Damages
Seen it?2007 | 5 seasons | Mystery, Drama, Crime
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 3 Emmys and it was critically acclaimed. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved How to Get Away with Murder or The Lincoln Lawyer, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense and unsettling, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- 5 seasons: a few months of evenings.
- What might put you off
- Rated TV-MA: expect violence.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Damages is an American legal thriller television series created by the writing and production trio of Daniel Zelman and brothers Glenn and Todd A. Kessler. The plot revolves around the brilliant, ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes and her protégée, recent law school graduate Ellen Parsons. Each season features a major case that Hewes and her firm take on, while also examining a chapter of the complicated relationship between Ellen and Patty. The first two seasons center around the law firm Hewes & Associates. Later seasons center more on Patty and Ellen's relationship as Ellen begins to distance herself from Hewes & Associates and begins an independent career.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
Critically acclaimed
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress – Television Series Drama. Also nominated for 6 more Emmys, 3 more Golden Globes and 1 SAG Award. Plus 8 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 5 seasons and reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 233K people sought it out in the past year
Season by season
The show overall is a Saturday Special. Here's how each season stacks up; Season 2 is the high point.
- Season 12007 · 13 episodes · 7.9 out of 10Saturday
- Season 22009 · 13 episodes · 8.0 out of 10Saturday
Season 32010 · 13 episodes · 7.3 out of 10Sunday
Season 42011 · 10 episodes · 6.8 out of 10Weeknight- Season 52012 · 10 episodes · 7.7 out of 10Saturday
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Created by Allen Coulter, Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler
- Glenn ClosePatty Hewes
- Rose ByrneEllen Parsons
- Ryan PhillippeChanning McClaren