The Rainmaker Returns: A Grisham Classic Finds New Life on TV

By DaMarko Webster

USA Network is reaching back into the Grisham canon to reimagine The Rainmaker—a courtroom classic with fresh heat and a modern TV edge. The legal thriller, first penned by John Grisham as one of his fastest-selling novels and adapted into the 1997 film starring Matt Damon, now returns as a serialized drama. And yes, it comes with all the grit, ambition, and dangerously tangled romance you’d expect.

The new Rainmaker introduces us to Rudy Baylor, played by breakout star Milo Callaghan—who showrunner Michael Seitzman confidently calls “your next crush.” Callaghan’s Rudy is a fresh law school grad barely keeping his head above water as he takes on a high-stakes lawsuit and an even higher-stakes opponent: courtroom titan Leo Drummond, played by the always-formidable John Slattery. But it’s not just about outmaneuvering an old-school Goliath in court. Rudy’s also facing off with his own girlfriend Sarah (Madison Iseman), who happens to work for Drummond’s elite firm. Legal fireworks, meet romantic meltdown.

His own firm is a scrappy underdog by comparison, led by Bruiser—a role gender-flipped from the original and now played with fierce authority by Lana Parrilla. Alongside her and the endearingly chaotic paralegal Deck (P.J. Byrne), Rudy uncovers twin conspiracies linked to the suspicious death of a client’s son. Expect twists, moral gray zones, and slow-burn revelations.

The cast also includes Dan Fogler, Wade Briggs, and Robyn Cara. And while Coppola’s ’97 film remains a high bar, this new version isn’t looking to recreate the past—it’s recharging it. Produced by Lionsgate Television and Blumhouse Television, the show is driven by a powerhouse team of executive producers: Michael Seitzman, John Grisham himself, Patrick Moran, Jason Richman, David Gernert, and Jason Blum.

The Rainmaker marks USA Network’s re-entry into original scripted TV, a bold move as NBCUniversal transitions most of its cable properties into a newly formed company, Versant. The series debuts on August 15 at 10 p.m. on USA, with episodes landing on Peacock a week later. One look at the trailer, and it’s clear: this courtroom is open for drama.