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The Practice

  • TV Series
  • 1997–20041997–2004
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
8.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,074
122
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, LisaGay Hamilton, Steve Harris, Camryn Manheim, Kelli Williams, and Michael Badalucco in The Practice (1997)
The Practice Scene: Scene 1
Play trailer2:37
9 Videos
92 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery

We follow the exploits and cases of defense attorneys of a Boston law firm. Bobby Donnell is the senior defense attorney and founder of the firm.We follow the exploits and cases of defense attorneys of a Boston law firm. Bobby Donnell is the senior defense attorney and founder of the firm.We follow the exploits and cases of defense attorneys of a Boston law firm. Bobby Donnell is the senior defense attorney and founder of the firm.

IMDb RATING
7.7/10
8.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,074
122
  • Creator
    • David E. Kelley
  • Stars
    • Dylan McDermott
    • Kelli Williams
    • Lara Flynn Boyle
Top credits
  • Creator
    • David E. Kelley
  • Stars
    • Dylan McDermott
    • Kelli Williams
    • Lara Flynn Boyle
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 84User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 15 Primetime Emmys
      • 58 wins & 117 nominations total

    Episodes167

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos9

    Holland Taylor on the Roles That Changed Her Life
    Clip 1:12
    Holland Taylor on the Roles That Changed Her Life
    "The First" Cast Connections: Meet the Mars Mission's Crew
    Clip 3:57
    "The First" Cast Connections: Meet the Mars Mission's Crew
    The Practice
    Clip 0:47
    The Practice
    The Practice: The Final Season
    Clip 2:27
    The Practice: The Final Season
    The Practice Scene: Scene 1
    Trailer 2:37
    The Practice Scene: Scene 1
    The Practice
    Trailer 1:59
    The Practice
    The Practice Scene: Scene 2
    Trailer 1:27
    The Practice Scene: Scene 2
    The Practice (German Blu-Ray/DVD Trailer)
    Trailer 1:35
    The Practice (German Blu-Ray/DVD Trailer)
    The Practice Scene: Scene 3
    Trailer 1:11
    The Practice Scene: Scene 3

    Photos92

    Lara Flynn Boyle and Dylan McDermott in The Practice (1997)
    David Kelsey in The Practice (1997)
    Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, and Kelli Williams in The Practice (1997)
    Michael Badalucco in The Practice (1997)
    Camryn Manheim in The Practice (1997)
    The Practice (1997)
    Dylan McDermott in The Practice (1997)
    Steve Harris and Michelle Hurd in The Practice (1997)
    Camryn Manheim in The Practice (1997)
    The Practice (1997)
    Camryn Manheim and Carolyn McCormick in The Practice (1997)
    The Practice (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dylan McDermott
    Dylan McDermott
    • Bobby Donnellas Bobby Donnell
    147 episodes147 eps • 1997–2004
    Kelli Williams
    Kelli Williams
    • Lindsay Doleas Lindsay Dole
    145 episodes145 eps • 1997–2003
    Lara Flynn Boyle
    Lara Flynn Boyle
    • A.D.A. Helen Gambleas A.D.A. Helen Gamble…
    132 episodes132 eps • 1997–2003
    Steve Harris
    Steve Harris
    • Eugene Youngas Eugene Young
    167 episodes167 eps • 1997–2004
    Camryn Manheim
    Camryn Manheim
    • Ellenor Fruttas Ellenor Frutt
    167 episodes167 eps • 1997–2004
    Michael Badalucco
    Michael Badalucco
    • Jimmy Berlutias Jimmy Berluti
    166 episodes166 eps • 1997–2004
    LisaGay Hamilton
    LisaGay Hamilton
    • Rebecca Washingtonas Rebecca Washington
    145 episodes145 eps • 1997–2003
    Marla Sokoloff
    Marla Sokoloff
    • Lucy Hatcheras Lucy Hatcher
    113 episodes113 eps • 1998–2004
    Jessica Capshaw
    Jessica Capshaw
    • Jamie Stringeras Jamie Stringer
    44 episodes44 eps • 2002–2004
    Ray Abruzzo
    Ray Abruzzo
    • Detective Michael McGuireas Detective Michael McGuire
    44 episodes44 eps • 1998–2004
    Jason Kravits
    Jason Kravits
    • Richard Bayas Richard Bay…
    31 episodes31 eps • 1999–2001
    Holland Taylor
    Holland Taylor
    • Judge Roberta Kittlesonas Judge Roberta Kittleson
    29 episodes29 eps • 1998–2003
    Linda Hunt
    Linda Hunt
    • Judge Zoey Hilleras Judge Zoey Hiller
    23 episodes23 eps • 1997–2002
    Rhona Mitra
    Rhona Mitra
    • Tara Wilsonas Tara Wilson
    22 episodes22 eps • 2003–2004
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Alan Shoreas Alan Shore
    22 episodes22 eps • 2003–2004
    Bill Smitrovich
    Bill Smitrovich
    • A.D.A. Kenneth Walshas A.D.A. Kenneth Walsh
    22 episodes22 eps • 2001–2004
    Richard McGonagle
    Richard McGonagle
    • Judge Patrick Wilcoxas Judge Patrick Wilcox
    16 episodes16 eps • 1997–2003
    James Pickens Jr.
    James Pickens Jr.
    • Detective Mike McKrewas Detective Mike McKrew
    15 episodes15 eps • 1997–2000
    • Creator
      • David E. Kelley
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Bobby Donnell is the head of a struggling Boston law firm that seems to constantly struggle with ethical themes while defending murderers, rapists, etc. Jimmy, Eugene, Ellenor and Lindsay are junior attorneys with the firm, the streetwise receptionist, and Helen the firm's frequent adversary with the D.A.'s office in this smart and clever weekly series. —Marty McKee <mmckee@wkio.com>
    • legal drama
    • timeframe 1990s
    • timeframe 2000s
    • timeframe 21st century
    • timeframe 20th century
    • 26 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Romance
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • TV-14
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      David E Kelley wrote this concurrently as he was writing Ally Mcbeal, and he won Emmys for both shows in the same year; one for best comedy and one for best drama. This has never been done before or since.
    • Quotes

