Jewel Staite, Zach Smadu and Genelle Williams in Family Law
Abigail Bianchi was fired for arriving to court drunk and puking on her client, leading her to work alongside her estranged father and half-siblings at his law firm as part of her probationary period. While trying to remain sober she must navigate familial dysfunction while keeping the momentum forward with work on his law firm.
Jewel Staite
Jewel Staite, best known as Kaylee Frye in the Fox TV series Firefly and its spin-off theatrical film Serenity. Additionally she appeared as part of Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate Atlantis as well as other shows and movies. Jewel graduated from Vancouver Film School when she was nine years old and has been acting since that time.
Family Law premiered in 2022. It centers on Abigail Bianchi, a disgraced attorney who must work with her father and half-siblings as part of her probation agreement in order to manage their dysfunction while at the same time coping with her drinking problem and staying sober.
Abigail struggles to adjust to her new job at Harry Svensson (Victor Garber), the top family law firm run by her father. On probation and warned not to make waves or litigate cases, her first day at work proves disastrous as she arrives drunk and throws up in court while students were filming it all.
Abby and Harry appear to have a solid case against an influential individual for almost half a million dollars in retroactive child support payments to his daughter that was sired anonymously, however after experiencing some pang of conscience she offers him assistance in reaching an alternative, much smaller settlement that allows their daughter to develop some form of relationship with her biological father.
The CW has acquired Family Law, a Canadian production from Entertainment One. Starring Jewel Staite as family lawyer Abigail Bianchi and Victor Garber as Harry Svensson with Zach Smadu playing Daniel Svensson and Genelle Williams portraying Lucy Svensson, this series premiered last December.
Victor Garber
Family Law, a Canadian legal drama, premiered on The CW earlier this week. Starring Jewel Staite of Firefly and L.A. Complex fame as Abigail Bianchi – who finds herself forced into joining her dad Harry Svensson’s law firm when her own firm kicks her out – Victor Garber (Legends of Tomorrow Dark Waters etc) plays her father Harry Svensson; other cast members include Zach Smadu as Daniel Svensson; Genelle Williams of Warehouse 13 fame as Lucy Svensson; Lauren Holly of NCIS Tiny Pretty Things fame as Joanne Kowalski; other cast members include Zach Smadu as Daniel Svensson; Lauren Holly (NCIS Tiny Pretty Things etc).
Susin Nielsen, best known for her writing on Canadian teen drama Degrassi and small screen shows such as Smallville and CSI, created this comedy drama series that explores some serious issues – for example one episode depicted an intriguing legal case involving social responsibility of bartenders.
Family Law features several guest stars besides its core cast. Christopher McDonald stars as ambulance chaser Rex Weller; Julie Warner as Lynn’s best friend Danni; and Dixie Carter plays “pit bull” divorce attorney Randi King.
The show is similar to other legal dramas like Boston Legal and Law & Order; however, it doesn’t shy away from taking risks or going over-the-top. For example, during one episode Abby suggests using false allegations of victimizing assault to help her client win custody battle; Harry was appalled at this idea, reminding Abby that family law rules prioritize children’s best interests as opposed to her suggestion; Abigail wasn’t pleased by these comments from her father.
Zach Smadu
Zach Smadu has established himself on the acting scene with notable credits like three seasons on CTV’s award-winning series Cardinal and recurring roles on CBC’s Kim’s Convenience. Now, this fall he joins Family Law as one of its new lawyers – Daniel. Pop Culturalist caught up with Zach to learn more about Family Law as a show, his acting career in general, and more!
Zach: Family Law is an entertaining legal drama with some engaging and amusing policy issues, not to mention some interesting cases that you wouldn’t normally see on TV – such as when one episode shows an ex-wife seducing many men in her former husband’s home! While watching can be entertaining and even funny at times, you must think about all of its social implications as you watch!
Abby Bianchi, a high-priced personal injury attorney adept at deflecting blame on others for her problems. After an incident in court leads her to be suspended and fined, and the only firm willing to accept her as a client was Harry Svensson’s family law practice run by Victor Garber (her estranged father who also happens to have two half siblings named Daniel and Lucy whom she hadn’t heard about until her first day at work).
I found the cast and writing to be superb; there is plenty to look forward to in this season of The Good Fight, particularly the development and growth of its characters and relationships over time. Victor Garber and Lauren Holly bring extensive experience as Harry and Lucy respectively; it will be fascinating to observe how these complicated relationships evolve over time.
Genelle Williams
Genelle Williams is a Canadian actress best known for her roles as Kim Carlisle on Radio Free Roscoe, DJ on The Latest Buzz and Leena on Warehouse 13. Additionally she has appeared in numerous other television series such as It’s a Boy Girl Thing, Flashpoint, Holiday Calendar Orphan & Degrassi: The Next Generation and is represented by Noble Caplan Abrams Talent Agency of Toronto Canada.
Williams began acting during her high school days after being recognized by one of her teachers and advised to pursue it full-time. Starting off in small credited roles before being cast as Kim Carlisle on Radio Free Roscoe; since then she has appeared in multiple movies and television series.
Genelle has not only appeared on Family Law but has also starred in TV movies Prescription for Danger and appeared as Tilly Fagan on four episodes of American science fiction television series The Expanse. Additionally she has had recurring roles in Radio Free Roscoe, The Latest Buzz and The Line.
Genelle was born in Toronto, Canada of black ethnicity. She stands 5’5″ and weighs 54kg. Genelle has not disclosed any information regarding her parents or siblings to the media and also has not divulged details regarding past relationships or marriage status.
Genelle currently resides in Toronto, Canada and is active with various charity organizations as an activist. She supports women’s rights and gender equality. Furthermore, Genelle is vegetarian. Additionally, singing and guitar playing are her hobbies.
Lauren Holly
Holly is an accomplished TV veteran, having appeared in multiple series in both small and medium roles. She first gained attention playing Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart for four seasons on Picket Fences as well as Mary Swanson in Dumb and Dumber (1994). Additionally, Holly played a lawyer role alongside Kelsey Grammer in Down Periscope (1996) before she appeared as Joanna in Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated feature Spirited Away (2011).
Holly was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania and raised in Geneva, New York with parents who are both professors of art history – her mother at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, while her father an author/screenwriter/lit professor. Holly graduated from Geneva High School before going on to earn an undergraduate degree at Sarah Lawrence College.
Susin Nielsen took inspiration from David E. Kelley-style law shows, with its blend of outrageous cases with humorous yet serious character interactions, making for an entertaining show which became a smash hit in Canada before moving over to CW for its second season – becoming fan favorites and garnering critical acclaim from many critics alike.
Abby Bianchi (Lauren Holly), an ambitious family law practitioner, finds herself struggling with alcoholism and family dysfunction. When her husband throws her out for his drinking problems, Abby returns home to live with Joanna (Joan Collins) before landing an office job with the top family law firm in town; unfortunately for Abby this means working under Harry Svensson (Harrison Svensson), an influential senior partner she’s long had an animus toward.
The show is enjoyable and its cast is fantastic. Garber and Smadu bring their extensive experience into their roles, creating great chemistry between themselves. Williams and Jackson also perform admirably; it will be fascinating to observe their relationships develop with Abby during this season.