CBS’s Matlock Replacement Is Scarily Realistic—and Feels Like a 2026 Documentary
A new legal drama takes over
CBS has built much of its primetime identity around dramas. Cupertino, a legal series set in Silicon Valley, has taken a prominent spot after Matlock was moved to mid-season 2027 for a creative reset following a behind-the-scenes scandal.
Created by Robert and Michelle King, the team behind The Good Wife, Cupertino stars Mike Colter as Michael Prince. After losing his position at a startup over stock options, Michael joins former employee Olivia Siffre, played by Rachel Keller, to launch a firm representing people harmed by powerful technology companies.
Technology at the center
The series uses cases to explore the consequences of new technology and the challenges of regulating it. Early episodes examine products developed faster than society can establish safeguards for their use.
In a recent episode, Michael and Olivia learn that Bo, a client they have met virtually, is a self-learning artificial general intelligence model. Bo wants to sue its creator to restore regulatory and ethical controls after becoming sentient, creating a difficult question for the lawyers.
Early response to Cupertino
Cupertino has aired only a few episodes, but the story says audiences have been captivated by its subject matter. It describes the show as blending legal drama with a tech-thriller approach and humor.
Rotten Tomatoes scores cited in the story give the series 100% on the Tomatometer and 78% on the Popcornmeter. The critic consensus praises its mix of legal drama and technology themes, while the show’s clear-eyed treatment of the industry highlights moral complications without passing judgment.
Key points
- Cupertino took a prominent CBS slot after Matlock moved to mid-season 2027.
- Mike Colter plays lawyer Michael Prince, who starts a firm with Olivia Siffre.
- A recent case follows an AI model seeking legal and ethical controls.
- The story cites a 100% Tomatometer score and a 78% Popcornmeter score.