Spoilers forThe Lincoln Lawyerseason 1 ahead.
Christopher Gorham plays Trevor Elliot inThe Lincoln Lawyer, but the actor has plenty of other movies and TV shows fans may recognize him from. WithThe Lincoln Lawyercoming back for season 4, it’s as good a time as any to return to the series for a rewatch. Season 1, back in 2022, introduced the titular lawyer, Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and his case for the season, that of Trevor Elliott, a billionaire video game developer suspected of a double murder. It’s a messy case where Haller finds himself defending the unpleasant man.
Atthe end of season 1 ofThe Lincoln Lawyer, Trevor is acquitted, but it’s made perfectly clear that he was indeed behind the double murder, a fact he taunts Haller with. However, Trevor does get his just deserts in episode 10, when someone hurt by his actions gets her well-deserved revenge. It’s a fantastic performance by Christopher Gorham, an actor who has been working since the 1990s, primarily in television.Viewers will probably recognize Gorham from some of his other notable television performances, and perhaps even some movie ones.
While the filmThe Lincoln Lawyeris responsible for kickstarting the McConaissance, the TV show has become the more memorable adaptation of Michael Connelly’s best-selling book series. The series follows Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a criminal defense attorney and recovering addict who works out of the trunk of his chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator. Season 1 sees him taking on a double murder case on the side of the defense, represented by Trevor Elliott, a wealthy video game designer who is accused of killing his wife and his lover.
Does The Lincoln Lawyer TV Show Connect to the Movie?
Does The Lincoln Lawyer movie and TV show connect in any way aside from the titles?
It’s a sinister and charming role for Gorham, who is delightfully wicked as Elliott. He plays the character with an oozing cruelty that ensures no one is on his side even when the not-guilty verdict is announced.Gorham’s performance helps to hide the real intentions and feelings of the character, making the back part of the season all the more surprising.
One of Christopher Gorham’s most memorableroles came inUgly Bettyas the likableHenry Grubstick, an accountant with a crush on Betty (America Ferrera).Ugly Bettystars the titular Betty who, despite her lack of style and slight naïveté, lands a job at a prestigious fashion magazine in Manhattan. There she encounters other employees, some of whom she develops rivalries with and others she makes lifelong friendships with. One of these friends is Henry, and the pair develop an attraction.
Christopher Gorham’s Notable TV And Movie Roles
2022
2006-2010
2010-2014
2018-2019
1999-2001
2020
Henry Dunn
2009
Timing is never on their side, however, and they are often dating someone else while the other is single. They do date for a little while but eventually realize they are two different and commit to just being friends. Gorham plays the awkward, but loveable Henry perfectly, and anyone who has ever been a little too passive in a relationship will recognize the character for his flaws and virtues.
InCovert Affairs, a young CIA trainee named Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) is sent to her new job at the Domestic Protection Division to work as an undercover agent, first acting as an Acquisitions agent at the Smithsonian Museum before eventually taking on the role of a glamorous importer/exporter of rare and expensive goods. Her mentor while she’s undercover is August “Auggie” Anderson, a CIA military intelligence officer who served in Special Operations in Iraq before being blinded on a mission.
It’s an effective performance from Gorham across all five seasons andhis portrayal of a vision-impaired individual is nuanced and real, rather than obnoxious or off-putting. Perabo is certainly the star ofCovert Affairs, but some of the best scenes of the show happen when Auggie is on-screen, and that’s thanks to Gorham’s charisma and presence.
Insatiableis a Netflix series set in the fictional town of Masonville, Georgia where a teenager, Patty Bladell (Debby Ryan), is assaulted by a homeless man after attacking him and subsequently loses over 70 pounds after having her jaw wired shut. Taunted by schoolmates and the town alike for her weight, the new Patty decides to take revenge on everyone who she thinks has hurt her in the past. Christopher Gorham plays Bob Barnard, a main character who has secret feelings for his former friend, and Patty’s lawyer, Bob Armstrong (Dallas Roberts).
Insatiableis an incredibly dark comedy that frequently borders on mean, and it’s tough to say if the show understands that it’s a satire with how infrequently the social commentary and jokes land. However, the cast isn’t a problem, and Gorham in particular, is excellent as the buttoned-up Bob Barnard, who can’t help but let his real self show.
Popularis a teen comedy-drama from 1999 and was one ofthe first Ryan Murphy productions. Starring Leslie Bibb as Brooke McQueen and Carly Pope as Sam McPherson, two polar opposite high school students who find themselves forced together when their parents become engaged. Christopher Gorham plays Harrison John, an awkward but sweet student who has a crush on Brooke. When she doesn’t reciprocate at first, Harrison starts to fall for Sam, only for Brooke to develop feelings for him as well.
It’s an early role for Gorham, but already, he shows the natural talent and ability to grab the screen that would serve him well throughout his career.
In season 2, Harrison nearly dies from leukemia but survives until the end of the show, where he finally chooses which girl he wants to date, a decision left unanswered as the show was canceled suddenly. It’s an early role for Gorham, but already, he shows the natural talent and ability to grab the screen that would serve him well throughout his career.
One Night in Miami…is a fictionalized retelling of the reported meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke at the historic Hampton House in Miami after Ali’s victory over Sonny Liston. Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as Malcolm X, Eli Goree as Cassius Clay, Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown, and Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke. Christopher Gorham has a small but memorable role as Johnny Carson, the late-night TV show host.
The meeting between these four iconic Black Americans actually did occur though what was said has never been revealed.
It’s only for one scene, but Gorham does bear a remarkable resemblance to the TV show host, and he does an impressive impression of the man as well. Impersonations can be tricky and often risk falling into parody, but Gorham manages to accurately render the late host on screen without it feeling too forced or obvious. It’s a strong moment in the movie, delivered by a veteran talent.
Harper’s Islandis a one-season limited horror series that was supposed to be an anthology but was canceled after the first season. The show has grown in estimation over the years and now feels ahead of its time withAmerican Horror Storyand Mike Flanagan’s horror series being so popular. InHarper’s Island, Abby Mills (Elaine Cassidy) returns to her home on the titular island after years away. She is back for the wedding of her best friend, Henry Dunn (Christopher Gorham).
The island was rocked years before when a serial killer slashed his way through the island, and now, on the eve of the celebrations, people begin turning up murdered once again, and everyone is a suspect. Henry has a lot of secrets in the miniseries, andGorham plays him with a repressed rage and mystery that doesn’t clue the viewer into exactly what’s going on with him, just that there clearly is something troubling him. It’s an unnerving performance that rewards rewatches.
Christopher Gorham’s Other Notable Roles
Gorham Has Primarily Worked In Television
For the most part,Christopher Gorham’s work has come in television, and he has had notable arcs in shows likeFelicityas Trevor O’Donnell,Odyssey 5as Neil Taggart,Jake 2.0as Jake Foley,Medical Investigationas Dr. Miles McCabe, andOut of Practiceas Benjamin Barnes. He also had small roles in notable shows, likeModern Familyas Brad,Once Upon a Timeas Walsh The Wizard of Oz, andBuffy the Vampire Slayeras James Stanley.
He has had a few more notable movie roles as well, including inA Boy Called Poas David Wilson,Somebody’s Heroas Dennis Sullivan, andThe Ledgeas Chris. Gorham also famously voices Barry Allen/The Flash in several of the direct-to-video animated DC movies. Christopher Gorham has made an impressive career for himself, one filled with a variety of characters from the sweet Henry Grubstick to the conniving Trevor Elliott inThe Lincoln Lawyer.
