David Tennant’s Daring Post-Whovian Series: Why It Was Scrapped!

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David Tennant is known for portraying three different Doctors in “Doctor Who,” but many may not know about his first project following the TARDIS. Amongst David Tennant’s best television performances, you’ll find a range of genres, from gripping thrillers to venturing into the “Star Wars” universe. While he left an indelible impression on pop culture through “Doctor Who,” this 54-year-old actor has also excelled in numerous other significant roles.

It’s surprising to consider that David Tennant, a globally recognized star, appeared in a television series that never aired, given how popular he is. Although there are numerous memorable characters played by David Tennant on both film and TV, his fame alone couldn’t prevent Rex Is Not Your Lawyer from being canceled after the pilot episode.

David Tennant Portrayed Anxious Litigator Rex In Rex Is Not Your Lawyer

Tennant Dominates As Rex Is Not Your Lawyer’s Titular Character

In one of NBC’s unreleased legal comedy-drama series, the character portrayed by Tennant, named Rex Alexander, was a skilled attorney. However, his intense anxiety often impeded him from being fully engaged in the courtroom. The pilot episode, titled “Mabel Howard’s Wrongful Termination,” showcases Rex and his unique persona, as he guides his own clients on how to manage their own court cases.

Rex is an intriguing figure, a pity we didn’t get to explore his character further in this part. He’s remarkably sharp-witted, and at times, he reminds me of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes. Despite some unsavory lawyer tendencies, Rex has a genuine concern for his clients and strives to bring justice to their cases.

Rex is an interesting character, it would have been great to learn more about him in this story. He’s very smart and sometimes reminds me of Sherlock Holmes played by Benedict Cumberbatch. However, he also has some shady lawyer habits, but he truly cares about his clients and wants justice for them.

The monologue delivered by Tennant in the scene where Rex experiences his initial panic attacks is exceptional, further highlighting his acting prowess. The character of Rex Alexander held great promise, making it all the more disappointing that the series Rex Is Not Your Lawyer failed to be aired.

Why The Pilot Of NBC’s Rex Is Not Your Lawyer Never Aired

Audiences Didn’t Respond To The Pilot

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’ve often pondered over what factors might have contributed to the less-than-stellar performance of “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer.” The production itself was initially marketed during the 2007-2008 WGA strike, a significant event that occurred years prior to David Tennant’s involvement. This timing undoubtedly caused some delays in getting the project off the ground. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t until November 2009 that the news about David Tennant joining the cast was made public, just two months after he bid farewell to his iconic role as the Tenth Doctor in “Doctor Who.” These circumstances might have played a part in the show’s eventual outcome.

Prior to starting the filming process, the setting for “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer” was switched from Los Angeles to Chicago. However, numerous establishing shots were still captured in the original location during production. Interestingly, actor Jerry O’Connell was spotted on set portraying Bruce Sweet, a character role that initially had Sendhil Ramamurthy attached but ultimately went to O’Connell, causing some confusion among viewers.

Other Notable Actors In Rex Is Not Your Lawyer‘s Pilot Rex Is Not Your Lawyer Character Other Projects They’re Known For
Jeffrey Tambor Dr. Barry Cohen Arrested Development, The Larry Sanders Show, Transparent
Abigail Spencer Lindsey Steers All My Children, Angela’s Eyes, Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy
Jane Curtin Rex’s Mother Saturday Night Live, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Librarian movies
Jerry O’Connell Bruce Sweet Sliders, Jerry Maguire, Scream 2, The Big Bang Theory
Lindsey Kraft Sophia Kraft Grace and Frankie, Getting On, Why Women Kill
Cleo King Mable Howard Mike & Molly, Sons of Anarchy, A Series of Unfortunate Events

During filming, in December 2009, whispers started circulating that the series was planning to shoot the remaining episodes of the season. Yet, by January 2010, it appeared that the sets for “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer” had been dismantled and vanished, and later that year, Tennant clarified in several interviews that the show wouldn’t be produced.

It wasn’t fully explained why the series “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer” didn’t get a full season. As mentioned in M.L. Zambrana’s book, “Rex Is Not Your TV Show: An Unofficial, Unauthorized look at ‘Rex Is Not Your Lawyer'”, the pilot episode was screened twice, but the audience feedback wasn’t particularly positive.

As a movie critic, I’ve had the opportunity to watch multiple variations of the pilot for “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer”. The director’s and producer’s cuts are now accessible online, allowing viewers like myself to form our own opinions about this intriguing series.

The program held great promise, despite some flaws in its initial presentation. Although it’s rather improbable that the actor from “Doctor Who” would take on the role for “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer” after all these years, I hope NBC might reconsider the idea and give the concept a fresh attempt with a new ensemble.

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2025-07-05 19:31