The Lincoln Lawyer is officially returning for season four, and with production on the new episodes underway, a star addition to the cast has been announced.

How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders has been confirmed for the next instalment, which will adapt Michael Connelly’s novel The Law of Innocence to the excitement of fans of the courtroom drama series.

Connelly’s bestselling novel series of the same name is the inspiration behind the series, and viewers can look forward to a dizzying array of shocks and surprises in store for the latest episodes. Here’s all we know about season four of The Lincoln Lawyer.

***WARNING: SEASON 3 SPOILERS AHEAD***

Has The Lincoln Lawyer been renewed for season 4?

A fourth season of The Lincoln Lawyer looks promising. (Netflix)

Yes, Netflix has confirmed that The Lincoln Lawyer is definitely on its way back to the streaming service, with production already underway on the adaptation of The Law of Innocence.

Season three ended with a shocking and dramatic cliffhanger that teed things up nicely for a return, so season four didn’t come as too much of a surprise to viewers.

The Lincoln Lawyer showrunner Ted Humphrey offered hope as he said of the latest finale: “As far as what it all means, hopefully we will be able to show you in Season 4.”

He also told TV Insider: “I think we can say this season will definitely propel us in a very exciting and personal way into a season four. Michael hints that he’s potentially working on another Lincoln Lawyer book beyond the ones that have already been published. We don’t know that for sure. Obviously, if he is working on one, we are very eager to read it.”

On 2 June 2025, Netflix confirmed that season four filming was currently taking place in Los Angeles, but that no release date had been confirmed yet.

Who stars in season 4 of The Lincoln Lawyer?

Cobie Smulders has joined season 4 in a mystery role. (Getty Images)

The big news from The Lincoln Lawyer cast is that they have been joined by How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders, although her exact role isn’t yet known.

Returning is of course show star Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, alongside Becki Newton (Lorna), Jazz Raycole (Izzy), and Angus Sampson (Cisco). Neve Campbell (Maggie McPherson) is also set to return for every episode of the new season, as well as Elliott Gould (David “Legal” Siegel) and Krista Warner (Hayley Haller).

Constance Zimmer is new to the cast as Dana Berg, a former colleague of Maggie’s who has earned the nickname Death Row Dana thanks to her dogged pursuit of guilty verdicts.

Also joining for season four are Kyle Richards, Scott Lawrence, Jason Butler Harner, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Jason O’Mara.

What happened in The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 finale?

Will Mickey be in need of his own defence attorney? (Netflix)

Season three adapted Connelly’s book The Gods of Guilt and saw Mickey representing an innocent man while trying to avenge the death of his friend and former client Gloria Dayton, aka Glory Days.

He uncovered a conspiracy of corruption that went all the way to the top of the police force as it turned out that dodgy drug enforcement agent James DeMarco had sent private investigator to track down Glory Days. DeMarco had been doing deals with a drugs cartel for years and realised his corruption had been uncovered by the escort, so he decided to silence her.

But in a jaw-dropping courtroom scene, Bishop shot himself on the stand after giving his evidence. Fans who thought the case was nicely wrapped up by the end of the season were in for a surprise, as Mickey’s dreams of a happy ending went up in flames in the most dramatic way.

Mickey Haller found a fresh enthusiasm for the law in season three. (Netflix)

Mickey had just decided to finally take a holiday from work and was cruising through LA in his favourite powder-blue Lincoln, but before he got the chance to drive off into the sunset he was pulled over by police.

He had been stopped as his license plate was missing, but on closer inspection there was blood dripping from the back of the car – and on opening the boot, he and the officer discovered con man Sam Scales and been shot dead and hidden in the car.

What will happen in The Lincoln Lawyer season 4?

Mickey turns defendant in the new series. (Netflix)

The Law of Innocence is Connelly’s sixth novel in the series and Netflix’s adaptation will run to 10 episodes.

Speaking to Netflix Tudum, showrunner Humphrey revealed what fans could expect. He said: “Well, the biggest cliff-hanger of all is ‘What is going to happen to Mickey?’ and that one certainly plays out across the whole season in the form of his trial. But in the first episode you’ll understand at least the broad strokes of what specifically has happened and what charges — and adversaries — Mickey is facing.

“This is going to be the biggest and most personal challenge Mickey has ever faced, and also the biggest roller coaster we’ve yet taken our audience on. And of course, our other characters will be dealing not only with Mickey’s case but with a slew of challenges they’re facing as well. As a director, I was so happy with how the third season finale turned out, and I am also directing the opener of season four so it feels like we are picking up right where we left off, which is really fun for me and also creatively very satisfying.”

What will happen to Mickey after that discovery in the trunk? (Netflix)

Humphrey added of the challenge Mickey would face in court: “All the advice he’s given clients over the years, now he has to give himself — and he realises how hollow some of it sounds when you’re the one it’s bouncing off of.

“He’s got to deal with how this impacts not just him but also his family and loved ones, not to mention his business! But don’t worry — he’s going to have help from some of the people our audience loves the most, as well as some familiar faces who will be cropping up along the way — some helpfully… some perhaps not so helpfully, and a few new ones as well.”