Matthew Rhys is Perry Mason in trailer for the HBO miniseries

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

"The way I see it, there's what's legal…and there's what's right."

The first trailer for Perry Mason, HBO's upcoming miniseries which follows the early years of the famed fictional criminal defense lawyer, has been released, and it certainly looks like another fine addition to HBO's library. The character has appeared in novels, short stories, feature films, and radio shows, but the best known adaptation of the character created by Erle Stanley Gardner is the long-running TV series which starred Raymond Burr in the leading role. The new miniseries finds Matthew Rhys (The Americans) taking on the title role of Mason, who, at this point in his life, is living pay-cheque to pay-cheque as a low-rent private investigator, all while being haunted by his wartime experiences in France and suffering the effects of a broken marriage.

The project has been in development for quite some time, and was set to star Robert Downey Jr. at one point, but when it became clear he wouldn't have the time for the project, they decided to search for another actor to take on the role. Downey Jr. has remained onboard as an executive producer. In addition to Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason also stars Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), John Lithgow (PET SEMETARY), Chris Chalk (When They See Us), Shea Whigham (JOKER), and Juliet Rylance (The Knick).

The official synopsis for Perry Mason:

You know his name, but not his past. The new original series Perry Mason, starring Emmy winner Matthew Rhys, premieres June 21. Based on characters created by Erle Stanley Gardner, this drama series follows the origins of American Fiction’s most legendary criminal defense lawyer, Perry Mason. When the case of the decade breaks down his door, Mason’s relentless pursuit of the truth reveals a fractured city and just maybe, a pathway to redemption for himself.

Perry Mason will debut on HBO on June 21, 2020.