Summary
The news of one major change toNight Courtseason 3’s cast just made me even more excited about the sitcom revival’s return. I was glad to seeNight Courtreturn in 2023 even though the sitcom’s revival couldn’t quite recapture the tone of the original show. AsNight Courtseason 3’s releaseapproaches, I’m increasingly confident that the sitcom will be able to strike the right balance between nostalgic callbacks to the classic ‘90s series and fresh new storylines.Night Courtseason 2’s cliffhanger endingcertainly left me curious about the show’s future.
While the original show focused on Harry Stone, the magistrate of Manhattan Criminal Court’s night shift, the revival centers on his daughter, Judge Abby Stone. Melissa Rauch’s heroine takes on her father’s old job and works alongside her clerk Neil, her bailiff Gurgs, and Dan Fielding, the assistant DA who also starred in the original series. Although John Larroquette’s charismatic antihero has settled down since the ‘90s, his history has followed him into the revival. He is now a public defender and, inNight Court’s first two seasons, India de Beaufort’s Olivia was the assistant DA assigned to Abby’s court.
What Night Court’s New Major Actor Exit Means For Season 3
The news of a major actor’s exit from NBC’s reboot of Night Court could create both positive and negative changes in season 3’s structure and story.
Wendie Malick’s Return To Night Court Is Exactly What I Hoped For
The Sitcom Legend Was Perfect In Her Season 2 Guest Appearance
However, de Beaufort leftNight Courtafter the end of season 2, meaning there is a vacancy in the show’s titular setting.TVLinerecently announced that sitcom legend Wendie Malick will fill this role, returning to her recurring supporting role as Julianne Walters. Walters is a sharp-witted DA who was once a career criminal. She has been desperate to get revenge on Larroquette’s Dan ever since he put her behind bars decades ago. Walters has appeared onNight Courttwice before and both of her guest spots gained positive buzz from critics and viewers. This makes her casting perfect.
WhileNight Courtseason 2’sBig Bang Theoryreunionwas fun, Walters was the character I needed to see more from when season 2 wrapped up.I can’t wait to see how Dan handles regular showdowns with Walters, who considers herself his nemesis and is determined to ruin his life one way or another. Furthermore, Malick’s incredibly impressive career makes her an exciting addition to the cast. I loved her work inJust Shoot Me,Young Sheldon, andHot in Cleveland, but she also surprised me with her dramatic range in some ofBojack Horseman’s best episodes.
What Wendie Malick’s Return Means For Night Court Season 3
Malick’s Ruthless Prosecutor Won’t Give Dan An Inch
Viewers can be certain that Malick’s Walters will do all she can to take down Dan in season 3, and this could drive a wedge between Abby and her mentor. Meanwhile, the acerbic Walters replacing the sunnier Olivia means that the eponymous court is likely to become a more hostile working environment with plenty of conflict and intrigue to go around. One of the primary problems withNight Courtseasons 1 and 2 was that the show’s tone was too schmaltzy, and its stakes were almost non-existent. Wendie Malick’s promotion to a series regular should solve thisNight Courtshortcoming.
