The Rainmaker season 1 episode 1 - A detailed case overview

The Rainmaker is set to launches as a straight-ahead legal drama built around a single client, a single claim, and the pressure that follows when a rookie lawyer squares off against a powerhouse firm. The series adapts John Grisham’s 1995 novel of the same name but updates details for television.

Viewers meet recent law school graduate Rudy Baylor, a young attorney who starts his career with a setback and quickly finds a cause that defines his early practice. The tone is brisk as scenes move from offices to hallways to courtrooms, with the camera sticking close to statements, filings, and strategy.

The show was developed by Michael Seitzman and Jason Richman and set to premiere on USA Network with a main cast led by John Slattery, Milo Callaghan, and more.

The pilot is set to lays out the players one by one. Rudy parts ways with a prestigious firm run by Leo F. Drummond. Work then comes from Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone, who runs a scrappy shop with paralegal Deck Shifflet. That is the springboard to the case at the center of episode 1.

A family seeks answers over a hospital death. Allegations point to choices made inside the facility, and the dispute turns on records, timelines, and competing expert views. The result is a first episode that frames a fight over duty of care while also introducing the relationships that will fuel the season.

The case in The Rainmaker episode 1: parties, claim, and stakes

Episode 1 centers on a wrongful death claim tied to treatment inside a hospital. The petition lands on Rudy’s desk after his split from Leo’s firm. Conflict is built-in since Leo’s side represents the hospital.

Sarah Plankmore, a fellow law graduate and Leo’s associate, stands across the aisle and inside the opposing strategy meetings. That places the case at the intersection of law and personal ties.

The complaint sets out a simple path: a young man enters care, his condition declines, and the family alleges that actions at the hospital caused or accelerated the fatal outcome. Files, intake notes, test results, and chain-of-command questions matter, and so do calls and emails, if any, that speak to who knew what and when.

The defense aims to break causation and offer alternate explanations. The plaintiff aims to draw a straight line from the choices made to the harm suffered. In the middle stands Rudy, building a record with Bruiser and Deck while dealing with early-career pressure and a far better-funded opponent.

About The Rainmaker

The series adapts Grisham’s novel for television with Seitzman as showrunner and with backing from Blumhouse Television and Lionsgate Television.

The primary cast includes Milo Callaghan as Rudy Baylor, John Slattery as Leo F. Drummond, and Madison Iseman as Sarah Plankmore. Lana Parrilla plays Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone, P. J. Byrne stars as Deck Shifflet, Robyn Cara as Kelly Riker, Dan Fogler as Melvin Pritcher, Wade Briggs as Brad Noonan, and Tommie Earl Jenkins as Prince Thomas.

Production notes describe a modern setting while keeping the core book setup: a young lawyer on a tough case against a seasoned adversary.

The Rainmaker Season 1 Trailer (Image via @RottenTomatoesTV YouTube)

The pilot is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at 10 pm ET/PT on USA Network. The Rainmaker season 1 episodes will roll out weekly in one-hour blocks. Each installment arrives on Peacock one week after the cable broadcast.

About the author

Preethika Vijayakumar is an Entertainment writer at Sportskeeda with a keen interest in pop culture. Although a law student, her curiosity about the world and passion for writing inspired her to explore and analyze the complex narrative and diverse character arcs that define the daily soaps.

With experience as a legal content writer, Preethika also achieved a notable accomplishment as her work was published in a book about criminology and victimology. As a fellow binge-watcher, Preethika aims to provide insightful analysis based on her firsthand viewing experiences, ensuring accuracy and relevance in her writing.

Outside of professional endeavors, she enjoys reading, playing guitar, and creating ceramics. Her favorite celebrity is Jensen Ackles, and if given the opportunity, Preethika would love to be a part of his show, Supernatural, although she isn’t sure she could last until the end.

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Edited by Arunava Dutta