Damages
Damages
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Damages

7.4
Yr 2007
Status Ended
Mystery Drama Crime
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Series Brief

Overview

Damages is an American legal thriller television series created by the writing and production trio of Daniel Zelman and brothers Glenn and Todd A. Kessler. The plot revolves around the brilliant, ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes and her protégée, recent law school graduate Ellen Parsons. Each season features a major case that Hewes and her firm take on, while also examining a chapter of the complicated relationship between Ellen and Patty. The first two seasons center around the law firm Hewes & Associates. Later seasons center more on Patty and Ellen's relationship as Ellen begins to distance herself from Hewes & Associates and begins an independent career.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

Damages is widely celebrated as a gripping, sophisticated legal thriller that prioritizes psychological tension and character study over traditional courtroom procedural tropes. Critics frequently praise the show's dark, cutthroat tone and its ability to maintain a high-stakes, cinematic quality throughout its run, bolstered by exceptional performances from leads Glenn Close and Ted Danson.

While the series garnered significant critical acclaim and multiple industry awards for its writing and acting, some reviewers noted a divide between its compelling periphery and the emotional depth of its central characters. The show’s complex serialized format and unsettling ambiguity have been cited as its primary catalysts for success, keeping audiences engaged even as the narrative evolved across its five-season run.

“Damages watches like an hour-long film that keeps viewers itching for a sequel.”

“Damages proves once again why it is one of the smartest thrillers on TV.”

“Glenn Close has played some pretty nasty characters in her day. But all of 'em would be scared to death of Patty Hewes.”

“Damages takes a darker look at the cutthroat world of litigation.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Hulu
US
Tubi TV
US
The CW
US
Show 5 more
Crave
CA
Citytvplus Amazon Channel
CA
CTV
CA
ITVX Premium
UK
ITVX
UK
Why fans love it

Premiering in 2007, this legal drama plays far more like a tense psychological thriller than a standard courtroom procedural. The narrative centers on Patty Hewes, a brilliant and ruthless lawyer who takes on major trials while pulling recent law school graduate Ellen Parsons into her orbit. Crime, murder, and legal strategy intertwine from the very beginning.

