The Good Wife

When Peter Florrick, the Cook County State's Attorney, faces a very public sex scandal and corruption charges that land him in jail, his wife Alicia steps out from the shadows. Created by Michelle and Robert King for CBS, The Good Wife premiered in September 2009 and ran until May 2016. Julianna Margulies leads the cast as Alicia, a woman forced to return to her old job as a defense attorney to support her children while navigating a treacherous political landscape. The series blends legal drama with sharp political satire over eight seasons and 157 episodes. Critics and audiences embraced the show for its smart writing and complex character studies. Christine Baranski shines as the formidable Diane Lockhart, while Alan Cumming brings chaotic energy as the eccentric Eli Gold. Matt Czuchry evolves from a junior associate into a powerful player alongside Cush Jumbo, who joins later as Lucca Quinn. The show earned multiple Emmy nominations and maintained a strong rating throughout its run, proving that stories about women rebuilding their lives could drive prime-time television.[edit]