For the People (2018)
A sharp Shondaland legal drama following rookie lawyers on both sides of America's highest-stakes federal courtrooms.
For the People - Series Information
- Original Title: For the People
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Paul William Davies
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (43 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 20
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 13, 2018 (United States - TV-PG), March 13, 2018 (Germany - 12), March 13, 2018 (France - 18), March 13, 2018 (Australia - M), March 13, 2018 (Brazil - 14), March 13, 2018 (Spain - 18)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Lucha por la justicia (MX), 律政新丁 (CN), 護法為民 (中國), Black's Law (US)
- Production Companies: shondaland, ABC Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
For the People - Plot
Brand new lawyers work for both the defense and the prosecution as they handle the most high profile and high stakes cases in the country – all as their personal lives intersect.
For the People - Trailer
See the action unfold in the official trailer for this Shondaland courtroom drama:
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For the People - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Paul William Davies
Main Cast
- Hope Davis
- Ben Shenkman
- Jasmin Savoy Brown
- Susannah Flood
- Wesam Keesh
- Regé-Jean Page
- Ben Rappaport
- Britt Robertson
- Anna Deavere Smith
- Vondie Curtis-Hall
Writers
- Paul William Davies
- Michelle Lirtzman
- Eli Attie
- Zahir McGhee
- Karine Rosenthal
For the People - FAQs
Who plays Leonard Knox in For the People?
Leonard Knox is played by Regé-Jean Page, who would later become a global star thanks to Bridgerton. In For the People, he portrays an ambitious and sharp-tongued federal prosecutor, and his charismatic performance was widely noted as one of the show's standout elements.
Is For the People worth watching for legal drama fans?
If you enjoy fast-paced courtroom drama with a strong ensemble cast, For the People delivers. Created by Shondaland, it blends high-stakes federal cases with compelling personal storylines. The sharp writing and a talented cast — including a pre-Bridgerton Regé-Jean Page — make it an engaging, binge-worthy watch.
Where can you stream For the People?
For the People is available to stream on Hulu. If you prefer to own the series, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Why was For the People cancelled after two seasons?
ABC cancelled For the People in 2019 after two seasons, primarily due to low viewership ratings. Despite critical appreciation for its ensemble cast and sharp writing, the show struggled to build a large enough audience to justify renewal, a common fate for mid-season legal dramas on network television.
Who created For the People on ABC?
For the People was created by Paul William Davies and produced under Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland banner in partnership with ABC Studios. Davies also served as a writer on the series, contributing to its distinctive blend of courtroom tension and character-driven storytelling across both seasons.
Is For the People based on a true story?
For the People is not based on a single true story. It is an original fictional drama, though it draws on the real-world structure of the U.S. federal court system. The cases depicted are invented, but the show reflects authentic dynamics of federal prosecution and public defense work.
How many episodes does For the People have in total?
For the People ran for two seasons with 10 episodes each, totalling 20 episodes. Season 1 aired in 2018 and Season 2 followed in 2019, before ABC cancelled the series. Each episode runs approximately 43 minutes, making the full series a manageable and satisfying watch.
What shows are similar to For the People?
Fans of For the People often enjoy All Rise, The Lincoln Lawyer, Goliath, and Reasonable Doubt for their courtroom intensity and character depth. The Practice is a classic legal drama worth exploring, while Harry's Law and Fairly Legal offer lighter but equally engaging takes on the legal world.
More About For the People
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