The Trials of Rosie O'Neill

Rosie O'Neill is a Los Angeles public defender who handles tough cases while her personal life falls apart. Each episode begins with Rosie speaking with an unseen therapist, giving a window into her state of mind as she copes with a painful divorce after her husband cheats and takes most of their life together. The show follows her work at the citys public defender office and her relationships with colleagues Ben Meyer and Hank Mitchell, as well as Kim Ginty, a young investigator. Despite smart writing and a strong cast, the series failed to attract a large audience and CBS canceled it after two seasons. The show also balances courtroom drama with personal arcs that hint at Rosie's unresolved past.

Created by Barney Rosenzweig, Joe Cacaci and Beth Sullivan, The Trials of Rosie O'Neill aired on CBS from 1990 to 1992. It was an original drama focused on Rosie's public defender work in Los Angeles.

Though it never became a lasting pop culture touchstone, the series is notable for bringing Sharon Gless back to regular series television after Cagney and Lacey and for deepening the LA public defender angle. Season 2 added Ed Asner as Kovac, a retired cop who helps Rosie on investigations.

Critics praised the writing and performances, but the show struggled to attract a sizable audience and was canceled after two seasons. Core themes include professional duty versus personal turmoil, the ethics of public defense, and resilience in the face of divorce and loss.