Benched

• Eliza Coupe as Nina Whitley, a career-driven corporate attorney who has a nervous breakdown and becomes a public defender for Los Angeles County[1]
• Jay Harrington as Phil Quinlan, Nina's colleague[1]
• Oscar Nunez as Carlos, Nina's colleague[6]
• Jolene Purdy as Micah, an intern in the Public Defender's Office[7]
• Carter MacIntyre as Trent Barber, Nina's former fiancé and professional nemesis[8]

On May 17, 2012, the American cable television network USA ordered a pilot presentation directed by Michael Fresco, from the script by Watkins and Jones. Eliza Coupe signed on to star in the lead role of the series, produced by John Enbom, Mark Gordon and Andrea Shay.[10] On January 24, 2014, a 12-episode first season was ordered, with Jay Harrington joining the series.[11]

Casting announcements on the remaining series regular roles began in the following February, with Oscar Nunez cast in the series regular role of Carlos, a public defender and new colleague of Nina's.[6] Shortly afterwards, Jolene Purdy was cast in the series regular role of Micah, an intern in the Public Defender's Office.[7] Carter MacIntyre was the last actor to join in the series regular role of Trent, Nina's former fiancée and professional nemesis.[8]

Benched received positive reviews from television critics and holds a score of 63/100 on Metacritic.[5] It also holds a 67% fresh ratings on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes with the site consensus stating, "Benched's talented ensemble raises the show above its trite writing, resulting in a nicely diverting half-hour of comedy."[22][23] Alexa Planje of The A.V. Club gave the series the most praise saying, "From the writing, to the cast, to impactful details like the spot-on styling and sets, Benched exudes confidence and commitment."[24] Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly lauded the series and Eliza Coupe's performance and said, "Benched is more lightweight [than Enlightened], but it's encouragingly funny thanks to Coupe, whose attempts at anger management showcase impeccable comic timing."[25] Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post also gave a positive review writing, "It's rare to come across a comedy that displays such admirable focus and delivers such smartly packaged slices of diverting escapism. More, please."[26] On the negative side Los Angeles Times wrote, "Benched is nowhere near as funny as it thinks it is, mainly because Watkins and Jones seem to believe that the endless humiliations of a thin, attractive, previously well-compensated blond woman are all it takes to make people laugh."[27]

• Official website
• Benched at IMDb