© 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLCThis follow-up to NBC’s 1984-92 sitcom Night Court stars former The Big Bang Theory costar Melissa Rauch (who is also an executive producer here) as eternally optimistic Judge Abby Stone. Following in the footsteps of her revered late father, Judge Harry Stone (played in the original series by Harry Anderson, who passed away in 2018), Abby takes on the challenge of overseeing the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court.
From photos of the series showing Abby Stone’s chambers looking much like the set from the original (updated a bit, of course), it appears to be a direct sequel. A very notable and welcome link to that first series is costar John Larroquette, who reprises his multiple Emmy-winning role of Dan Fielding. While Fielding was originally a prosecutor, Abby — as part of her quest to bring order and dignity to the court, and rein in its colorful crew of oddballs — enlists him to serve as the public defender. As he adjusts to his new boss and new job of defending the downtrodden, one thing about Fielding remains the same: his exceeding self-confidence. Yet Abby believes that beneath his arrogant demeanor, there is an empathetic side to him that she is determined to unearth.
Newcomers to the franchise, along with Rauch, include India de Beaufort as Olivia, the court’s officious assistant district attorney who views the night court as merely a stepping stone on her way to bigger things; Kapil Talwalkar as neurotic court clerk Neil; and Lacretta as Donna “Gurgs” Gurganous, the latest of Night Court’s fiercely protective bailiffs.
Night Court debuts on NBC with back-to-back episodes Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 8pm ET/PT.