The core tension comes from the volatile bond between its two female protagonists. Anchored by Glenn Close, the series tracks a complicated mentorship that evolves as Ellen attempts to distance herself from the firm of Hewes & Associates to build an independent career. Each season introduces a major new case, but the ongoing mystery remains centered on how these two women navigate power, loyalty, and ambition.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 4
Longest run 59 eps
Glenn Close
Glenn Close
as Patty Hewes
59 episodes
Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne
as Ellen Parsons
59 episodes
Ted Danson
Ted Danson
as Arthur Frobisher
22 episodes
Tate Donovan
Tate Donovan
as Tom Shayes
39 episodes
Campbell Scott
Campbell Scott
as Joe Tobin
13 episodes
Noah Bean
Noah Bean
as David Connor
17 episodes
Željko Ivanek
Željko Ivanek
as Ray Fiske
16 episodes
Martin Short
Martin Short
as Leonard Winstone
13 episodes
Show 67 more
Anastasia Griffith as Katie Connor 22 episodes William Hurt as Daniel Purcell 13 episodes Marcia Gay Harden as Claire Maddox 13 episodes Ryan Phillippe as Channing McClaren 10 episodes Timothy Olyphant as Wes Krulik 14 episodes Zachary Booth as Michael Hewes 30 episodes Glenn Kessler as Agent L.J. Werner 14 episodes Mario Van Peebles as Agent Randall Harrison 11 episodes Dylan Baker as Jerry Boorman 10 episodes John Goodman as Howard Erickson 10 episodes David Costabile as Bearded Man 15 episodes Lily Tomlin as Marilyn Tobin 10 episodes Ben Shenkman as Curtis Gates 11 episodes Tom Noonan as Detective Victor Huntley 17 episodes John Doman as Walter Kendrick 10 episodes Michael Nouri as Phil Grey 19 episodes Tara Summers as Alex Benjamin 5 episodes Saundra Santiago as Karen Gonzales 5 episodes Debra Monk as Deniece Parsons 12 episodes Chris Messina as Chris Sanchez 16 episodes Bailey Chase as Sean Everett 5 episodes Dominic Chianese as Stuart Zedeck 7 episodes Michael Gaston as Roger Kastle 8 episodes Miriam Shor as Carrie Parsons 5 episodes Matthew Davis as Josh Reston 5 episodes Adriane Lenox as Angel Auroro 5 episodes Michael Kostroff as Judge Richard Gearheart 5 episodes Jennifer Roszell as Deb Shayes 8 episodes Peter Riegert as George Moore 9 episodes Carmen Goodine as Lila DiMeo 6 episodes Damian Young as Well-Dressed Man 5 episodes Peter Facinelli as Gregory Malina 10 episodes Philip Bosco as Hollis Nye 11 episodes Tom Aldredge as Uncle Pete 12 episodes Casey Siemaszko as Detective Dan Williams 11 episodes Marlyne Barrett as Felicia Marquand 8 episodes Donnie Keshawarz as Andrew Vida 9 episodes Maya Days as Detective Rosario Ortiz 11 episodes Victor Arnold as Larry Popler 5 episodes Kevin Isola as I.T. Representative 6 episodes Elliot Korte as Owen Frobisher 7 episodes Todd A. Kessler as Perry the Doorman 9 episodes Darren Goldstein as Chris Sharp 7 episodes Wendy Moniz as Jill Burnham 7 episodes Judd Hirsch as Bill Herndon 14 episodes Clarke Peters as Dave Pell 8 episodes Paige Turco as Christine Purcell 5 episodes John Hannah as Rutger Simon 10 episodes David Pittu as Jack Shaw 5 episodes Li Jun Li as Maggie Huang 11 episodes Kiley Liddell as Catherine Hewes 7 episodes Michael Pemberton as Intimidating Man 10 episodes Gillian Alexy as Gitta Novak 10 episodes Jenna Elfman as Naomi Walling 6 episodes Janet McTeer as Kate Franklin 9 episodes William Sadler as Helmut Torben 6 episodes Derek Webster as Anthony Carter 8 episodes Jeff Binder as Assailant 8 episodes Brett Cullen as Wayne Sutry 6 episodes Darrell Hammond as The Deacon 7 episodes Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Nick Salenger 8 episodes Glenn Fleshler as Detective Milton Trammell 6 episodes Paul Carafotes as Man in Over Coat 6 episodes Vanessa Ray as Tessa Marchetti 7 episodes Stephen McGahan as 6 Year Old Erickson 6 episodes Drew Beasley as 9 Year Old Erickson 6 episodes Brandon Thane Wilson as 16 Year Old Erickson 6 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Costume Designer
Mirela Rupic Frank L. Fleming
Casting Director
Ross Meyerson
Director
Colin Bucksey Todd A. Kessler Steve Shill Constantine Makris Timothy Busfield Ed Bianchi Nick Gomez Marcos Siega Ken Girotti John David Coles Dan Attias Michael Pressman Matthew Penn Lawrence Trilling Mario Van Peebles
Executive Producer
Daniel Zelman Todd A. Kessler
Second Second Assistant Director
Henri Sann Ted O'Connor Raymond L. Negron
Post Production Supervisor
Deen Dioria
Key Makeup Artist
Vanessa Elese
Assistant Editor
Gina Sansom
Director of Photography
Jonathan Freeman
Art Department Coordinator
Michael Rosebush-DiCenzo
Set Decoration
David Schlesinger
Key Construction Grip
Ryan Gertsen
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Damages overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

murder lawyer trial female protagonist psychological thriller woman lawyer ruthless legal drama
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
July 24, 2007
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
231