Get ready for a fresh take on a classic legal drama. John Grisham’s hit novel, The Rainmaker, is hitting the small screen on USA Network, and it’s bringing some big changes with it. One of the most talked-about shifts involves the character of Bruiser, who was originally played by Mickey Rourke in the 1997 film. Now, actress Lana Parrilla steps into the role, and she’s brought a whole new energy to the seasoned lawyer.
Parrilla, who is 48, thinks making Bruiser a woman was a smart move. She recently shared her thoughts with Us Weekly, explaining why this gender swap makes the character even more powerful. In the novel, Bruiser is pretty dark and questionable. The movie version, with Mickey Rourke, appears early on but then sort of disappears, heading off to the Caribbean for a vacation.
Parrilla was excited to dig deeper into the part for the series. She feels her Bruiser is stronger because she navigates a world mostly run by men. This gives her an advantage, a unique edge. She has more to prove than the novel’s Bruiser, who was a bit more laid-back and involved in shady deals. The new show, which starts Friday, August 15, promises a much more dynamic Bruiser.
The story of The Rainmaker first came out as a novel in 1995. It follows Rudy (played by Milo Callaghan), a young lawyer who loses his job at a fancy firm. He then teams up with Bruiser (Parrilla) at her smaller, scrappier law office. Rudy eventually finds himself battling his old boss (John Slattery) in court. Francis Ford Coppola directed the movie version in 1997, which starred Rourke and Matt Damon.
Parrilla noted that in the TV series, Rudy has several guiding figures. Bruiser stands out because she offers tough love. She acts like a coach and mentor, pushing Rudy to think differently. Parrilla believes this fantastic connection with Rudy wouldn’t be the same if Bruiser were a man. It might just turn into a fight between two egos.
She continued, saying that Bruiser’s impact is much greater as a woman, both on Rudy and in the courtroom. This version of Bruiser is smart, brave, and tough. She has a lot of street smarts and a strong fighting spirit. Parrilla believes this makes her a much more engaging character. While all versions of Bruiser are good, Parrilla loves that this character can now be a woman.
When Parrilla took on the project, she looked to the original novel and movie for ideas. She felt Bruiser had a good grasp on things. She understood how to navigate the streets and how to spot trouble or untrustworthy people. Bruiser is a fighter, and lawyers excel at fighting for those who can’t defend themselves. Parrilla says she also has that fighting quality.
Parrilla felt a true connection with Bruiser. She told Us that out of all the roles she’s played, this one felt the most natural. Before her first audition, she didn’t watch the movie because everything moved very quickly. Once she landed the role, she fully immersed herself. She read the novel and watched the movie several times. At first, it was a very focused effort. Then, she dove into almost every legal drama ever made. She soaked up information about a world she’d never explored as an actress. It was fun to learn about that universe and watch shows she wouldn’t normally choose.
While she saw a lot of herself in this new Bruiser, one thing proved tricky for Parrilla: legal talk. She said, "Legal jargon probably is the biggest challenge for me." She never went to law school. She finds the medical field more interesting. Parrilla jokingly added that she’d probably make a better doctor than a lawyer. She’s not sure she’d hire herself as a lawyer because she’s too emotionally sensitive.
Parrilla concluded that seeing the world from Bruiser’s viewpoint was eye-opening. It showed her how crucial it is for regular people to understand their rights and stand up for themselves.
Don’t miss The Rainmaker when it premieres on USA Network this Friday, August 15, at 10 p.m. ET.