CBS has greenlit a new legal drama titled 'Cupertino,' set to premiere in fall 2026, starring Mike Colter as a lawyer fighting a tech giant in Silicon Valley. The series, produced by Robert and Michelle King, explores themes of corporate injustice after the protagonist is cheated out of stock options by his former employer. It marks another California city-inspired show, potentially boosting Cupertino's profile beyond its tech reputation.
Series Overview
'Cuperino' is described as a 'David vs. Goliath legal drama' centered in the heart of Silicon Valley. The plot follows a determined lawyer who refuses to back down after being defrauded of his stock options by his ex-tech startup employer. Led by Mike Colter, known for his role in the CBS/Paramount+ series 'Evil' (2019-2024), the show promises intense courtroom battles and corporate intrigue.
The series is the creation of married producers Robert and Michelle King, who previously developed hits like 'The Good Wife,' 'The Good Fight,' and 'Elsbeth' for CBS. It received a green light from the network last month and is slated for a 13-episode first season.
Production and Location Details
While it's unclear if filming will occur in Cupertino or solely on soundstages in Los Angeles, the production team has reached out to city officials for preliminary discussions. This interest aligns with Cupertino's recent surge in film inquiries, prompting a proposed city policy for film permits. At a November 4 City Council meeting, Interim City Manager Tina Kapoor noted over a dozen such requests in the past year, including from CBS, Yamaha, and others. The policy aims to streamline processes and recover costs, with final approval set for December 2.
Cupertino joins a legacy of California place-named TV shows, such as 'Beverly Hills 90210,' 'Silicon Valley,' and 'The Streets of San Francisco.' The city previously hosted scenes from the 2015 biopic 'Steve Jobs' at DeAnza College's Flint Center.
Local Reactions
Cupertino Mayor Liang Chao expressed enthusiasm, stating, “I’m delighted to learn that ‘Cupertino’ will be a legal drama — something in the spirit of ‘The Good Wife,’ which happens to be one of my favorite shows.” Claudio Bono, president-elect of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, added, “As a hotelier who travels the globe to promote our city... we’re also rich in history, culture and natural beauty.” Local boosters see the series as a chance to highlight the city's appeal beyond tech giants like Apple.