The legal drama based on Michael Connelly’s novels returns to Netflix with its most personal case yet, and critics are once again giving it top marks.
The fourth season of The Lincoln Lawyer arrived on Netflix on February 5, 2026, and within days of its release, the critical consensus became clear. For the second season in a row, the Manuel Garcia-Rulfo-led series has earned a perfect 100 percent score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes .
This achievement follows the show’s third season, which also received a flawless 100 percent critics score on the review aggregation site . The back-to-back perfect scores cement The Lincoln Lawyer as one of Netflix’s most consistently well-reviewed dramas of the 2020s.
The new season, consisting of 10 episodes, adapts Michael Connelly’s sixth novel in the Lincoln Lawyer series, The Law of Innocence . This time, the story takes a sharp turn from previous seasons by putting the defense attorney on the other side of the courtroom.
Mickey Haller Faces Murder Charges in Season 4
The core premise of Season 4 flips the script entirely. After the shocking Season 3 finale, where police discovered the body of con artist Sam Scales in the trunk of his Lincoln, Mickey Haller finds himself arrested and charged with murder .
For the first time, the charismatic Los Angeles defense attorney must fight for his own freedom. He stands trial for a murder he insists he did not commit, forcing him to defend himself while sitting in the defendant’s chair .
This role reversal brings a fresh dynamic to the series. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo described the season as “darker” and “more emotional” in an interview with Deadline. He explained that playing Mickey as a man struggling against the system while relying on loved ones made for more compelling drama .
The season follows Mickey and his team as they work to prove his innocence by unraveling Sam Scales’ final scam. Their investigation puts them in direct conflict with the District Attorney’s office, the FBI, and figures from Mickey’s past .
Cast Expands With Familiar Faces for New Season
The regular cast returns with familiar faces. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo leads the series as Mickey Haller. Becki Newton is back as Lorna Crane, Mickey’s loyal and sharp paralegal who takes on a more significant role this season. Jazz Raycole returns as Izzy Letts, Mickey’s former client turned driver, and Angus Sampson reprises his role as Cisco, the investigator with a soft spot for the team .
Neve Campbell returns as a series regular, playing Maggie McPherson, Mickey’s first ex-wife and a prosecutor. Her presence throughout the entire season adds emotional weight to the story . Elliott Gould also returns as David “Legal” Siegel, and Krista Warner is back as Mickey’s daughter Hayley .
The new season brings several notable additions to the cast. Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) joins in a key role, though details about her character remained under wraps before release . Constance Zimmer (Entourage) plays Dana Berg, a formidable prosecutor with ties to Maggie .
Sasha Alexander (NCIS, Rizzoli & Isles) appears as FBI Agent Dawn Ruth. Kyle Richards (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) takes on the role of socialite Celeste Baker . Other guest stars include Emmanuelle Chriqui, Jason O’Mara, and renowned chef Nancy Silverton in a cameo appearance .
Critics Praise New Direction While Viewers Share Mixed Feelings
The critical reception for Season 4 has been overwhelmingly positive, matching the perfect score of Season 3. As of February 12, 2026, the season holds a 100 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews .
Reviewers have pointed to the fresh perspective of putting Mickey on trial as a smart way to keep the series engaging. Screen Rant’s Dani Kessel Odom called the season “deeply entertaining with great performances and clear reverence for the book.” CBR’s Christine Persaud described it as a “satisfying ride” that solidifies the show as one of Netflix’s best originals .
However, the audience score tells a slightly different story. The season currently sits at a 78 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the lowest-rated season among viewers . Some fans have pointed to weaker writing and what they perceive as filler content in certain episodes.
One IMDb user review noted that while Season 4 felt refreshing compared to previous installments, they expected more intensity given where Season 3 left off. The same review praised the stronger focus on family dynamics and character relationships, especially Maggie’s consistent involvement throughout the season .
A more critical review on Douban suggested the show has shifted away from being “case-driven” to becoming an “ensemble growth story.” The reviewer expressed concern that the legal drama now prioritizes character development over intricate plot twists .
Despite the split between critics and some viewers, the show remains a streaming powerhouse. It currently sits as the Number 4 TV show on Netflix worldwide .
Release Information for Global Audiences
Netflix released all 10 episodes of Season 4 simultaneously on February 5, 2026 . The streaming platform made the season available to subscribers in all regions at the same time, with release times varying by location.
For viewers in the United States, the season premiered at midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST). East Coast audiences could start streaming at 3 am Eastern Standard Time (EST) . British viewers gained access at 8 am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), while audiences in continental Europe could watch from around 9 am onward .
In India, The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 became available at 1:30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) on February 5 . Canadian and Australian viewers could also stream the season from the early morning hours of February 5 local time.
The complete first three seasons remain available on Netflix for viewers who need to catch up or revisit earlier cases .
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Season 5 Already Confirmed Before Season 4 Premiere
Netflix demonstrated confidence in the series by renewing The Lincoln Lawyer for a fifth season on January 28, 2026, a full week before Season 4 even debuted .
Co-showrunner Ted Humphrey shared the news through Netflix’s Tudum fan hub, stating: “We’re so excited to share the upcoming fourth season with the audience on Feb. 5, and even more excited to share the news that we’re already hard at work on the next one. Season Four is the most challenging and intensely personal journey we’ve taken Mickey Haller on yet, and we’re thrilled and grateful to be able to continue the ride in season five” .
Season 5 will consist of another 10 episodes and will be inspired by Connelly’s seventh Lincoln Lawyer novel, Resurrection Walk, published in 2023 . Filming for the new season is scheduled to begin in March 2026 in Los Angeles .
The core cast, including Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, and Cobie Smulders, are all expected to return for the fifth season .
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