Mike Colter is heading back to television as the lead of a new CBS legal drama, and fans of Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer might want to mark their calendars. The series, titled Cupertino, premieres on Thursday, October 8, with Colter taking on the role of a scrappy lawyer who takes on a tech giant in a high-stakes case. The show also stars Busy Phillips and Ella Stiller.
Colter is best known for his role as Luke Cage, which he played across multiple seasons of Marvel’s Netflix shows. He returns to the character in the third season of Daredevil: Born Again. However, the show’s future beyond that is uncertain. It has been confirmed that Daredevil: Born Again will end with Season 3.
The Road to Cupertino
Colter’s recent resume includes a string of notable projects. He starred in the thriller Plane, which grossed $75 million at the global box office, teaming up with action icon Gerard Butler almost three years ago. A sequel to Plane was set to start filming this year, but the project was put on hold when Butler changed his mind and pulled out.
In the last few years, Colter has also appeared in TV shows like Evil and M.I.A. His next major series, Cupertino, arrives with a clear promise: it is positioned as the perfect replacement for Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer. The show streams the day after it airs on CBS, making it available on Paramount Plus alongside all other CBS shows.
A Scrappy Lawyer Takes on Big Tech
Cupertino follows a scrappy lawyer who takes on a tech giant in a high-stakes case. The show’s premise pits Colter’s character against a corporate behemoth.
The casting of Busy Phillips and Ella Stiller adds depth to the ensemble.
The Netflix Comparison
Netflix currently holds the crown for legal thrillers with The Lincoln Lawyer. The show has become a staple of the streaming platform. Cupertino aims to fill that gap when it premieres next week.
The comparison is a bold one. Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer has established a standard that few other series have matched. Cupertino is stepping into that space with a fresh premise and a star actor leading the charge.
Colter’s Career So Far
Colter’s path to Cupertino has been circuitous. He started his entertainment career in 2022 as a Staff Writer for Agents of Fandom, where he worked his way up to Senior Editor. Along the way, he interviewed talent from Marvel Studios, House of the Dragon, and Planet of the Apes.
In April 2024, he joined Collider as a News Author. By December 2024, he had been promoted to Senior position. Over his tenure, he has written over 3,000 articles for the site, covering exclusives related to Avengers: Doomsday, The Penguin, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and more.
His primary focus has been on the latest box office numbers and the hottest movies and TV shows on streaming. He has also covered superhero and sci-fi news, completed a set visit for The Chosen, and gained several months of experience writing Gaming Features at ScreenRant.
The Lucas Cage Return
Colter’s return to the role of Luke Cage is a significant moment for fans. He spent years playing the character during the Marvel shows’ Netflix era. Now, he is set to return for Daredevil: Born Again.
The show’s cancellation after Season 3 adds a layer of poignancy to the character’s final arc. For fans who grew attached to Colter’s portrayal, the upcoming season represents both a conclusion and a farewell.
The Sequel That Fell Through
The Plane sequel was a planned project that never quite made it off the ground. Colter was due to begin shooting the film this year, but the project stalled when Butler changed his mind and pulled out. The decision left the sequel in limbo, with no clear timeline for its revival.
For Colter, the setback is a reminder that even successful franchises face unexpected obstacles. The actor has continued to build his portfolio regardless, taking on Cupertino as his next major project.
Streaming Schedule
Cupertino streams the day after it airs on CBS. Fans who subscribe to Paramount Plus will be able to watch new episodes the morning after they air on network television. The show premieres on Thursday, October 8.
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Thursday, October 8 | Cupertino premieres on CBS |
| Friday, October 9 | New episodes stream on Paramount Plus |
What to Expect
The show’s premise is simple: a small-time lawyer takes on a powerful corporation. That setup has proven effective in the genre before, and Cupertino is banking on it to draw viewers in.
Colter’s casting is a strong draw. His history with Marvel and his work in Plane have established him as a reliable performer. The show’s streaming schedule on Paramount Plus makes it accessible to a wide audience.
The Verdict on the Replacement Claim
Whether Cupertino lives up to the hype remains to be seen. The show has a solid premise, a talented lead, and a streaming schedule that puts it in direct competition with Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer.
The comparison is a tall order. Cupertino is entering a crowded field, but it has the ingredients to succeed.
A Promising Premiere
Cupertino premieres on Thursday, October 8, on CBS. The show streams the day after it airs on Paramount Plus. Fans of legal dramas have plenty to watch, with a new series from a star actor set to take over the world starting next week.
The show’s positioning as a replacement for The Lincoln Lawyer is a confident statement. Whether it earns that title will depend on the quality of the storytelling, the performances, and the audience response.
Source material: “CBS' New ‘Lincoln Lawyer’ Replacement Officially Premieres in 1 Week,” Collider.
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