The Lincoln Lawyer Star Finds New Leading Project As Netflix's Hit Legal Series Prepares To End With Season 5

Published Nov 7, 2026, 3:55 PM EST 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 As Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer prepares to enter its final season following Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) through one last dizzying case, the show's leading star has announced their next major project. Netflix's series, which has been adapting Michael Connelly's book series since 2022, may be finishing strong, with season 5 expected to drop sometime in March 2027. While the countdown has started, Garcia-Rulfo will head in a completely new direction and has already found his next major role. According to Deadline, the actor's taking on a leading role in Am I The Wave?, which will adapt Francisco Goldman's novel, Say Her Name. The project, which is being directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella and co-stars Renata Vaca, is currently filming. Garcia-Rulfo will play Francisco, a character based on Goldman. As an American novelist dividing his time between New York and Mexico, Francisco meets Aura, a fellow writer, and their relationship quickly becomes complicated and passionate as they navigate an intense tragedy. Based on Goldman's real-life relationship with Mexican writer Aura Estrada, the film gives Garcia-Rulfo the chance to explore romance through more than its typical loving lens, bringing grief and loss into play as the story progresses. With him and Vaca bringing the couple to life, Am I The Wave? will see both actors branching out from their previous work. Although Garcia-Rulfo has already begun work on Am I The Wave?, the star's final season of The Lincoln Lawyer has yet to hit Netflix's screens, leaving the job unfinished for now. Though The Lincoln Lawyer season 5 will finally premiere in early 2027, audiences are already looking for ways to bring Mickey Haller back into the picture, namely through the upcoming spinoff series Netflix will produce with Cobie Smulders' Emi Finch, Mickey's half-sister. While Garcia-Rulfo has a new project on his hands, he could return to the Connelly universe in some capacity after The Lincoln Lawyer ends. With season 5 set to consist of 10 episodes, the series is set to come to its natural end with Garcia-Rulfo and the rest of the cast moving on to their next projects as well. Despite the planned conclusion to Mickey Haller's story, The Lincoln Lawyer closing its doors has been a tough pill for audiences to swallow. Thankfully, Garcia-Rulfo's return to the screen in Am I The Wave? will bring the actor back to audiences quicker than anticipated, and in an entirely different role. 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