Netflix’s ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Is Ending With Season 5 — but a New Spin-Off Is Already in Development

Cobie Smulder’s character was introduced during season 4’s finale(Image: Netflix)

The Lincoln Lawyer may be heading toward its final case on Netflix, but the world surrounding Mickey Haller could continue with an entirely new series.

The upcoming fifth season has been confirmed as the crime drama’s last, bringing an end to a Netflix adaptation that has built a devoted following since its 2022 debut and currently holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Yet reports from Variety and Deadline suggest Netflix is already developing a potential replacement: a spin-off centered on Cobie Smulders’ newly introduced character, Artemisia “Emi” Finch.

The idea could keep The Lincoln Lawyer universe alive beyond its flagship series, although some fans are questioning why other established characters — particularly Neve Campbell’s Maggie McPherson — were not chosen instead.

Cobie Smulders’ Character Could Lead the Next Series

Fans want Neve Campbell to get her own show in the Lincoln Lawyer universe(Image: Netflix)

Smulders, best known as Robin Scherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother and Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, made her debut in The Lincoln Lawyer during the Season 4 finale.

Her character, Artemisia “Emi” Finch, is Mickey Haller’s half-sister and is expected to take on a more substantial role during Season 5.

According to Deadline, the same creative team behind Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer is writing the proposed spin-off.

The project is reportedly being fast-tracked, although Netflix has not yet officially given it a full-series green light.

That distinction means the spin-off is currently in development rather than guaranteed to reach screens.

Why Mickey Haller Has a Half-Sister in the Netflix Series

The introduction of Emi represents a significant change from author Michael Connelly’s novels, on which The Lincoln Lawyer is based.

In Connelly’s books, Mickey Haller does not have a half-sister filling this role. His half-brother is Harry Bosch, the celebrated detective who leads another major series of Connelly novels.

Bosch has already been adapted for television in the Prime Video series Bosch.

Because Netflix does not have the ability to incorporate that version of the character into The Lincoln Lawyer, the adaptation created Emi to occupy a similar place within Mickey’s family story.

If the proposed spin-off moves forward, that television-specific character could become the centerpiece of Netflix’s attempt to extend the franchise.

‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Has Built a Loyal Audience

Fans also think Cisco’s backstory would provide a compelling spin-off(Image: Netflix)

Since premiering in 2022, the legal crime thriller has become a popular part of Netflix’s drama lineup.

Viewers have described the series as “addictive,” “flawless” and even “one of the best shows ever,” while its Rotten Tomatoes rating across the series currently stands at 92%.

That popularity has made news of its conclusion particularly disappointing for some fans.

Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer book series contains eight novels, but the Netflix adaptation has not followed every installment in publication order.

Several books have been skipped for the television version, including the first novel, which previously provided the basis for the 2011 film The Lincoln Lawyer.

The final season of the Netflix series is instead being adapted from the penultimate book in the series.

Fans Aren’t Convinced Netflix Has Chosen the Right Spin-Off

While the prospect of keeping the universe alive has attracted interest, the reported choice of Emi as the potential lead has divided viewers.

Some fans argue Netflix already has a character capable of carrying her own legal drama: Maggie McPherson, played by Neve Campbell.

Maggie is Mickey Haller’s ex-wife and a lawyer herself, giving the character an existing connection to both the legal world and the established series.

Discussing the proposed spin-off on Reddit, one viewer wrote: “If they absolutely had to have a new series with a white woman leading, the phenomenal Neve Campbell is right there.”

Another said: “I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I would have loved a Maggie spin-off.”

A fellow fan agreed, replying: “You are not the only one..I need more Maggie/Neve Campbell in my life.”

Maggie was not the only alternative suggested.

Other viewers believe Cisco, Mickey’s investigator, has enough history to support a separate series.

“I’d love a Sisco spinoff, could focus on his origin story,” one fan suggested.

Could ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Become a Bigger Netflix Franchise?

For now, The Lincoln Lawyer remains the only confirmed series.

Its fifth and final season will bring Mickey Haller’s Netflix story to a close, while the proposed Emi Finch project remains in development without an official series order.

Still, the involvement of the existing creative team and reports that development is being accelerated suggest Netflix is actively exploring ways to continue the universe after the original show ends.

Whether audiences embrace a series centered on a character introduced so late in The Lincoln Lawyer remains to be seen. Judging by the early fan reaction, however, plenty of viewers already have their own ideas about who should inherit the franchise.

The Lincoln Lawyer is available to stream on Netflix.