The Lincoln Lawyer has returned to Netflix with its fourth season, and the streamer additionally already went forward and renewed the hit authorized drama collection for a fifth season. Each seasons promise to reunite followers with the characters they know and love, most particularly Mickey Haller. Nonetheless, season 4 may have one acquainted face from the earlier two seasons noticeably absent.
Earlier than season 4 had even premiered, it had been confirmed that Yaya DaCosta wouldn’t be returning to reprise her collection common position as Andrea “Andy” Freemann. DaCosta, who beforehand appeared in exhibits Chicago Med and Our Type of Folks, first joined the forged of The Lincoln Lawyer in a recurring position in season 2 earlier than becoming a member of the principle forged for season 3.
Andy started as an in depth good friend to his ex-wife Maggie and a courtroom foil for Mickey, however their relationship blossomed right into a romantic one in season 3. DaCosta appeared in season 3 as a collection common although Andy wasn’t featured within the Michael Connelly e-book upon which the season was based mostly. However why is not the character and actress seen in The Lincoln Lawyer season 4?
Why did Yaya DaCosta go away The Lincoln Lawyer as Andy?
When Netflix first introduced The Lincoln Lawyer season 4, Yaya DaCosta’s identify was omitted from the preliminary forged checklist, which signaled that Andy would not be featured within the season. She is not in The Regulation of Innocence, the Connelly e-book the season is predicated on. Netflix had additionally confirmed that Neve Campbell would return as a full-time collection common after taking up a extra recurring position after the primary season, although Campbell’s return did not affect DaCosta’s position.
DaCosta broke her silence on her exit from The Lincoln Lawyer in an interview with TV Insider in April 2025, offering followers with some perception into why Andy would not be in season 4. The actress confirmed that after the season 3 ending, which did not embody a correct send-off for Andy, that the viewers would doubtless be as blindsided as she was to not see her character again on display.
“Andrea’s absence was not anticipated or defined to the viewers. Generally when issues like this occur, the writers will give an evidence in a dialog between two characters who’re on the present. Or somebody will make a telephone name and fake the disappeared character is on the opposite finish. Who is aware of what they’ll do? I’m simply specializing in the now and future,” DaCosta instructed TV Insider.
When the outlet requested DaCosta how she felt about Andy being written out of The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 with out clarification, she stated, “My satisfaction is irrelevant. I think about the final word divine plan for my profession and for my life.” Whereas she would not look like holding any grudges, she additionally did not mince phrases when expressing that both method, her emotions did not issue into the choice.
Nonetheless, when The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 dropped, showrunner Ted Humphrey appeared to counsel that previous characters may nonetheless pop up in future seasons. “You by no means say by no means. To begin with, clearly we’ve acquired to get one other season after which hopefully seasons after that,” he instructed TV Insider. “Andrea is a superb software in our toolbox that we might love to seek out one other method to make use of.”
Minor season 4 spoilers from this level ahead.
Now that The Lincoln Lawyer season 5 has been renewed, you by no means know who may pop up based mostly on Humphrey’s earlier assertion. Andy was briefly talked about early on in season 4, although her absence wasn’t defined. Clearly, she nonetheless exists within the universe. Season 4 additionally featured a cameo from season 2 star Lana Parrilla, so cameos look like within the playing cards. However Cobie Smulders’ shock character seems to be the brand new focus for season 5. We’ll should see what occurs!
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