NBC's revival of the classic '80s sitcom Night Courthas kept audiences in stitches throughout its first two seasons, and the reboot has completed Season 3. Led by The Big Bang Theory's Melissa Rauch, the revived Night Court follows Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of original series lead Harry Stone (Harry Anderson), who presides over the Manhattan Criminal Court's night shift. Like its predecessor, Night Court leans heavily on the zany humor that is derived from its open-ended premise, and nearly every episode features a new and memorable guest character.

The first season of Night Court garnered generally positive reviews from critics, who pointed out that the revival did enough to separate itself from the original (via Rotten Tomatoes). Regardless of the reviews, NBC clearly had a hit on their hands and wasted no time in renewing the burgeoning sitcom for a second season. However, the Hollywood strikes of 2023 put a damper on Night Court's fall 2023 return, and the series instead came back in early 2024. Even so, Night Court continued to draw an audience in Season 3.

Night Court Season 3 Critical Reception

Night Court Season 3 Received Mixed Reviews

Though Season 3 of Night Court sees some fun cameos and callbacks to the original series, the season has received mixed reviews overall. With its zany hijinks and comedic court cases, the revival series certainly emulates the tone of the original show. Gazettely calls the courtroom of the revival series "a theater for subtle storytelling and unexpected humor," and heaps plenty of praise on the series, in particular on Rauch's Abby Stone, who does more than simply stand in her father's shoes.

In contrast, Screen Rant's own take on the show sees Rauch's Abby as the potential weak link in the new series. Abby has not undergone nearly as much character development as the other series regulars so far, becoming more indecisive as the series has continued. While Abby's indecision and timidity at the start of the series make sense after a big move and the loss of her father, Abby coming into her own should be the arc where the series is heading:

It’s unrealistic to expect any sitcom character never to have doubts or problems, but Abby is timid to such an extreme degree that it makes her unconvincing as a judge. Abby feels like two entirely different characters in and out of the courtroom.

Unfortunately for Night Court Season 3, it seems like viewers might be siding with the more critical takes on the season. Season 3 has seen a sharp decline in viewership, with more than a 30% drop in ratings (via TV Series Finale).

Where To Watch Night Court Season 3

Night Court Is Available To Stream

Night Court Season 3 is available to stream for the fans who might have missed live airings of the season. In addition to being available to purchase from digital retailers like AppleTV, it is also available to stream in its entirety through a Peacock subscription. Peacock is the home for all of the series that originally air on NBC, like Night Court.

Night Court season 3 concluded in May 2025.

Night Court Season 3 Cast

Judge Abby Stone Presides Once Again

The cast of Night Court Season 3 looks similar to the cast of the second season. Since she is an integral part of the show, Melissa Rauch returns as Judge Abby Stone in Season 3, and her usual cast of misfit friends and colleagues follow as well. The big change for Season 3 is the departure of India de Beaufort as Assistant DA Olvia Moore, who announced her exit from the show in May 2024. Replacing de Beaufort is Wendie Malick's Julianne Walters, Dan's ex-wife. Malick was upgraded from a guest star to a recurring character for Season 3.

Malick was upgraded from a guest star to a recurring character for Season 3.

The entire main cast for Night Court Season 3 includes:

Night Court Season 3 Story

More Courtroom Shenanigans

..the revelation that Dan might be Jake's father left fans scratching their heads at the end of Season 2, and Season 3 resolved that storyline only to throw other landmines into Abby's path...

Sitcoms aren't like other series in that they rarely tell overarching stories and instead rely on an episodic format that resets itself at the end of each episode. Night Court has been no different, though they have dropped a few teases about character development that have paid off rather quickly. Abby's love life on Night Court has especially been a strong focus.

In Night Court season 3, fans got to see the usual episodic late-night courtroom shenanigans that have made the reboot, and the original for that matter, so successful. However, the revelation that Dan might be Jake's father left fans scratching their heads at the end of Season 2, and Season 3 resolved that storyline only to throw other landmines into Abby's path to happiness with Jake.

Night Court Season 3 Ending Explained And Spoilers

Night Court Season 3 Ends On A Big Cliffhanger

Because Night Court is more episodic in nature than a drama would be, each episode's court cases stand on their own. The Night Court Season 3 finale, however, sees Abby's own life reflect that of the case she is presented with. Abby finds two teenagers (one of whom is played by Young Sheldon's Raegan Revord) with fake IDs in her courtroom who refuse to give their real names so their parents can be ed. As it turns out, they want to get married, and Abby seeks to keep them from making the biggest mistake of their lives.

Abby's commitment to keeping the teenagers from getting married is revealed to be because of her own experiences in the final moments of the episode. Big Bang Theory's Simon Helberg guest stars in a surprise appearance as her husband - who walks into her office and kisses her just after Abby finds out that Jake is planning to propose to her.

How The Night Court Season 3 Finale Sets Up Season 4

Abby's Love Life Will Likely Be A Big Focus

As has been true for much of the Night Court revival so far, Abby's personal life will remain the thoroughline heading into Season 4. It makes sense for a show that relies on a lot of its comedy to come from its courtroom comedy to use the lead character's own life to provide the show with its consistent storylines.

With the reveal that Abby Stone is actually married already, and presumably not divorced since Simon Helberg's character still wears his ring, that reveal will be a huge part of Night Court Season 4 if the series is renewed. Jake and Abby's relationship will see yet another setback since she cannot marry him while she is still married to someone else. The series is on the bubble for NBC, but a huge cliffhanger like that could certainly pique the interest of audience who might have lost interest earlier in Night Court Season 3.