The Good Wife: A Standout 21st Century Legal Drama

Julianna Margulies' performance as Alicia Florrick elevated this CBS series into one of the defining dramas of its era.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Premiering in 2009, The Good Wife quickly evolved from a familiar legal drama premise into a razor-sharp political thriller and character study. Centered on Julianna Margulies' nuanced portrayal of Alicia Florrick, the series blended satisfying weekly courtroom cases with long-form emotional and political arcs that rewarded loyal viewers. The Good Wife's impact extended beyond its original run, inspiring acclaimed spin-offs that speak to the richness of the world created by showrunners Robert and Michelle King.

Why it matters

In an era when prestige television is often associated with cable antiheroes and sprawling streaming epics, The Good Wife stands as a reminder that great television has always been defined by character first. Julianna Margulies' extraordinary performance as Alicia Florrick helped redefine what a network TV protagonist could be, playing a complex woman whose evolution was constantly surprising yet authentic.

The details

The Good Wife begins with Alicia Florrick, a stay-at-home mother, returning to her former career as a lawyer after her husband, Illinois State's Attorney Peter Florrick, resigns amid a sex and corruption scandal. Alicia joins the Chicago firm Stern, Lockhart & Gardner, working alongside colleagues like Will Gardner, Diane Lockhart, and investigator Kalinda Sharma. The series blends standalone legal cases with serialized storytelling, tackling everything from tech privacy to political corruption.

  • The Good Wife premiered in 2009.
  • The series ran for seven seasons, concluding in 2016.

The players

Alicia Florrick

The lead character, played by Julianna Margulies, is a former stay-at-home mother who returns to her law career after her husband's political scandal.

Robert and Michelle King

The creators and showrunners of The Good Wife, known for their sharp writing that blends legal drama with biting political satire and surprising humor.

Julianna Margulies

The acclaimed actress whose performance as Alicia Florrick is considered the defining achievement of The Good Wife, earning her multiple Emmy Awards.

The Good Fight

The acclaimed spin-off series that followed Christine Baranski's Diane Lockhart into a new legal and political landscape.

Elsbeth

Another spin-off series centered on Carrie Preston's beloved character from The Good Wife.

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The takeaway

The Good Wife stands as one of the greatest television dramas of the 21st century, not just for its sharp writing or inventive legal storytelling, but for the character at its center. Julianna Margulies' nuanced performance as Alicia Florrick helped redefine what a network TV protagonist could be, playing a complex woman whose evolution was constantly surprising yet authentic.