Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis has made her fiction debut with 'Judge Stone,' a legal thriller co-written with bestselling author James Patterson. The novel, set for release on March 9, 2026, centers on a Black female judge in rural Alabama facing a controversial case involving rape and abortion. Davis drew from her personal experiences to shape the characters, emphasizing the need to address sensitive topics openly.
Viola Davis, known for her EGOT status and roles in films like 'Doubt' and 'Fences' and the TV series 'How to Get Away with Murder,' has entered the publishing world with 'Judge Stone.' Co-authored with James Patterson, who has previously collaborated with figures like Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, the book is a 432-page legal thriller published by Little, Brown and Company.
The story follows Judge Mary Stone, a respected Black female circuit judge in Union Springs, Alabama, a town of 3,314 people. She presides over a highly controversial case where a teenage girl named Nova is raped and undergoes an illegal abortion. Judge Stone balances her duties on the bench with running her family farm and serving free breakfasts at home. The narrative explores themes of justice, conscience, and moral dilemmas in the American South.
Davis explained her involvement: 'I felt a responsibility to women who have been sexually assaulted and raped, especially children, as I am one of them. And what they also deserve is the truth of how it made them feel.' She noted that her own life story influenced the characters, honoring her experiences from childhood in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Patterson highlighted the book's purpose: 'To make it so it's not a lightning rod. And I think that's why this story is so good, why it's so powerful, because we're going into areas that people aren't [talking about]. We need to talk about it.'
The authors connected despite their differences, with Davis describing Patterson positively: 'And yet, meeting, writing this book, I just liked him. We just connected.' Patterson added, 'I think magic can happen a lot, if people would just stay open.' The book arrives amid Davis's established career, including her Oscar-nominated role in the 2008 film 'Doubt' opposite Meryl Streep and her portrayal in 'Air' of a figure involved in Michael Jordan's shoe deal.
A live conversation between Davis and Patterson is scheduled at the 92nd Street Y on the release date, March 9, 2026. The novel is available in hardcover, large print trade paperback, eBook, and audio formats through retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.