UPDATE: 2025/04/10 22:22 EST BY ABDULLAH AL-GHAMDI

DaCosta's quote to TV Insider has been updated.

The original article has been updated, reflecting that DaCosta said Andrea's exit was not explained to the audience.

The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 was officially renewed by Netflix, considering its status as one of the streamer's most popular shows. But it was a little surprising when it was confirmed that DaCosta would not be reprising her role as prosecutor Andrea Freeman. This is said to be because Andrea does not appear in The Law of Innocence, the Michael Connelly novel on which season 4 is based.

Ahead of her Lifetime movie Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story, which premieres on April 12 at 8 PM ET, DaCosta spoke to TV Insider about Andrea's absence from season 4. The Chicago Med star says Andrea's absence was not expected or explained to the audience. Still, in the quote below, DaCosta explains she is focused on her future projects and leaves the door open to potentially coming back as Andrea down the line:

“Andrea’s absence was not expected or explained to the audience. Sometimes when things like this happen, the writers will give an explanation in a conversation between two characters who are on the show. Or someone will make a phone call and pretend the disappeared character is on the other end. Who knows what they’ll do? I’m just focusing on the now and future. My satisfaction is irrelevant. I have faith in the ultimate divine plan for my career and for my life.”

What DaCosta's Comments Reveal About Andrea

She Was Set Up For A Bigger Role

Even though she was originally introduced as an adversary for Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) in season 2, they came to respect each other greatly. The third installment even teased the possibility that there could be something romantic between the former rivals, but the show doesn't fully go there. However, in what is their final scene together, for now at least, Andrea and Mickey each other. She's last seen standing up for herself at work and walking away with a smile, pointing to a larger arc.

Co-showrunner and executive producer Ted Humphrey has said that he would be open to bringing back Andrea for future seasons. After the Lincoln Lawyer season 3 finale, however, Mickey will be focused on fighting for his innocence. That will see Mickey's ex, Maggie, having a bigger role since Neve Campbell will be appearing in a main cast member capacity.

Our Take On DaCosta's Exit

There's No Harm In Moving Away From The Source Material

To explain the relatively frequent shifts in The Lincoln Lawyer cast, producers have tended to favor saying that they are simply following the books. This reason is similarly used as a justification for why Maggie isn't a frequent on-screen presence. There's no harm, though, and actually quite a bit of benefit, from deviating from the source material when the performer is talented and the chemistry between actors is undeniable.

The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 is currently filming and does not have a known release date just yet. It could be the case that Andrea gets a mention that keeps her character in play. It would be nice to see, plus a reassuring sign, that Mickey's recent friend may be temporarily unseen albeit will ultimately reemerge in better circumstances.

Source: TV Insider