In the ‘Your Honor’ series, the worlds of Judge and Mobster collide. It is a legal drama that explores the moral quandary of a reputed judge when he confronts a personal problem. And that sensitive family issue takes a very serious turn when a well-known mobster in New Orleans threatens the Judge.
Please note that it is inspired by the Israeli TV series. The original Israeli series is called Kvodo (כבודו in Hebrew), and it was released in 2017. Since then, there have been many versions adopted by different countries so far.
Spoiler-Free Review: Your Honor (Seasons 1 & 2/USA) Series
The synopsis
| First (S1/2020) Season | Bryan Cranston stars as a New Orleans judge who is forced to confront his own deepest convictions when his son is involved in a hit-and-run that embroils an organized-crime family. As a storm of vengeance, lies and deceit threatens to engulf the entire city, Michael Desiato faces a series of increasingly impossible choices and discovers just how far an honest man will go to save his son’s life. |
| Second (S2/2023) Season | Bryan Cranston returns as ex-judge Michael Desiato, a man forced to face the wreckage of his former life. Disbarred, disgraced and all but destroyed, nothing can bring him back from the brink until a federal agent coerces him into a scheme to take down the Baxter family. Revenge can’t return all he’s lost, but redemption offers a ray of hope. He has a chance to strike a blow against the empire of corruption and vengeance that runs New Orleans, but will it be enough to lay his ghosts to rest? |
About its two seasons
When we watched the finale of the first season of this legal drama, we thought it was the end. But when the second season dropped, we had to watch it. It is almost as good as the first season. Besides, we get the sense of closure for most of the key characters.
As the saying goes, “The good or bad, what you put out comes back to you, it is called Karma.”
But in August 2021, its network Showtime renewed it for a second season.
And the same was premiered in January 2023. It seems they decided to go ahead with the second season to provide closure to its characters as well as fans. Both seasons of this series are worth watching for Bryan Cranston’s impactful and sensitive acting.
Actor Bryan Cranston is a good
This series’ protagonist (a Judge) is played by Bryan Cranston, while the antagonists (mobster spouses) duo are played by Michael Stuhlbarg and Hope Davis. All three leading actors have done a fine job of keeping us engaged across its two seasons.
Originally this show was announced as a one-season limited series.
We have been a big fan of Bryan Cranston. One cannot forget his award-winning acting performance in the “Breaking Bad” series. And we also loved his heart-breaking performance in this tragic family (legal) drama.
Honestly, we must admit that most of the actors in the ensemble cast of this series have done a good job. Although the story of the first season was better and tighter than that of the second season.
About the second season finale
The second season is the finale of this legal and family drama series. So, it has tried to tie up its story in a credible manner, for almost all the show’s leading characters. Thankfully for its viewers, this series has managed to wrap the story in a somewhat satisfactory manner.
However, we do not like such kinds of endings.
The conclusion
Still, we believe, it is a great show that depicts – how our lives can be adversely affected by the choices and decisions that we make. Such is the human imperfections. We can admit that we loved this emotional crime drama tremendously.
Especially the strong family bond between a single father and his son. It is a perfect show to watch if you like legal (crime) dramas.
Sneak Peek of the Your Honor (Season 1/USA) Series
Ratings of the Your Honor (Seasons 1 & 2/USA) Series
| Seasons | FM Ratings |
|---|---|
| First (1st) Season | 4.00/5 |
| Second (2nd) Season | 3.80/5 |
Posters of the Your Honor (Seasons 1 & 2/USA) Series
Key Details about the Your Honor (Seasons 1 & 2/USA) Series
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller, Mystery, Legal |
| Creator | Peter Moffat |
| Taglines | How far would you go to save your child? |
| Released & Episodes | First Season (S1) – December 2020 (Ten Episodes) Second Season (S2) – January 2023 (Ten Episodes) |
| Main Cast (S1) | Bryan Cranston (Michael Desiato), Hunter Doohan (Adam), Michael Stuhlbarg (Tommy), Sofia Black-D’Elia (Frannie), Carmen Ejogo (Lee Delamere), Hope Davis (Gina Baxter), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (Charlie), etc. |
| Main Cast (S2) | Bryan Cranston (Michael Desiato), Hope Davis (Gina Baxter), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (Charlie), Amy Landecker (Det. Nancy Costello), Sofia Black-D’Elia (Frannie), Michael Stuhlbarg (Tommy), Carmen Ejogo (Lee Delamere), Keith Machekanyanga (Little Mo), Andrene Ward-Hammond (Big Mo), etc. |
| Awards | British Society of Cinematographers 2021 – Winner – Operators Award – Television Drama – Daniel Bishop Episode 1 International Sound & Film Music Festival (ISFMF) 2021 – Winner Crystal Pine – Best Original Score, Series or Limited Series – Volker Bertelmann |
Trailer of the Your Honor (Season 2/USA) Series
Bonus info. about the Your Honor series
This series was initially supposed to be a limited series, initially. Its lead actor – Bryan Cranston was not only nominated for the Golden Globes Awards (USA 2021) for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series but also the Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards (2021) nominated him for Best Actor in a Limited Series. Besides, Hope Davis was nominated for the Satellite Awards (2021) for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for TV.
The original Israeli TV series Kvodo has also inspired a Hindi language series – Your Honor, from India; which stars Jimmy Shergill, Varun Badola, Mita Vashisht, Yashpal Sharma, etc. It also garnered high ratings from viewers. To be honest, we have only seen this USA version of Your Honor show.
If you like watching legal drama from the United States of America, then check out our article about another legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer, too.
Featured & Other Images: Your Honor | Showtime.
