The Rainmaker is the TV adaption of John Grisham‘s novel, which was last seen in big-screen form back in 1997.
It gives us a dramatic opening, care of Melvin Pritcher (Dan Fogler – A Complete Unknown), who wakes up to find his house on fire. He somehow gets out, even though the advanced state of the smoke should’ve knocked him out, anyway, but his Mum was not so lucky.
Cue the introduction for young lawyer, Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan – The Strangers Chapter 2) – the actor looking a bit like a younger Matt Damon at the time of the film, working pro-bono for clients, including an elderly Mrs Birdie, to write a will… although she’s a bit puddled, and actually has no assets.
Also seen working in a bar, he’s due to start at the Tinley Britt lawyer firm the next day, with blonde girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman – I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021)), but it doesn’t look good when in the morning, he has a fight with his mum’s crap boyfriend, Hank, and has to start work with blood on his suit.
Even worse, he has a lot to say back to the boss, Leo F. Drummond (John Slattery – Nuremberg), on day one, geting himself fired, ending up working with the rough-and-ready Bruiser Stone… played by Mickey Rourke in the movie, but here, a MILF called Joceyln Stone (Lana Parrilla – The Tax Collector), alongside Deck Shiffler (PJ Byrne – The End Of Oak Street). They’re not exactly top-flight lawyers, but then it’s all about the underdogs…
This version of The Rainmaker is decent – with good acting from the principal leads, but it’s very wordy, so doesn’t feel like an ITV-type of show, and I’d expect it to disappear past the 10pm news after a couple of weeks. It’s already been renewed for Season 2, though.
However, it does fall into cliché territory at times, such as when Rudy takes the case of Dot Black (Karen Bryson – Zack Snyder’s Justice League), the mother of a man who died at the fault of insurance company, Great Benefit. Who turns out to be representing the other side’s interests? Sarah, duh.
Oh, and for some reason, Drummond also turns up ot the court hearing, even though that guy RUNS Tinley Britt, so wouldn’t be anywhere near the court, itself. Still, it’s a TV drama…
The Rainmaker begins tonight at 9pm. It’s available to watch in full on ITVX.
It’s not yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but when it is, it will be listed on the New DVD, Blu-ray, 3D and 4K releases UK page.
Cert: 
Running time: 45 minutes per episode (10 episodes)
Release date: August 28th 2026
Format: 1.78:1
Series Directors: Russell Lee Fine, Randy Zisk, Michael Seitzman
Novel: John Grisham
Screenplay: Jason Richman, Michael Seitzman, Caroline Quien, Julia Cohen, Barbara Curry, Wendy Mericle, Johnny Richardson
Music: Clinton Shorter
Cast:
Rudy Baylor: Milo Callaghan
Jocelyn ‘Bruiser’ Stone: Lana Parrilla
Sarah Plankmore: Madison Iseman
Deck Shifflet: PJ Byrne
Brad Noonan: Wade Briggs
Leo F. Drummond: John Slattery
Megan Grenier: Libby Kay
Melvin Pritcher: Dan Fogler
Mike Whitmer: Aidan Bristow
Victor: Asher De Land
Kelly Riker: Robyn Cara
Dot Black: Karen Bryson
Wilfred R. Keeley: Hugh Quarshie
Liam Donnelly: Kevin Ryan
Prince Thomas: Tommie Earl Jenkins
Cliff E. Riker: Fionn Ó Loingsigh
Jane Allen: Laura Campbell
Voreen: Megan McDonnell
Jackie Lemancyzk: Gemma-Leah Devereux
Rod Nunley: Jonathan Forbes
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.