How a high-stakes legal drama became the first scripted series for Onyx Collective
In short: Created by former Scandal writer Raamla Mohamed and inspired by the real-life career of celebrity attorney Shawn Holley, Reasonable Doubt offers a sharp, steamy look at the life of a Los Angeles defense lawyer. It balances high-profile criminal cases with the messy, relatable realities of modern marriage and motherhood.
Reasonable Doubt premiered on Hulu on September 27, 2022, marking a significant milestone as the first scripted television series produced by Walt Disney Television's Onyx Collective. The show centers on Jacqueline "Jax" Stewart, a successful criminal defense attorney navigating the pressures of an upscale Los Angeles law firm while managing a separation from her husband, Lewis, and raising two children. The narrative is loosely based on the professional experiences of celebrity lawyer Shawn Holley, who serves as a producer for the series.
The show has garnered generally positive critical reception. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating for the first season based on nine reviews, while Metacritic assigned a weighted average score of 76 out of 100. Critics have highlighted Emayatzy Corinealdi’s performance as Jax, noting her ability to embody a morally ambiguous power player. Reviewers have compared the series to the work of Shonda Rhimes, praising its blend of juicy, fast-paced soap elements with frank explorations of marriage, parenting, and female friendship.
The series has demonstrated consistent growth and audience engagement. Following its 2022 debut, it was renewed for subsequent seasons, with the fourth season scheduled to premiere on October 6, 2026. Performance metrics have been strong; for instance, during the week of August 23–29, 2024, Luminate calculated that the show reached 190.7 million minutes of watch time. Beyond its streaming success, the production has earned industry recognition, including a 2024 Black Reel Award for Television for Kerry Washington, who directed the pilot episode.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Reasonable Doubt (TV series)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-reasonable-doubt-tv-series.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in US culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
