Netflix’s Returning 4-Season Thriller Should Be at the Top of Your February Watchlist

Leaving viewers on a nail-biting cliffhanger at the end of Season 3 back in 2024, fans of the legal drama, The Lincoln Lawyer, can rejoice as the show makes its long-awaited return to Netflix on February 5. The sleek and stylish series, based on the books of Michael Connelly, stands among Netflix’s most acclaimed original shows.

Wrought with tension and oozing an old-school noir atmosphere, it blends courtroom theatrics with street-level grit, anchored by a charismatic lead performance from Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a defense attorney in Los Angeles who has made a habit out of working from the back seat of a chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator. With its fourth season finally arriving, now is the perfect time for newcomers to get in the know and binge one of Netflix’s most addictive shows, and existing fans to put aside some time to find out what the fourth Season has in store for the lateral-thinking lawyer.

‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Season 3’s Finale Left Fans Hungry for More

Image via Netflix

Thanks to the show’s meticulous attention to character building, viewers will, by now, almost certainly feel emotionally invested in Mickey and his unorthodox approach to law. Season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer challenged the cool-headed lawyer in ways never seen before, blurring the lines between his personal conviction and professional obligations. What started as a typical case escalated into something far more dangerous, forcing the pragmatic protagonist to question the decisions that had led him to this point and confront the consequences of the choices he’s made throughout his career. The sense of control and comfort he so typically manages to maintain a grasp of began to slip away as allies became uncertain and trust became an illusion.

The final episode’s gut punch of an ending throws Mickey’s carefully balanced world into disarray as he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. Offering nothing but lingering questions and uncertainty, Season 4 will act as a direct continuation. With the stakes higher than ever as Mickey fights for his freedom, it feels more like a long-awaited reckoning than your typical run-of-the-mill series renewal. According to Netflix, here’s what audiences can expect:

“Signature twists, along with the unique blend of suspense, humor and heart our fans love, as every character must confront not only Mickey’s predicament but their own personal challenges along the way.”

‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Feels Unique

Mickey wearing sunglasses in The Lincoln Lawyer.

Legal dramas and crime thrillers are a dime a dozen in today’s crowded media landscape, but The Lincoln Lawyer feels unique in its approach to the genre. The first onscreen adaptation of Michael Connelly’s literary work was 2011’s feature film, The Lincoln Lawyer, starring Matthew McConaughey in the lead role. Sharp and stylish, it was critically acclaimed and a moderate commercial hit, praised for its clever plotting and noir-tinged tone. Wisely, the show harnessed what made the movie so entertaining – its propulsive pace, sleek visuals, and, most importantly, a charismatic lead performance that captures Mickey’s combination of charm, wit, and moral complexity.

Adapting the work into a long-form television series not only allows for more legal cases, but it also allows Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s iteration of Mickey to be further developed, creating one of television’s most compelling characters in the process. He is generally cool, calm, and charismatic. While he has his principles, his morality can stray into grey areas, making him more complex and layered than the average TV lawyer.

There’s a sense of hard-edged realism that you won’t find in other legal dramas like Suits, which tend to lean more into slick office politics. In Lincoln Lawyer, you’re just as likely to catch Mickey in a seedy diner or a back alley as in a sleek office setting. It’s also unique in its pacing. Opting for a fast, propulsive pace over the slow-burn feel of shows like Better Call Saul, it always feels urgent, but never rushed. Tensions are kept high, and viewers are kept on the edge of their seats.

With the stakes higher than ever before, Season 4 promises to be one of the most exciting additions to February’s television listings with its combination of a fast-moving plot, character-driven drama, and LA grit. More than just another ‘courtroom show’, The Lincoln Lawyer should be a must-watch for any discerning fan of, not just the genre, but of television in general.