Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer Is Spinning Off A Character Who Isn't In The Books

MovieStillsDB Published Aug 22, 2026, 8:15 PM EDT Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV. Sign in to your ScreenRant account The Lincoln Lawyer, which has been a huge hit for Netflix throughout its run, is coming to a close and setting up a spinoff series that will involve a character who doesn't appear in Michael Connelly's book series, a massive pivot for the show. Throughout The Lincoln Lawyer, the series has had to make a few changes from the source material in order to move forward, despite it being a page-to-screen adaptation. While Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) is still the main character, one of the biggest parts of his story becomes his relationship with his paternal half-brother, Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch. Although Bosch is a character in the books, he's not a character who was able to appear on The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix, because Prime Video's Bosch own the IP for the character. Despite Mickey and Bosch having a close relationship that weaves through both of their book series, The Lincoln Lawyer had to make a choice to cut Bosch out of the show. Thankfully, the series came to find that there was another way to move forward during The Lincoln Lawyer season 4. With the addition of Cobie Smulders as Emi Finch, Mickey's half-sister, things are progressing. While Bosch has been a tremendous success for Prime Video and The Lincoln Lawyer has been a huge win for Netflix, the fact that the characters can't interact has been a sticking point for both shows. Now, with The Lincoln Lawyer ending, the show's spinoff will forge a new path. Cobie Smulders' Emi Finch Can Be Netflix's Version Of Harry Bosch Image via Netflix Although The Lincoln Lawyer introduced Emi in a smaller capacity, it's clear that she's taking on the role that Bosch would be playing in the series if he could appear on-screen. Having only come into play during The Lincoln Lawyer season 4's finale, there's not much known about Emi yet, but it's clear that as Mickey's newly discovered half-sibling, she's going to be slotting into the role that would be occupied by his half-brother in the upcoming season, which adapts one of The Lincoln Lawyer books that heavily involves a Bosch storyline. With Netflix having announced a spinoff of The Lincoln Lawyer that focuses on Emi directly, it's clear that the platform is looking to spearhead its own version of Bosch, albeit a gender-bent one. Emi may not be the same character by far, but the fact that she's taking over the Bosch role on The Lincoln Lawyer is huge, and whatever the series chooses to do with her will make her spinoff all the more interesting. As Connelly is involved in The Lincoln Lawyer, it seems likely that the character will ultimately have the right touch for the TV universe. Emi Finch Will Be A Key Character In The Lincoln Lawyer Season 5 Before The Spinoff Image via Netflix Although viewers only had a moment to get to know Emi during The Lincoln Lawyer season 4's finale, Smulders has joined the series in a much larger capacity for The Lincoln Lawyer season 5. With Smulders getting the chance to bring Emi to life in the world of Mickey, and with viewers having the opportunity to learn more about the character over the course of the 10-episode season, it's clear that the series will try and push its viewers into being interested in Emi's spinoff. Despite there being very little information about what's to come, Emi already seems like an interesting character. Knowing that she's occupying such an important part of The Lincoln Lawyer's universe, it's likely that the upcoming season of the series will delve into Emi, creating stories for her to anchor and ensuring that she builds a relationship with Mickey as they move through a season together. Giving viewers the opportunity to get to know the new anchor point of The Lincoln Lawyer's upcoming spinoff will be important, especially if Netflix is hoping to build a true franchise for the popular series. Release Date 2022 - 2027-00-00 Network Netflix Directors David E. Kelley Cast Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Mickey Haller Writers David E. Kelley Creator(s) David E. Kelley