The anti-hero returns: Bryan Cranston is back in ‘Your Honor’
Few parents like to see their children in trouble, but sometimes life lessons are best learned when young people face the music. However, there may be consequences that are just too dire for even the most scrupulous parents. A new miniseries explores the fine line between protection and corruption as a man scrambles to save his son at all costs.
Emmy winner Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) stars as Judge Michael Desiato, a father determined to protect his son in the wake of a terrible accident in “Your Honor,” premiering Sunday, Dec. 6, on Showtime. Soon after he learns that his son, Adam (Hunter Doohan, “Schooled”), has been involved in a fatal hit-and-run, Michael discovers that the victim was none other than the son of a notorious New Orleans crime boss. With few other choices, the respected judge abuses his power and uses his influence to cover up the crime in the hopes of saving his son — and himself.
The new thriller sparks a number of ethical questions, including: “How corrupted can a man become before he lets his child go?” Writer and executive producer Peter Moffat (“Criminal Justice”) asked that very question in an official release for the 10-part miniseries, and it appears that viewers may find out the answer in “Your Honor.”
Inspired by the Israeli TV drama “Kvodo,” the program marks Cranston’s return to a leading television role since his critically acclaimed turn as Walter White in “Breaking Bad.” A mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher, White became a TV anti-hero after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and decided to cook methamphetamine to make enough money to leave his family with a comfortable life after his death. Although Cranston has appeared in episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Electric Dreams,” the actor hasn’t had a regular TV role since “Breaking Bad” wrapped up in 2013. In October, Cranston talked to EW about the role that brought him back to TV.
“Whenever there’s a character who is facing an emotional, ethical dilemma, it draws me in,” Cranston said to EW.
In “Your Honor,” Cranston seems to have found another role he can sink his teeth into. The official trailers for the miniseries show another tortured soul.
“My son,” Cranston’s character, Michael Desianto, says in a trailer. “I dedicated my whole life to him. That level of love can just crack you open, make you someone you never thought you’d be.”
News of Cranston’s casting in “Your Honor” broke in January 2019, and it was likely welcome news for his fans. AMC’s “Breaking Bad” earned the actor four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and two for Outstanding Drama Series for his role as a producer. Many TV pundits consider his work as White to be one of the all-time best performances in television history.
The actor will be in good company when he returns to television in “Your Honor.” Young up-and-comer Doohan has been amassing highprofile TV credits with roles in ABC’s “Schooled,” HBO’s “Westworld” and Netflix’s “What/If.” Interestingly, he recently appeared in the Apple TV+ drama “Truth Be Told” as the teenage version of Aaron Paul’s character. For those not in the know, Paul co-starred with Cranston in “Breaking Bad” as his partner in crime, Jesse Pinkman.
Sofia Black-D’Elia portrays Adam’s secret girlfriend, Frannie, in the new miniseries. Since honing her skills on the set of “All My Children” as a teenager, the actress has made a name for herself with roles such as Tea Marvelli in “Skins,” Sage Spence in “Gossip Girl” and Sabrina Pemberton in “The Mick.”
Veteran performer Isiah Whitlock Jr. plays opposite Cranston as Michael Desiato’s best friend, Charlie, who gets drawn into the judge’s coverup. Best known for his role as corrupt state senator Clay Davis in “The Wire,” Whitlock Jr. has also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including “She Hate Me” (2004) and “BlacKkKlansman” (2018).
In “Your Honor,” Michael Stuhlbarg portrays Jimmy Baxter, the crime boss who vows revenge after his son is killed in the hit-and-run. Television fans may recognize Stuhlbarg as another famous TV mob boss — Arnold Rothstein from “Boardwalk Empire.” The actor’s other credits include films “A Serious Man” (2009), “Doctor Strange” (2016) and “The Shape of Water” (2017).
Hope Davis stars opposite Stuhlbarg as Baxter’s wife, Gina, who may prove to be even more ruthless than her husband. For her previous television work, Davis has earned two Emmy nominations — one for her role in the series “In Treatment,” and the other for her role in the TV movie “The Special Relationship.”
Rounding out the “Your Honor” cast is Carmen Ejogo as the passionate and clever lawyer, Lee Delamere. The English actress has appeared in such films as “Selma” (2014) and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (2016), as well as the television series “Kidnapped,” “Zero Hour” and the third season of “True Detective.”
“Your Honor” will also feature a number of influential guest stars throughout its 10-episode run. Among them are Maura Tierney (“The Affair”) as prosecutor Fiona McKee and Margo Martindale (“The Americans”) as Sen. Elizabeth Guthrie, Michael’s mother-inlaw.
As the stellar cast brings the new TV thriller to life, Cranston’s character will once again face ethical dilemmas similar to ones faced by White in “Breaking Bad.” Can you do the wrong thing for the “right” reason? Can you completely cast aside your morals to protect your family? Is it ever OK to break bad? Find out in “Your Honor,” premiering Sunday, Dec. 6, on Showtime.