Benched (TV series)
Benched is an American single-camera sitcom, created by Michaela Watkins and Damon Jones, about a high-powered corporate lawyer's fall from grace into the rough-and-tumble world of a public defender. The series stars Eliza Coupe and Jay Harrington in pivotal roles with Maria Bamford, Jolene Purdy, Carter MacIntyre and Oscar Nunez as the supporting cast. The show premiered on USA Network on October 28, 2014.
On January 14, 2015, USA Network cancelled Benched after one season because of low ratings. The series premiered to 870,000 viewers in October, and while it held steady for much of its 12-episode run, its showing remained modest. Despite cancellation, Benched received mostly positive reviews during its short run with the pairing of Coupe and Harrington being pointed as the highlight of the show.
Cast
- Eliza Coupe as Nina Whitley, a career-driven corporate attorney who has a nervous breakdown and becomes a Los Angeles County Public Defender
- Jay Harrington as Phil Quinlan, Nina's colleague
- Oscar Nunez as Carlos, Nina's colleague
- Jolene Purdy as Micah, an intern in the Public Defender's Office
- Carter MacIntyre as Trent Barber, Nina's former fiancé and professional nemesis
Recurring
- Maria Bamford as Cheryl, one of Nina's colleagues, described by the USA Network website as "useless and empathetic" and the "comic relief" of the office
- Jack McGee as Burt, Nina's boss at the public defender's office
- Gary Anthony Williams as Geoffrey, the new boss who replaces Burt, who is on extended-leave after having surgery.
- Fred Melamed as Judge Don Nelson, the exasperated judge who usually has it out for Nina
- Cedric Yarbough as Morris, the transactional bailiff in Judge Nelson's courtroom
- Peter Spruyt as Larry, one of Nina's colleagues, who's referred to as "Boring Larry" by everyone in the office
- Catherine Reitman as Debbie, Nina's former colleague in her old lawfirm. She was also given the promotion at Nina's old lawfirm that she expected to get
- Albert Tsai as Walker, a 10-year-old boy that Trent sponsors and brings into the courtroom, where he meets Oscar and slowly get along with each other
Development and production
On May 17, 2012, the American cable television network USA ordered a pilot presentation directed by Michael Fresco, from the script by Watkins and Jones. Eliza Coupe signed on to star in the lead role of the series, produced by John Enbom, Mark Gordon and Andrea Shay. On January 24, 2014, a 12-episode first season was ordered, with Jay Harrington joining the series.Casting announcements on the remaining series regular roles began in the following February, with Oscar Nunez cast in the series regular role of Carlos, a public defender and new colleague of Nina's. Shortly afterwards, Jolene Purdy was cast in the series regular role of Micah, an intern in the Public Defender's Office. Carter MacIntyre was the last actor to join in the series regular role of Trent, Nina's former fiancée and professional nemesis.