When news broke that Jerry O’Connell had replaced Heroes‘ Sendhil Ramamurthy opposite Doctor Who‘s David Tennant in the NBC pilot Rex Is Not Your Lawyer on the eve of production (Ramamurthy is said to have had a scheduling conflict), I was concerned. Like everyone who loves the fact that O’Connell is currently enrolled at L.A.’s Southwestern Law School, I was worried it meant that he was dropping out. Rest easy. A rep for O’Connell (pictured left) tells EW that he intends to juggle both the show, set at a law firm, and law school, if the pilot gets picked up. Explaining why he took the part, O’Connell sent the following statement: “Why not? I’ve already done all this great research for the role, and hopefully I’ll have the grades to prove it. Ask me in two weeks when I get my finals back.”
Ballsy move, my friend. Do you think O’Connell will actually need to juggle? According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show revolves around Rex Alexander (Tennant, pictured right), “a top Chicago litigator who begins suffering panic attacks and takes up coaching clients to represent themselves in court.” Sounds a little Boston Legal-y. Interested. Continue. “O’Connell will play an ambitious but good-natured lawyer who was in Rex’s shadow until Rex’s career switch and whose friendship with Rex becomes complicated when he falls in love with his pal’s fiancée (Abigail Spencer).” As someone who got a little too excited to see O’Connell as the office friend in Obsessed, I have to admit that I’m all about having a side order of Jerry O. And I feel like he’d actually be believable as a guy who is good-humored, but bad enough to fall for his friend’s girl. The show also costars Jane Curtin and Jeffrey Tambor. I say prepare to juggle. You?
Photo credit: O’Connell: Dennis Van Tine/Retna Ltd; Tennant: Steve Ross/Capital Pictures/Retna Ltd
I was looking forward to finding out whether I hated Sendhil Ramamurthy or just Mohinder, but gotta say the casting is probably an improvement (and Tambor is in it? Yes, please!) and I’ll probably at least tune in for the pilot.
i’d watch David Tennant read the phone book.
but does this mean he’s losing his accent for this role?
if so, shame on you american TV. He’s already had to hide his Scots burr as the Tenth Doctor…
I’m with you. It’s a crime against humanity for him not to have any accent at all.
well, it is set in Chicago. If they give him a midwestern accent… and he can pull it off… I may have to find him and marry him (though, judging from the UK tabloids, since i’m not hot and younger than him and blonde, I’m probably not his type).
still, i’d tune in!
You said it! American audiences for the most part have no idea the treat that’s in store for them when David Tennant graces our little boxes. I don’t care his costar is as exciting as a box of hair, sign me up.
oh ho! Many of us Americans in Audience know quite well who Tennant is… and his predecessors one and all! Sign me up. I, too, would be happy to just watch him enliven a phone book reading.
Amen. I’ll watch David Tennant acting in anything, but I’d much much prefer to have him speak with a Scottish or English accent. The world should not be denied his sexy British accents!
i hope they let David have his accent. He is sosexy with that! <3 <3 <3
So sorry to lose David Tennant as Dr. Who and so happy to gain him on America TV. Keep his accent, keep him exactly the way he is…he is terrific. Can’t wait!
You had me at David Tennant and sealed the deal with Jeffrey tambor. JO is likeable enough in any role he plays.
It sounds like they have the building blocks for a great new show. I’m excited to see David Tennant on US TV and I hope to see it on NBC’s fall schedule. Thank you EW for reporting on it and please keep us up to date on the latest with Rex as things progress.
The only reason I’ll be watching is David Tennant. <3 <3 <3 I was hoping Jerry O'Connell's law school gig would mean I'd never have to see his goofy face again.
As someone who DID go to law school, I have no idea how the dude thinks he'll be able to juggle both if TV shows have the long hours I've heard, even if he goes part-time.
David Tennant and Jane Curtin? I’m in!
I went to law school and night and worked full time. It can be done. It sounds like his part is a supporting role anyway.
Please be good, please be good, please be good! I can’t wait!
I am so there! I love every cast member you have mentioned, and DT most of all!
For me to watch all you have to say is David Tennant. I’m praying it’s good so it’ll get picked up.
I can’t WAIT to see David Tennant in this! He’s a wonderful actor.
I wonder if David Tennant’s new character has two hearts…I’ll miss you as Dr. Who but can’t wait for the new show (as I live in Chicago this is a bonus!).
Nope i was until they casted Series Killer Jerry O’Connell…Seriously there is SO many better people and Jerry has already proven that NO ONE wants to watch him on TV
dude, ur grammar leaves a lot to be desired.
lol Says the person who doesn’t begin a sentence with a capital letter and leaves out two letters in a four-letter word. Really, if you’re going to point out someone’s grammatical mistakes, make sure you don’t have any.
As for this television series – it has David Tennant, so I will be giving it a go regardless of any other factor.
I disagree! Jerry is not a series killer. He had a LONG gig on Crossing Jordan, which is where I first fell for him as an actor. If this pilot is picked up, I will watch.
If it’s got David Tennant in it, I’m there. I’ve always liked O’Connell – he seems like a genuinely nice guy (as does Tennant).
I love that Jane Curtin has had such a great career after SNL. She rocks!