Reasonable Doubts (1991)
An NBC legal drama pairing a deaf prosecutor with a hard-nosed detective in a clash of conscience and conviction.
Reasonable Doubts - Series Information
- Original Title: Reasonable Doubts
- First Air Year: 1991
- Last Air Year: 1993
- Created by: Robert Singer
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (42 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 44
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Lorimar Television, December 3rd Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Reasonable Doubts - Plot
A police drama about the working relationship between Assistant DA Tess Kaufman, a prosecutor sensitive to the rights of the accused, and hard-charging, gruff Detective Dicky Cobb, an old-fashioned cop with a "bust-the-perps" attitude. Reasonable Doubts was broadcast in the United States by NBC and ran from 1991 to 1993.
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Reasonable Doubts - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Robert Singer
Main Cast
- Bill Pugin
- Marlee Matlin
- Mark Harmon
- William Converse-Roberts
- Tim Grimm
- Kay Lenz
- Nancy Everhard
- Jim Beaver
- John F. O'Donohue
- Judy Kain
Writers
- Steven Phillip Smith
- Kathy McCormick
- John Schulian
- Robert Singer
- Barry Pullman
Reasonable Doubts - FAQs
What makes Reasonable Doubts stand out from other legal dramas?
Reasonable Doubts was groundbreaking for featuring Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress, as lead prosecutor ADA Tess Kaufman — one of the first primetime dramas to place a deaf character at the center of the action. The show wove American Sign Language naturally into courtroom and detective storylines, giving the series a distinctive identity beyond its procedural format.
Who are the main actors in Reasonable Doubts?
The series stars Marlee Matlin as ADA Tess Kaufman and Mark Harmon as the gruff Detective Dicky Cobb. Supporting cast includes William Converse-Roberts, Tim Grimm, Kay Lenz, Nancy Everhard, Jim Beaver, Bill Pugin, John F. O'Donohue, and Judy Kain.
What is Reasonable Doubts about?
The series follows the friction-filled partnership between Assistant DA Tess Kaufman, a prosecutor who champions defendants' rights, and Detective Dicky Cobb, a no-nonsense cop focused on putting criminals away. Their clashing philosophies drive both the legal cases and the personal drama at the heart of the show.
Where can you watch Reasonable Doubts online?
Streaming availability for Reasonable Doubts varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your area, including any rental, purchase, or streaming platforms currently carrying the series.
Did Marlee Matlin win awards for Reasonable Doubts?
Marlee Matlin received recognition for her role as ADA Tess Kaufman, earning Emmy Award nominations during the show's run. Her performance was widely praised for bringing authentic deaf representation to primetime television, building on the momentum of her Oscar-winning film career.
How many seasons and episodes does Reasonable Doubts have?
Reasonable Doubts ran for two seasons on NBC, totaling 44 episodes. Season 1 comprised 21 episodes and Season 2 expanded to 23 episodes before the series concluded in 1993.
Why was Reasonable Doubts significant for deaf representation on TV?
The show cast Marlee Matlin — the only deaf performer to win an Academy Award for acting — as its female lead, and incorporated American Sign Language as a natural part of the storytelling. This was rare for primetime drama in the early 1990s and helped raise awareness of deaf culture to mainstream audiences.
What shows are similar to Reasonable Doubts?
Fans of Reasonable Doubts may enjoy NYPD Blue, In the Heat of the Night, and Remington Steele for their blend of procedural drama and character-driven tension. Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye also features a deaf protagonist in a law enforcement setting, making it a particularly close thematic match.
More About Reasonable Doubts
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