Perry Mason Limited Series Starring Matthew Rhys Formally Greenlit at HBO
HBO is officially reviving Perry Mason. The pay cabler has formally ordered a limited series based on legendary fictional criminal defense lawyer, with The Americans’ Matthew Rhys taking on the title role. Sopranos vet Tim Van Patten, meanwhile, has signed on as director and EP.
As we reported back in January, Rhys — who will also serve as a producer on the aptly-titled Perry Mason — will play Mason at a time in his life when he is living check-to-check as a low-rent private investigator. He also finds himself haunted by his wartime experiences in France and is suffering the effects of a broken marriage.
Here’s the project’s logline:
1932, Los Angeles. While the rest of the country recovers from the Great Depression, this city is booming! Oil! Olympic Games! Talking Pictures! Evangelical Fervor! And a child kidnapping gone very, very wrong! Based on characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner, this limited series follows the origins of American Fiction’s most legendary criminal defense lawyer, Perry Mason. When the case of the decade breaks down his door, Mason’s relentless pursuit of the truth reveals a fractured city and just maybe, a pathway to redemption for himself.
The Emmy winner follows in the footsteps of the late Raymond Burr, who starred as Mason for nine seasons on CBS’ Perry Mason series (1957–1966) and 26 subsequent TV movies (1985–1993).
Rolin Jones (The Exorcist) and Ron Fitzgerald (Westworld) will pen the adaptation and serve as co-showrunners and EPs. Additional EPs include Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, Amanda Burrell and Joe Horacek.
I don’t have high hopes for this. Raymond Burr knocked it out of the park. Part of the appeal was his unwavering morals and knack for solving crimes without resorting to violence etc. That would never make it in 2019, so they’re going to drastically alter the premise.
You DO realize that this isn’t Mason as an attorney, right? It’s going to be almost unrdcognizable.
A Welsh Perry Mason? Hmmm… not exactly feeling it.
Matthew Rhys does a very impressive American accent.
It’s a tough role, but after seeing the stellar work that Rhys pulled off in the Americans, I believe he’s up for the challenge. If they do this as a gritty noire, with the high morals that Mason was known for and no shenanigans, I think HBO might have another hit on their hands. The time period is excellent, no mobiles to annoy viewers or computer hijinks, just great stories and a great setting to work off of.
Agreed
Why is it just going to be on HBO not everyone gets this channell as a Perry Mason fan most f my 75 yrs i would like to see it on cable thank you
It has to go where the money is. HBO is paying for it.
I don’t know much about Perry Mason, but I do adore Matthew Rhys so I’m on board.
Rhys had a terrible “American Accent” in The Americans. It always seemed like he had speech impediment and was very distracting when watching the show. Rhys attempting Perry Mason? No thanks. Hire a real American and I’m on board.
I didn’t watch a lot of “The Americans” but on “Brothers and Sisters” I didn’t have a clue about his native accent until I saw a behind-the-scenes clip.
Morty.
You know Raymond Burr was Canadian not American.
He’s a wonderful actor.
As much of a “Perry Mason” fan as I was back in the day, it’s not enough for me to subscribe to HBO. I hope the limited series is successful, but I somehow don’t think that the original “Perry Mason” with his morals, etc., will actually resonate with today’s audience. And, of course, it’s hard to visualize anyone other than Raymond Burr ….. just sayin’
Sounds like they are going back to the Perry Mason of the early books and the 1930’s feature films. The films had a noirish feel to them, and are very enjoyable.
I loved Matthew on B&S. I started watching The American only because he was on it and it ended up being one of my favorite shows. I will definitely be checking it out.
That sounds kind of horrible.
Ugghh. Raymond Burr was Perry Mason.
Stay true to the original book in that there was no cussing. It can be gritty without cussing.
Who is going to play Della, his secretary?
Rye is a brilliantly choice. Fine actor in any setting. Hiswork in “The Americans” was maybe the best I’ve ever seen on television, anywhere. I wrote a novel, which if I could sell it to the movies could only have him in the lead.