For the People

Watch For the People

  • TV-PG
  • 2018
  • 2 Seasons
  • 7.3  (6,317)

For the People is an American legal drama television series that premiered on ABC in March 2018. The show follows the lives and cases of six young lawyers working on both sides of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Hope Davis plays Jill Carlan, the Public Defender supervisor who leads the four public defenders in the series. Ben Shenkman portrays Roger Gunn, the Chief of the Criminal Division who oversees the Assistant US Attorneys' (AUSAs) cases. Jasmin Savoy Brown plays Allison Adams, an AUSA who works alongside Kate Littlejohn (Susannah Flood) and Leonard Knox (Regé-Jean Page) under the leadership of their boss, Seth Oliver (Ben Rappaport).

The series takes a close look at the personal lives of these six lawyers, showing the toll that their challenging work takes on their relationships with each other and the people in their lives. It goes beyond the typical legal drama of courtroom battles and delves into the characters' personal struggles and moral dilemmas as they face tough ethical questions in their pursuit of justice.

The show's cast is diverse, featuring actors of different races and genders in prominent roles. This includes a lesbian romance subplot between Kate and her girlfriend, which is a rare representation of LGBTQ relationships on mainstream television. The show also deals with topics like racism in the criminal justice system, voter suppression, and police brutality, making it a socially conscious and relevant show for the current era.

Throughout the two seasons, the series follows the core characters as they tackle several high-profile cases that test their legal acumen and personal convictions. The cases are often ripped from the headlines, including one about a man accused of being a serial killer, a class warfare case involving a faulty voting machine, and a lawsuit brought against the NYPD for wrongful arrest and harassment.

One of the series' strengths is its focus on portraying law as a messy and complicated business. It's not just about winning or losing a case; it's about the personal sacrifices made by the lawyers themselves, whether it's lying to a client, crossing ethical boundaries, or fighting for a cause that may be unpopular. This humanizes the legal profession and gives the show a unique perspective on the complexities of the justice system.

As a legal drama, For the People stands out with its sharp writing, snappy pacing, and excellent ensemble cast. The actors bring their A-game to each episode, creating characters that are complex, flawed, and ultimately relatable. The show's creators also make sure to incorporate elements of comedy and romance, balancing the serious subject matter with lighter moments that keep the show from feeling too heavy.

Overall, For the People is a smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking legal drama that deserves more attention than it received during its two-season run. It's a show that humanizes the law and its practitioners, and offers a nuanced view of the justice system that's both entertaining and informative. Highly recommended for fans of legal dramas looking for a fresh take on the genre.

For the People is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (20 episodes). The series first aired on March 13, 2018.

For the People
Filter by Source

Seasons
A Choice Between Two Things
10. A Choice Between Two Things
May 16, 2019
On Election Day, Jay turns to Kate and the team for help after his parents and other voters are illegally intimidated at their polling place. Meanwhile, Roger and Jill's relationship is at an impasse when Sandra learns that they are romantically involved and challenges Jill's judgement. Elsewhere, Seth gets assigned to the case of a lifetime, but his anxiety increases when he is appointed a bodyguard to help protect him, all while Sandra and Ted take their relationship up a notch.
Who Are We Now?
9. Who Are We Now?
May 9, 2019
Sandra and Kate's relationship is put to the test when they go head-to-head over a high-profile bank robbery case. On the defense side, Alison helps Jay as he decides to take an unconventional approach defending their war veteran client. Meanwhile, Tina gives Roger advice about his relationship with Jill, a relationship beginning to show its cracks.
Moral Suasion
8. Moral Suasion
May 2, 2019
Allison defends a man arrested for selling illegal cigarettes and is determined to get him released without bail. Elsewhere, Judge Byrne is called to jury duty where his excitement for a chance at experiencing the criminal justice system from another perspective is quickly tempered by the harsh realities of the process. Meanwhile, Sandra is still emotionally recovering after sending her client to prison for murder.
The Boxer
7. The Boxer
April 18, 2019
Sandra is tasked with negotiating a plea agreement for a homeless man accused of trespassing a national wildlife refuge. However, she later suspects that he might have been involved in a more serious offense and enlists Ted to help her investigate. Meanwhile, Roger and Jill's relationship is tested when the prosecution is forced to subpoena Sandra after learning she may have further knowledge of the crime. Elsewhere, Seth starts spiraling out of control after accidentally stealing evidence in a drug case.
You Belong Here
6. You Belong Here
April 11, 2019
Leonard takes on one of the country's best and most prolific litigators in a case that leads him to grapple with his personal feelings related to race and privilege in America. Back at the public defender's office, Jay takes on his first drug case, but things heat up when he has to work with a rather unconventional lawyer. Elsewhere, Sandra tries to prove she's not a workaholic and bonds with Ted over boxing to let off some much-needed steam.
One Big Happy Family
5. One Big Happy Family
April 4, 2019
Sandra urges Kate to take on a case against a very powerful and well-respected judge who is accused of wrongfully sentencing young children for profit. When Judge Bryne is asked to testify in the case, he questions his role in the rigid justice system and must make a very difficult decision. Elsewhere, Seth temporarily moves in with Jay until a leak in his apartment is fixed.
The Vast, Immovable Object
4. The Vast, Immovable Object
March 28, 2019
The team in the public defender's office takes on the case of a young man accused of strangling a woman to death and are determined to prove him innocent. Meanwhile, Tina and Sandra go head-to-head after a man is arrested while transporting a body part through the airport. Elsewhere, Seth and Leonard grow closer after they are tasked with speaking to a conference of an unusually young group of future lawyers
Minimum Continuing Legal Education
3. Minimum Continuing Legal Education
March 21, 2019
Seth becomes committed to taking an immune international diplomat to trial so he can get out of general crime and onto a more senior unit. Sandra works on a kidnapping case and is convinced the kidnapping was an accident. Meanwhile, Jay is certain that taking a different route to work will determine how successful he will be in the courtroom
This is America
2. This is America
March 14, 2019
Tina defiantly insists on protecting a young boy after his father, a witness in Leonard's case, has a run-in with agents that could lead to his deportation; Kate is determined to establish her worth to Roger and takes on a significant murder case.
First Inning
1. First Inning
March 7, 2019
In the Season 2 premiere, Sandra, with the help of new investigator Ted, defends a teenage gamer whose online argument leads to a police raid that ends with the death of a U.S. senator. A personal connection to the "swatting" case makes Roger determined to charge the teenager to the fullest extent of the law and pushes Kate to her limits in the process. Meanwhile, Jay is tasked with defending New York's most spoiled millennial from going to jail for her petty crimes.
Description
Where to Watch For the People
For the People is available for streaming on the ABC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch For the People on demand at Amazon, Hulu, Vudu, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play, Apple TV, The CW and CW Seed.
  • Premiere Date
    March 13, 2018
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (6,317)