Since 2021, the U.S. network has stacked a lineup with reality shows and sports, which has abandoned original script programming altogether. Fans of “suits”, “white-collar workers” and “monks” only leave memories of the cyclical stories of these shows. But on Friday, the network returned to scripted TV with the legal thriller “Raining”.
If the title sounds familiar, it's because it's based on a 1995 novel by John Grisham, which was first adapted into a 1997 film starring Matt Damon. Francis Ford Coppola. British actor Milo Callaghan plays Rudy Baylor in this “Rain Rain”. This is Callaghan's first protagonist, who previously played repetitive roles in shows like HBO's “Dune: Prophecy” and Starz's “Spanish Princess.”
Baylor, just graduated from law school, is about to start working in the state's largest law firm, run by Leo F. Drummond (John Slattery). On his first day, Baylor was fired after challenging Drummond at a meeting. He desperately wants to work, working for a small ambulance company at an ambulance company that started working from a former taco joint. His boss is Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone (Lana Parrilla, in a gender exchange in a movie where Mickey Rourke's character played). She is smart, confident, and not afraid to use her sexual attraction to get what she wants. Rudy's first big case put him in a blow with the large, upscale law firm that let him go with his girlfriend and his girlfriend who is still working there.
Callaghan gave the Associated Press information about learning the legal community while doing Memphis accents and being familiar with the original material. Edit the answer for clarity and simplicity.
Associated Press: Have you seen the movie “Rainforest Manufacturer”?
Callaghan: When I was being performed, I looked at it. Matt Damon is someone every young actor looks up to. I want to know what he does. I mean, it's a Coppola movie, too, so I'm glad to see it. Then I might think of 20 minutes of thought and focus on scripting because it's different and I think we have 10 hours of TV to explore the character. We are on a road that is better than movies.
AP: You have read novels, did this help find your version of Rudy?
Callahan: Yes. It's a slow-paced thriller, indeed, but great. And there are about 100 pages, and he is just preparing for this situation for months and months. So I never want to make it feel like a genius with underhandedness. It feels like this is a situation that must be honored to a certain extent. Like, you can be a great lawyer, but you won't get there without grinding and grafting. We had great scenes working late at night.
Associated Press: Are you still late to learn your own boundaries to play a lawyer?
Callaghan: You prepare a court scene, which is eight pages, which is a testimony. And you know, you've worked hard, you're ready to go to bed, it's quarter to midnight, you have an email saying, “We've rewrite the scene, we filmed it at 8 a.m.,” you thought, “not only do I have to re-learn all of this, but I have to make sure it's in the air through words.” It's definitely an extra component, I'm probably losing a little sleep.
AP: You are also British, Rudy Baylor is from Tennessee. How do you lose your accent and master the southern accent?
Callaghan: Work with a great conversation coach. I remember getting there on the first day and running with PJ Byrne who played the deck, and he was a little fun. He was like, “Why do you talk like that?” I was like, “What do you mean? Because we started shooting in three days.” I pronounced it on the phone because that’s the way I learned it. I had to really try to turn it back to a natural place. For a movie, you might get rid of it, but TV for 10 hours, it has to be light, it has to be fast, it has to be within reach.
AP: Is there a word that will trouble you?
Callahan: “North City Hospital.” This is the most difficult thing. I was like, “Why are you calling this?” I put down all the legal persons, and then “Beicheng Hospital” would shoot me every time.
Associated Press: There are also differences between UK and US laws. Do you study American law?
Callaghan: I went through a big trial, like the whole OJ Simpson Murder Trial and Gwyneth Paltrow Trial. And obscure experiments. I studied the lawyers and their way of speaking and how they speak to the court. We really don’t have the same pop star elements as the legal system of “that person” and “that person”. Research is fascinating.