Robert and Michelle King have built a reputation for crafting sharp, character-driven legal dramas, and their latest series, Cupertino, is no exception. After four seasons of Elsbeth and its unconventional detective work, the duo has shifted gears to Silicon Valley, where two underdog lawyers take on tech giants. Now, with Episode 8, the show is about to dive into its first murder trial, and we've got an exclusive first look.
In Cupertino, Mike Colter and Rachel Keller star as Michael Price and Olivia Siffre, lawyers who've been burned by the very tech industry they once served. They've since founded a firm dedicated to fighting for the little guy, taking on cases that range from a grieving mother whose son was manipulated by a chatbot to a coder blamed for a fatal drone crash, and even a sentient AI concerned about its own lack of safeguards. Their track record against corporate titans has been impressive, but they've never had to defend a client in a murder trial—until now.
Episode 8, titled "Judith & Michael," is set to air on November 19. The official logline teases a case that feels ripped from today's headlines: "Michael and Olivia defend a journalist who is framed for murder in a case that exposes the vast surveillance apparatus tracking every American. Meanwhile, Bo tries to reconnect with Christy and the team." It's a premise that fits Cupertino's wheelhouse perfectly, as the show has consistently tackled the most pressing fears and frustrations with modern technology and the billionaires who often cross ethical lines without consequence.
The exclusive images from the episode show Michael and Olivia in full work mode, reviewing evidence, meeting with their client in custody, and coordinating with Natalia (Busy Philipps) as they race to build a defense. There are also glimpses of Vik (Nik Dodani) and Christy (Ella Stiller) together, looking a bit uneasy about the direction things are heading, especially with Bo (Rob McClure) trying to mend fences.
Cupertino has been a hit with critics and audiences alike, earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's own Therese Lacson praised the "dynamic duo" of Colter and Keller in her 7/10 review. The show has also performed well in ratings, ranking as one of the fall's top new series alongside NCIS: New York, drawing in 6.8 million viewers in its second week. CBS is clearly invested in the show's success, even airing encores of early episodes to boost visibility.
For fans of legal thrillers, this episode promises to deliver the same sharp writing and timely commentary that have made the Kings' shows so compelling. If you're looking for more gripping legal dramas, check out our list of classic action thrillers or dive into The Rainmaker's latest episode for another dose of courtroom tension.
Don't miss Cupertino Episode 8, airing on CBS on November 19. Check out the exclusive images in the gallery above.
