The Trials of Rosie O'Neill (1990)
A sharp CBS legal drama starring Sharon Gless as a newly divorced Los Angeles public defender rediscovering herself through the cases she fights.
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill - Series Information
- Original Title: The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
- First Air Year: 1990
- Last Air Year: 1992
- Created by: Barney Rosenzweig, Joe Cacaci et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 34
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 17, 1990 (Canada - 14+), September 17, 1990 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: The Rosenzweig Company, MTM Enterprises
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill - Plot
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill is an American television drama series, which aired on CBS from 1990 to 1992. The show stars Sharon Gless as Fiona Rose "Rosie" O'Neill, a lawyer working in the public defender's office for the City of Los Angeles. The show marked the return of Gless to series television after her Emmy-winning run on Cagney & Lacey.
"Rosie" was produced by Cagney & Lacey producer Barney Rosenzweig, whom Gless married in 1991. Despite the show's brilliant writing and production, it did not sustain a sizable audience, and was canceled by CBS in 1992.
Each episode opens with Rosie talking with her therapist, whose face was never seen on camera. Rosie had been at the receiving end of an unwanted divorce, after her attorney husband had an affair. The advertisement for the series which appeared in TV Guide the night the series debuted told the story as follows: "I'm 43 and divorced. He got our law practice, the Mercedes, and the dog. It's only fair that I should be angry. I really liked that dog."
The show's cast also included Dorian Harewood, Ron Rifkin, Georgann Johnson, Lisa Rieffel, and Robert Wagner. Season 2 saw two new cast additions: Ed Asner joined the cast as the cantankerous Kovac, a retired cop hired by Rosie's law firm as one of their investigators. David Rasche was cast in a recurring dramatic role as Patrick Ginty, Rosie's ex-husband who was often referred to but never seen in the first season. Adding Asner to the regular cast squeezed out Dorian Harewood, who was billed as "Special Guest Star" in all season 2 episodes.
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The Trials of Rosie O'Neill - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Barney Rosenzweig
- Joe Cacaci
- Beth Sullivan
Main Cast
- Lisa Banes
- Sharon Gless
- Lisa Rieffel
- Ron Rifkin
- Dorian Harewood
- Georgann Johnson
- Ed Asner
- Dayna Winston
- Tony Perez
- Bridget Gless
Writers
- Nicole Yorkin
- Paul Eric Myers
- Josef Anderson
- Judy Merl
- Dawn Prestwich
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill - FAQs
What connection does The Trials of Rosie O'Neill have to Cagney & Lacey?
The series marked Sharon Gless's return to television after her Emmy-winning role on Cagney & Lacey. It was also produced by Barney Rosenzweig, who had produced that iconic series — and whom Gless married in 1991, making this a deeply personal reunion project for both.
Why was The Trials of Rosie O'Neill cancelled after two seasons?
Despite strong writing and critical appreciation, the show struggled to build a large enough audience on CBS to justify continuation. It was cancelled in 1992 after two seasons and 34 episodes — a fate that frustrated many fans who considered it one of the more intelligent dramas of its era.
What is The Trials of Rosie O'Neill about?
Sharon Gless plays Rosie O'Neill, a 43-year-old divorce survivor who trades her comfortable attorney lifestyle for a job in the Los Angeles public defender's office. Each episode opens with Rosie in therapy, blending sharp legal storytelling with personal reinvention in a format that felt both intimate and socially engaged.
Where can you stream The Trials of Rosie O'Neill?
The series is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Free ad-supported options include The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Xumo Play, and Fawesome. Episodes can also be purchased on Amazon Video, or accessed through the Dove Amazon Channel.
Who joined the cast in Season 2 of The Trials of Rosie O'Neill?
Season 2 brought two notable additions: Ed Asner as Walter Kovacs, a gruff retired cop working as a firm investigator, and David Rasche as Patrick Ginty, Rosie's ex-husband who had been referenced but never seen in Season 1. Asner's addition effectively reduced Dorian Harewood to a guest-star role.
Who are the main actors in The Trials of Rosie O'Neill?
Sharon Gless leads the cast as Rosie O'Neill, supported by Ron Rifkin, Lisa Rieffel, Georgann Johnson, Dorian Harewood, and Lisa Banes. Season 2 added Ed Asner and David Rasche. Robert Wagner also appeared in the series, alongside guest turns from Helen Hunt and Yaphet Kotto.
Did The Trials of Rosie O'Neill win any awards?
Sharon Gless received Golden Globe nominations for her performance as Rosie O'Neill, continuing the awards recognition she had earned on Cagney & Lacey. The series was widely praised by critics for its writing quality, even as it failed to attract the broad viewership needed to survive on network television.
What shows are similar to The Trials of Rosie O'Neill?
Fans of the series often enjoy L.A. Law, The Practice, and Goliath for their sharp legal drama and complex characters. Rumpole of the Bailey offers a similarly witty, character-driven courtroom experience. For more contemporary options, Reasonable Doubt and Silk capture a comparable blend of legal tension and personal drama.
More About The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
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