I started writing detective fiction a long time ago. A long time. My original inspirations were the classics, like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Ellery Queen, in which all the information needed to solve the crime was provided to the reader. Eventually, though, I discovered more modern forms of detective fiction, in which it was more about the private eyes and their response to the world around them. The ones I enjoy are first person narratives with witty, usually sarcastic gumshoes who have a slightly dark view of human nature. Chief among those are obviously from Robert B. Parker, who created Spenser, Jesse Stone, and Sunny Randall. But I also read and appreciated others in the genre, like Gregory McDonald’s Fletch, Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta, Kathy Reichs’ Temperance “Bones” Brennan, and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. I have also worked my way through several of the original masters of the detective genre: Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Agatha Christie.

One character I found entertaining who didn’t really fit in the genre in my mind was the lawyer Perry Mason. I never actually read any of the books, but enjoyed the series starring Raymond Burr. He didn’t do the investigating, leaving that to Paul Drake. So, though the story was predominantly about the court case, it was still detective fiction adjacent and employed most of the same themes and tropes one would expect from this style of writing.

Because of this, I was intrigued to hear of the HBO series entitled Perry Mason. It didn’t hurt that it starred Matthew Rhys, whom I thoroughly enjoyed in The Americans. I did a little research on it and was at first confused. The initial review I read was, to be frank, misleading, implying the character was simply named Perry Mason and wasn’t connected to the famed lawyer. But it was a noir piece set in 1930s Los Angeles. So I decided to watch it anyway. And I was glad I did, despite some definite reservations, like extremely strong language that didn’t really add to the story and some really graphic violence. I never knew until this show just how much I didn’t need to see what a guy’s head looks like after he puts a shotgun under his chin and pulls the trigger. But even with all that, I really liked this show and am excited to see the next season. And let me make it clear–this is the lawyer Perry Mason. It’s just his origin story.

Unlike the classic Perry Mason, which told one story per episode, the entire season is one case, something I greatly appreciate. The characters are much more fleshed out, as is the storyline, in which Rhys’ Mason is working for defense attorney E. B. Jonathan, portrayed with joyful bombast by the incomparable John Lithgow, to investigate the kidnapping and murder of a baby, a crime of which first the father and then the mother is accused. At first, Mason, a degenerate alcoholic and cynic who has lost his family and is in process of losing his family farm but still has a strong moral compass, believes the mother is guilty. But as time goes on, it becomes clearer and clearer to him that this crime was perpetrated by someone else and the child’s mother is the victim of a dark, grisly conspiracy perpetrated by powerful people. And he’ll do anything to prove it. Anything. Rhys is simply amazing in this role. Though, honestly, I would watch him read the phone book. He’s just magnetic.

A truly fun element for fans of the original is how the characters from the TV and book series almost all appear, though not always in the exact same form. Della Street, Mason’s stalwart secretary, plays a key role as Jonathan’s secretary, though it’s really more accurate to say she is, for all meaningful purposes, running his legal practice. Juliette Rylance is superb in the role of a brilliant, passionate woman who is constantly fighting against the limitations placed on her by a society that doesn’t allow for brilliant women. Chris Chalk is powerful as an African American police officer who is also battling against limitations. He’s smarter, better, and more talented than the detectives above him, but he’ll never be more than a beat cop because of his race. Finally, Justin Kirk is understated but strong as assistant district attorney Hamilton Burger, with whom Attorney Mason did battle regularly in the original storyline. He isn’t the big boss in this world, but considering the spectacular nature of the DA’s meltdown during the season finale, that doesn’t seem likely to continue.

So, if you have a taste for noir detective fiction and a strong stomach for language and graphic violence, you will love this series. Rhys is terrific, as are all the other actors. And the show is just visually arresting. Filmed in muted color, it has an almost sepia feel to it, and the sets and costumes are simply perfect. I recommend it. Don’t sign up for HBO Max just for this, but if you already subscribe, this is a good watch.