-diarra-kilpatrick-promoted-to-series-regular-1234868184/ . live .
  23. Web site: Del Rosario . Alexandra . 'Perry Mason': Sean Astin, Tommy Dewey, 'Sound Of Metal's Paul Raci & Jen Tullock To Recur In Season 2 Of HBO Drama . . January 20, 2022 . January 20, 2022 . January 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220120235349/https://deadline.com/2022/01/perry-mason-sean-astin-tommy-dewey-paul-race-join-season-2-hbo-1234916699/ . live .
  24. Drama Series PERRY MASON Debuts June 21. Warner Media. April 16, 2020. March 6, 2023. March 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230307020336/https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/ca/media-release/hbo-0/perry-mason/drama-series-perry-mason-debuts-june-21. live.
  25. Season Two Of HBO Original Drama Series PERRY MASON Debuts March 6. Warner Media. December 7, 2022. December 7, 2022. December 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221207212732/https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/ca/media-release/season-two-hbo-original-drama-series-perry-mason-debuts-march-6. live.
  26. Web site: Lovell . Kevin . September 21, 2020 . 'Perry Mason: The Complete First Season'; Arrives On Blu-ray & DVD December 1, 2020 From HBO – Warner Bros . Screen-Connections . January 21, 2023 . January 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230120182241/https://screen-connections.com/2020/09/21/perry-mason-season-1-hbo-blu-ray-dvd-details/ . live .
  27. perry_mason_2020. Perry Mason. tv. 1. August 10, 2020. y.
  28. perry-mason-2020. Perry Mason. tv. 1. June 26, 2020. y.
  29. News: Travers . Ben . 'Perry Mason' Review: HBO's Swank Noir Is One of the Most Beautiful Series Ever Made . June 18, 2020 . . June 26, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010338/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/perry-mason-review-hbo-1202238320/ . live.
  30. perry_mason_2020. Perry Mason. tv. 2. June 26, 2023. y.
  31. perry-mason-2020. Perry Mason. tv. 2. March 14, 2023. y.
  32. Perry Mason surprises with HBO's biggest ratings debut in years . . June 22, 2020 . James . Hibberd . July 10, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010412/https://ew.com/tv/perry-mason-hbo-ratings/ . live.
  33. Web site: 'Perry Mason' Draws Largest Premiere Night Multi-Platform Viewership For HBO Series In Almost 2 Years . Nellie . Andreeva . June 22, 2020 . . July 10, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115010412/https://deadline.com/2020/06/perry-mason-premiere-ratings-hbo-largest-premiere-night-multi-platform-viewership-2-years-1202966612/ . live.
  34. Web site: Tapp. Tom. April 18, 2021. ASC Awards: 'Mank,' 'The Crown,' 'The Mandalorian' Take Top Honors – Full Winners List. April 18, 2021. Deadline. en-US. April 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418195445/https://deadline.com/2021/04/asc-american-society-conematographers-awards-nominees-winners-list-1234739085/. live.
  35. Web site: Art Directors Guild Awards 2021: Full List of Nominations. Variety. Jazz. Tangcay. February 25, 2021. March 9, 2021. March 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210301025403/https://variety.com/2021/artisans/awards/art-directors-guild-nominations-mank-tenet-1234915129/. live.
  36. Web site: 'Ozark,' 'The Crown' and Netflix Lead 26th Annual Critics' Choice Awards TV Nominations . Schneider . Michael . January 18, 2021 . Variety . January 18, 2021 . January 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210118230541/https://variety.com/2021/tv/awards/ozark-the-crown-schitts-creek-26th-annual-critics-choice-awards-tv-nominations-2021-1234887254/ . live .
  37. Web site: Golden Globes 2021: The Complete Nominations List . Oganesyan . Natalie . Moreau . Jordan . February 3, 2021 . Variety . February 3, 2021 . February 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210203182501/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-golden-globes-nominations-list-nominees-1234896457/ . live .
  38. Web site: Ted Lasso, The Handmaid's Tale, and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist lead Inaugural HCA TV Awards Nominations. Hollywood Critics Association. Scott. Menzel. July 8, 2021. July 11, 2021. en-US. July 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711020624/https://hollywoodcriticsassociation.com/ted-lasso-the-handmaids-tale-and-zoeys-extraordinary-playlist-lead-inaugural-hca-tv-awards-nominations/. live.
  39. Web site: 'Ted Lasso,' 'The Crown,' 'The Mandalorian,' 'Cruel Summer,' 'New Amsterdam' Among HCA TV Awards Winners . Variety . Michael . Schneider . August 29, 2021 . August 30, 2021 . August 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210830074226/https://variety.com/2021/tv/awards/ted-lasso-crown-mandalorian-cruel-summer-hca-tv-awards-2021-1235051600/ . live .
  40. Web site: Giardina. Carolyn. February 18, 2021. 'Bill & Ted Face the Music' Leads Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations. February 25, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. February 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210223184010/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/make-up-artists-and-hair-stylists-guild-awards-nominations-announced. live.
  41. Web site: Perry Mason . Emmys.com . . July 13, 2021 . July 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210717212507/https://www.emmys.com/shows/perry-mason . live .
  42. Web site: 25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced . Van Blaricom . Mirjana . February 1, 2021 . . February 1, 2021 . April 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210425122636/https://www.pressacademy.com/news/25th-satellite-awards-nominees-for-motion-pictures-and-television-announced/ . live .
  43. Web site: Hipes . Patrick . March 4, 2021 . Saturn Awards Nominations: 'The Batman', 'Nightmare Alley', 'Spider-Man', 'Better Call Saul' Top List . September 23, 2022 . . en-US . March 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210307215716/https://deadline.com/2021/03/saturn-awards-nominations-2021-nominees-list-1234706492/ . live .

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