      Helen Gamble: I need it, Richard. Give it to me.

      Richard Bay: What?

      Helen Gamble: The speech. Why we do what we do.

      Richard Bay: Oh, I am not really in the mood after...

      Helen Gamble: PLEASE, Richard. I NEED it. Please give it to me. And don't just phone it in.

      Richard Bay: Helen...

      Helen Gamble: Please! Can't you see how demoralized I am?

      Richard Bay: OK. (takes a deep breath) There are heroes in this world. They're called District Attorneys. They don't get to have clients, people who smile at them at the end of the trial, who look them in the eye and say, "thank you." Nobody is there to appreciate the District Attorney, because we work for the state. And our gratitude comes only from knowing there's a tide out there. A tide the size of a tsunami coming out of a bottomless cesspool. A tide called crime, which, if left unchecked will rob every American of his freedom. A tide which strips individuals of the privilege of being able to, to walk down a dark street or take twenty dollars out of an ATM machine without fear of being mugged. All Congress does is talk, but it's the District Attorney who grabs his sword, who digs into the trenches and fights the fight. Who dogs justice day, after day, after day without thanks, without so much as a simple pat on the back. But we do it. We do it, we do it because we are the crusaders, the last frontier of American justice. Knowing that if a man cannot feel safe, he can never, never feel free.

      Helen Gamble: Thank you.

    • Crazy credits
      Except for Dylan McDermott, who is listed first in the opening credits, all the other cast members are listed in alphabetical order, by last name. Often, a new cast member is listed before a veteran due to this.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1998)

    User reviews84

    Review
    Top review
    "Riveting, Life-Changing, A Triumph!"
    The Practice is a magnificent triumph created by one the most ingenious masterminds of the nineties, David E. Kelley. The Practice features the most incredible cast that a law series could hope for. My first impression was: "There is no way that these people aren't real lawyers, I mean, it's just not possible!" Dylan McDermott is fantastic as Bobby Donnell, Steve Harris riveting as Eugene Young, The beautiful Kelli Williams is exquisite as Lindsey Dole, and the rest of the cast (leading and guest) doesn't fall far behind.

    Overall, The Practice has not only created brilliant entertainment for every television-owning family in the world, it has also inspired me to become a criminal defense attorney.

    If you're not watching the Practice yet, wake up!

    Thank you, Mr. Kelley, you make Monday nights in South Africa a pleasure!
    helpful•31
    5
    • jaspervanzyl
    • Feb 2, 2001

    FAQ1

    • Why were most of the main actors fired in 2004?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 4, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Практика
    • Filming locations
      • Suffolk County Courthouse - 1 City Hall Square, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
    • Production companies
      • David E. Kelley Productions
      • Daydreamers Entertainment Inc.
      • Decode Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, LisaGay Hamilton, Steve Harris, Camryn Manheim, Kelli Williams, and Michael Badalucco in The Practice (1997)
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    By what name was The Practice (1997) officially released in Canada in French?
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