The Lincoln Lawyer is a Netflix series adapted from Michael Connelly’s novel The Brass Verdict; not to be mistaken with the 2011 movie of the same name that starred Matthew McConaughey and was adapted from a different novel by the same author. After the most extended wait, the crime-thriller starring Manuel Garcia Rulfo is finally here and is proving to be a surprise for the critics.
People weren’t as excited to see this one because the actors aren’t known; and McConaughey, as always, stole the show in the last one, so it’s understandable if people don’t want to give the newcomer, Manuel Garcia Rulfo, a chance to replicate him.
Manuel, the new Mickey Haller, is sure to have done a little dance when reviews started flowing in immediately after the release. They were all in his favor and spoke about how his ethnicity really enhanced his character. An American actor was less likely to ace it even though Spanish wasn’t a prerequisite for the casting.
Manuel Garcia Rulfo shares the details of his casting in Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer
In a recent LA Times interview, Michael was asked a few things related to the show and his role. The questions circled around his views on films portraying Latinos negatively, his journey as a non-native, the worst audition he has ever given, and his experience shooting The Lincoln Lawyer. The following tweet was his answer to what made the producers choose him as the lead.
I'm just very happy and thankful that David E. Kelley bet on me, not because it’s me or because I’m Mexican but because they bet on a guy that has an accent portraying Mickey Haller." – @rulfomanuel on his starring role in THE LINCOLN LAWYERhttps://t.co/dwH35IfVU8
— Con Todo (@contodonetflix) May 13, 2022
The actor also shared his experience auditioning on a zoom call during the peak pandemic. He said, “They sent me the scenes. I read them, and the character’s words just made me want to say them out loud.”
Manuel and his journey into the film world
Manuel was born in Jalisco, Mexico. Graduating with a communications degree helped him realize his dream of filmmaking. And soon, like his grandfather, he started pursuing the latter as a career. His most prized possession is an old editing machine from his grandfather. Following several rejections in Hollywood, Garcia returned to Mexico. His acting skills found recognition as he got a few local Spanish projects under his belt. His work tells us there’s so much more to Manuel than just his accent.
Known previously for his roles in ‘6 Underground’ and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, The Lincoln Lawyer marked Garcia’s debut as the first lead role for an American production. In the show, Garcia plays Mickey Haller, a sidelined lawyer. He tries restarting his career and practices out of his Lincoln town car. As he’s taking cases across LA, he comes across a murder case that thickens the plot.
The show is surely not the best that has come out of Netflix, but it’s not a complete throwaway either. It’s the needed binge-worthy crime-thriller that’s not as intense and can be watched without too much thought. As you watch it, let us know how you found it in the comments.
Patti
May 16, 2022 at 6:56 amI LOVE IT! We’ve binge watched it this weekend. Great show. Great lead actor. The entire cast is wonderful.
S smartt
May 25, 2022 at 5:20 amI don’t find the casting that strong; the lead isn’t entirely believable as an addict much less a strong, charismatic defense lawyer. The dialogue isn’t horrible but I wish they would just let him show his Hispanic accent instead of trying for and failing at a clean American accent.
Sharron
May 27, 2022 at 7:06 pmThe accent is exactly what brought me here. I was confused about whether he was supposed to be the series version of McConaughey or not. Must say I like them both, he is very relatable and I’m watching it now as we speak. Didn’t actually pick up that he was Latino, thought the accent was Mauri or Samoan…but now that I know, yep it’s definitely Latino. It’s worth watching, an easy series that doesn’t need you to rack your brain…peaceful and soothing. I put it on as soon as I jump into bed.
pipi poe
June 4, 2022 at 5:36 amI’ve not been able to get into this. One of the first lines of the show: “You gotta go in there full Micky Haller”. Well there’s no Micky Haller in this Micky Haller whatsoever. I loved the movie , even though it had a mediocre and predictable plot, mainly because of the protagonist and the books as well. However this version of Micky lacks all of the charisma, swagger, charm, streetsmarts and je m’en fous mentality I’ve come to expect from this character. By no means does that make Manuel a bad actor but i do feel he was the wrong cast. Still, the fault lies largely with the script. It’s a decent show on it’s own merrits but if you’ve read any of the books or watched the movies and loved Micky Haller like I did, you’ll be disappointed coming into this and expecting more of the same.
Margie
June 28, 2022 at 7:03 amThe character wasn’t super easy to understand. Didn’t love the accent.
TNR
June 10, 2022 at 2:49 amMy husband and I are really enjoying the show. It is interesting enough and we love the lead actor, as well as his driver. and his investigator Cisco. We actually think the lead’s accent makes him more interesting. We couldn’t place the accent (doesn’t sound Mexican to us!) so we looked it up which is how I landed on this review. There could be a little more intrigue but we like how easy it is to watch! It’s an easy chaser after a swig of The Staircase which puts a both on edge. 😉
Sarah
June 18, 2022 at 3:31 amI’ve read every Michael Connelly book and enjoyed The Lincoln Lawyer movie but I can’t get into the TV show… mostly because of Manuel Garcia-Rulfo‘s Mexican accent. Mickey Haller is from Los Angeles and isn’t Hispanic in the books. He wouldn’t have a Mexican accent and every time Rulfo talks I cringe. I thought good actors were supposed to be able to fake American accents.
Terri N.
June 27, 2022 at 9:46 amI am from Los Angeles and attended a Catholic school. Many of my schoolmates were Hispanic. Some of my friends had Hispanic accents but most spoke standard issue “Californian”. Probably depends on what language is spoken at home. This actor’s accent is a little troubling because I would expect that a child raised in a wealthy household with a Latina mother and an Anglo father would not have as strong an accent as this actor does. Still, I enjoyed his performance and the series in general.
CSFurious
June 27, 2022 at 9:08 pmIt is not very good and I could tell that he is non-native English speaker just by listening to him.
Sara
June 30, 2022 at 6:00 pmLike a lot of other posters, I can’t get into this as it is devoid of any semblance of the Haller of Connelly’s books and the accent is part of the problem. I’m sure Rulfo is a decent actor but he is certainly miscast in this and is a bit cringy. McConaughey was a much better Haller.
Jackson
December 27, 2022 at 8:24 pmI’m in love with his accent. I didn’t watch the one with Matthew McConaughey. This Mickey is believable, charming, intelligent, sexy without being arrogant. I love everything about him. He’s great with Izzy, both his ex’s are believable and so is Cisco. I love this show. I’m watching slowly because the next season doesn’t come until summer! Darn!