Lana Parrilla reimagines Bruiser in The Rainmaker with a bold, feminine edge inspired by classic sources
Lana Parrilla is bringing a fresh, no-nonsense spin to Bruiser in USA Network’s new legal drama The Rainmaker, airing Fridays at 10 pm. Portrayed as Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone, a fearless and scrappy litigator who leads a team of ambulance chasers operating out of a former taco restaurant, Parrilla’s take on the character leans into a gender-flipped energy that sets her apart from prior versions.
Parrilla has said the challenge was to make Bruiser feel both true to the spirit of the story and distinct in this adaptation. She found guidance in the original material, including the novel by John Grisham, and sought to translate those core traits into a portrayal that feels contemporary and dynamic for a TV audience. The result is a Bruiser who is tough, cunning, and unapologetically strategic in and out of the courtroom.
A surprising source of inspiration came from Bruiser’s fashion. Parrilla admires the way Mickey Rourke’s Bruiser dressed in the 1997 Coppola film, noting the bright colors, a flamboyant pocket handkerchief, and oversized collars. She decided Bruiser should dress in a way that signals edge and confidence—a look that’s a little disheveled, a touch provocative, and deliberately not polished like a traditional white-shoe attorney. Parrilla emphasizes that this feminine, seductive aspect is something she chose to highlight, using her character’s appearance to influence outcomes in ways the novel or film did not.
In the show, Bruiser’s charisma and wardrobe become tools as much as her legal acumen. The TV version diverges from the movie’s portrayal, balancing ruthlessness with a modern feminist energy, and giving Parrilla space to shape Bruiser through both performance and style.
The Rainmaker premieres new episodes every Friday at 10/9c on USA Network, with episodes arriving on Peacock a week after their network debut.
Summary: Parrilla’s Bruiser is a bold reinvention that blends Grisham-inspired character beats with a fashion-forward, gender-flipped lens, drawing heavily on both the source material and the 1997 film for cues while carving out a distinct, contemporary persona. The result is a gripping, stylish courtroom powerhouse that aims to captivate fans of legal dramas and Lana Parrilla alike.
If you’re rooting for a fresh take on a familiar archetype, The Rainmaker’s Bruiser promises an energized new chapter in the legal drama genre.