Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Perry Mason, which stands as HBO’s most ambitious reimagining of a classic character, transforming the familiar defense attorney into a gritty Depression-era detective story.
Perry Mason premiered on June 21, 2020, and ran for two seasons with 16 episodes until the series concluded in 2023. Created by Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald and based on the character by Erle Stanley Gardner, this HBO series stars Matthew Rhys as the title character during his origin story. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes, with the series set in 1932 Los Angeles during the Great Depression and focusing on Perry’s transformation from struggling private investigator to defense attorney.
Set in the booming yet corrupt landscape of 1932 Los Angeles, the series follows Perry Mason as he transitions from a down-and-out private investigator to a criminal defense lawyer. Perry Mason doesn’t just update the classic character; it completely reimagines the origin story within the social and economic turmoil of Depression-era America. With its noir atmosphere, complex character development, and unflinching examination of institutional corruption, the show created television that felt both historically grounded and dramatically compelling.
Los Angeles 1932: Where Dreams Meet Corruption
Perry Mason presents Depression-era Los Angeles as a city where the entertainment industry boom masks widespread poverty, corruption, and social inequality. The series explores how economic desperation creates opportunities for both crime and exploitation, from kidnapping schemes targeting wealthy families to religious charlatans preying on desperate believers. Each episode builds atmosphere through meticulous period detail showing oil derricks, orange groves, and Hollywood’s early excess alongside breadlines and Hoovervilles.
The show’s genius lies in using the 1932 setting not just as historical backdrop but as commentary on American inequality and institutional failure. Whether following cases through wealthy Hancock Park mansions or impoverished downtown neighborhoods, Perry Mason demonstrates how economic disparity creates conditions for both crime and injustice. The city becomes a character representing the promises and failures of American capitalism during its most vulnerable period.
Perry Mason: The Damaged Investigator
Matthew Rhys delivers a complex performance as Perry Mason, reimagined as a World War I veteran turned struggling private investigator haunted by battlefield trauma and personal failures. This version of Perry represents the anti-heroic detective archetype, someone whose moral compass remains intact despite being damaged by war and economic hardship. His character explores themes of redemption, justice, and the possibility of personal transformation even in middle age.
Throughout Perry Mason, Perry’s evolution from cynical investigator to passionate defense attorney mirrors America’s own struggle to maintain idealism during the Depression. Rhys’s portrayal captures both Perry’s investigative brilliance and emotional vulnerability, showing how trauma can both motivate and hinder someone’s pursuit of justice. His journey becomes a study of how individuals rebuild their lives and find new purpose after experiencing profound loss and disillusionment.
Della Street: The Power Behind the Partnership
Juliet Rylance delivers a powerhouse performance as Della Street, reimagined as a capable legal secretary whose intelligence and determination drive much of the firm’s success. This version of Della represents the capable woman fighting for recognition in a male-dominated profession while navigating her own personal struggles with identity and sexuality. Her character arc explores themes of loyalty, ambition, and the challenge of maintaining authenticity in restrictive social circumstances.
Della’s relationship with Perry becomes the series’ emotional anchor, a professional partnership built on mutual respect and shared commitment to justice. Rylance’s portrayal shows Della’s evolution from supporting character to co-equal partner, revealing how competent women carved out authority within limiting professional structures. Her journey examines how personal relationships can become the foundation for both professional success and emotional survival.
When Justice Confronts Institutional Power
The series reaches its most powerful moments during courtroom sequences where Perry’s cases expose the corruption connecting wealthy elites, religious institutions, and law enforcement. The trials become battles between individual justice and systemic corruption, showing how the legal system both enables and occasionally prevents institutional abuse. These episodes reveal the show’s essential theme: that justice requires constant vigilance against those who would subvert it for personal gain.
The courtroom scenes in Perry Mason demonstrate how effective advocacy requires both legal skill and moral courage, particularly when challenging powerful interests. The series shows how criminal cases become windows into broader social problems, from police corruption and religious fraud to economic exploitation and racial injustice.
Success on HBO and Streaming Platforms
Perry Mason became a critical success for HBO, earning praise for its reimagining of the classic character while establishing the network’s commitment to sophisticated period drama. The series proved that audiences would embrace darker, more complex versions of familiar characters when treated with intelligence and respect. Perry Mason remains available exclusively on HBO Max, with its noir atmosphere and character development setting it apart from traditional legal procedurals. The show’s format of character-driven legal drama became a template for prestige television that treats genre elements as vehicles for serious social commentary. Perry Mason earned critical acclaim for its writing, performances, and production design that authentically recreated Depression-era Los Angeles.
Television’s Most Sophisticated Legal Drama
If you love period dramas, character studies, or legal stories that examine social issues, Perry Mason is the perfect series to binge on HBO Max. The show’s combination of noir atmosphere and courtroom drama creates viewing that’s both entertaining and intellectually challenging.
Why This Series Redefines Classic Characters
Perry Mason transcends typical legal drama by serving as both entertainment and historical examination of American justice during economic crisis. The series combines exceptional character development with authentic period atmosphere, showing how familiar characters can be reimagined for contemporary relevance without losing their essential appeal. The show’s commitment to historical authenticity, combined with outstanding writing and performances, makes it essential viewing for anyone interested in legal drama or simply great television storytelling. Whether you’re drawn to its noir elements, character development, or social commentary, Perry Mason delivers a viewing experience that feels both classic and completely fresh.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16 episodes (completed series)
Platform: HBO Max (exclusive)
Release/End Year: 2020-2023
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Period Legal Drama, Noir
Production Type: American Television Series
Status: Completed series
Protagonists: Matthew Rhys (Perry Mason), Juliet Rylance (Della Street)
Main Supporting Cast: Chris Chalk (Paul Drake), Shea Whigham (Pete Strickland), John Lithgow (E.B. Jonathan), Tatiana Maslany (Sister Alice McKeegan)