CBS's new legal thriller Cupertino is heating up, and Episode 5 brings a familiar face into the fray. Kennedy McMann, known for her starring role in Nancy Drew, steps into the series as Celeste, a friend of Olivia's who becomes the lead plaintiff in a case against an AI training company accused of wage and overtime abuse. The stakes are personal, and the tension is palpable in our exclusive sneak peek.
The clip opens with Michael's assistant, Christy (Ella Stiller), keeping a late-night vigil with Natalia (Busy Philipps) while Michael (Mike Colter) stealthily navigates a maze of shipping containers. Their mission? To track down someone with insider knowledge about their AI client, Bo (Rob McClure). But the quiet operation is shattered when Christy receives a frantic call from Olivia (Rachel Keller), who demands she play along with Celeste's incoming call.
Celeste has just been fired, and she's furious. She wants Christy's help in launching a labor war by unionizing "the main 30"—and she wants to start that very night. It's a bold move that could shift the balance of power, but it also puts everyone in the crosshairs. As if an angry Celeste weren't enough, a cloaked figure wielding a sword begins trailing Michael, and Natalia is ready to take matters into her own hands, gun drawn, rather than wait for law enforcement.
This episode arrives as Cupertino continues to build momentum. The series, created by Robert and Michelle King, has already earned a Certified Fresh 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and drew a strong premiere audience of 7.17 million viewers with delayed viewing factored in. It's a promising start for a show that fills the Thursday night void left by Matlock's hiatus, and it pairs perfectly with Elsbeth in the network's lineup.
For those who haven't tuned in yet, Cupertino follows Michael Price and Olivia Siffre as they build their boutique law firm from scratch, taking on Silicon Valley giants on behalf of everyday people. They've already scored some early victories and gained a powerful ally in Natalia, whose financial backing keeps the lights on. The show's blend of dark comedy and light sci-fi has struck a chord with critics and audiences alike.
Looking ahead, CBS is pulling out all the stops to expand the show's reach. This Sunday, November 8, the network will air a special Cupertino takeover, with new episode "Harper" at 8 p.m., followed by reruns of the first two episodes. In "Harper," Christy faces a personal crisis when an AI algorithm cheats her friend out of a life-saving transplant, and Michael and Olivia race to get a judge to intervene—all while stuck in a massive traffic jam that turns the courtroom into a mobile battleground.
Episode 5 of Cupertino premieres Thursday, November 5, on CBS. Check out our exclusive sneak peek above to see the tension unfold. And if you're hungry for more legal drama, be sure to explore our other coverage, including Cupertino's viewership surge and Josh Holloway's new role in Tracker.
