Jazz Raycole Talks About Second Chances

The Lincoln Lawyer was an immediate fan favorite when it premiered last year. It’s a hopeful tale in a world where justice often gets tangled up in a web of politics, power and money. In this show, everyone gets exactly what they deserve. There’s something uniquely special about the series, and a large part is the incredibly likable cast of characters.

Jazz Raycole is a standout in her portrayal of Izzy Letts, a client-turned-employee of Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a lawyer who runs his Los Angeles practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln. In the series, Izzy becomes Mickey’s driver and close confidante.

In a recent interview, I asked Raycole to describe season two. She paused briefly before answering. “It’s even more action-packed and sexy. There’s a lot of queen energy ruling the screen.” There’s another throughline. “Every single character has a second chance. Izzy gets tested a lot this season; in her love life, sobriety, and professionally.”

The ten-episode second season will be released in two five-episode parts. Part One premieres today, and Part Two will be released on August 3. This new season does not disappoint.

The series is based on the bestselling novels by Michael Connelly. In 2011, the first book in the Mickey Haller series was adapted into a movie starring Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillippe. David E. Kelley and Ted Humphrey created the series, and the cast includes Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, and Angus Sampson.

Because he felt many viewers would’ve likely seen the film already, Connelly and the team decided to start the first season of the television series with the second book in “The Lincoln Lawyer” series, “The Brass Verdict.” Connelly is very hands-on with the series serving as an executive producer and writer.

“We wanted to give them something new. In the second book, we find Mickey at a low point, and the book is really about him getting his mojo back,” said Connelly at the time. Season two is based on the fourth book in the series, “The Fifth Witness.”

The 10-episode first season became a fan favorite following its May 13, 2022 premiere. Within its first two weeks on Netflix, the show topped the English TV list with more than 108 million hours watched, making it the most-viewed title during its second week on the platform. In addition, the Manuel Garcia-Rulfo-helmed thriller made the Top 10 in 90 countries.

Though Raycole’s character is a fan favorite, Izzy wasn’t in the books. She describes the relationship between Izzy and her boss as one with brother-sister vibes. “They tell each other the truth and get each other on a different level.”

Mickey believes everyone deserves their day in court and takes on the underdog with a level of compassion this world can use a lot more of. Izzy was one such client. This season, we learn more about her backstory, and Raycole had some say in how her character was written.

With more than 45 acting credits, Raycole says this role is a career highlight. She did her homework in preparation and said Connelly’s books inspired her so much that she read the Lincoln Lawyer series twice. “I genuinely loved the books.”

She laughs when asked how Izzy came to be. “In the books, my character is this white surfer dude; clearly, I’m not a white surfer dude.” Connelly wrote various drivers for Mickey over the years, but it was decided that his driver would be a woman for the series.

“They were playing around with the idea of having a woman driver to bring a little more female energy to it, which I’m super grateful for,” Raycole explains. She tells me that Connelly loves Izzy so much he’s putting her into his next Lincoln Lawyer book, which could be released as soon as November. “That’s amazing! It’s huge for me!”

Even though Izzy wasn’t in the books, Raycole felt it necessary to read them. “I always find that the more information you have, the better. You also get to understand the tone of the series itself. Michael Connelly has a very specific writing style, and you get to feel that when reading the books.”

Like Izzy, she is also a dancer in real life. “We were trying to figure out how Izzy got an opioid addiction. I’ve had several injuries that have taken me out, and I can vouch for athletes getting hooked on opioids.” She clarifies that though she has never faced an opioid addiction, she understands how this can happen to anyone trying to heal and get back to work. “That can mean taking pain pills. So, that was something I pitched them very early on.”

Izzy, she continues, was originally scripted as “a sexy tomboy,” but that shifted over time. She suggested that Izzy be a part of the LGBTQ+ community. “They ran with that. I’m not a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but I think where we connect is the juxtaposition of finding out where you have been and going someplace else. I think, for me, in my personal life anyway, there was a huge transition a few years ago. You think you are going to be something, and then it changes. Izzy never imagined herself being a driver for a lawyer. She never imagined herself being hooked on drugs. One instance changes her life forever.”

She, too, experienced a life-changing event. “One instance changed my life forever: my brother’s death. It changes you. Certain things in life happen that change you. That’s where I relate to Izzy. Her addiction is similar to my mental health in the sense that it’s something that you’re never going to be able to get rid of. Addiction is something that stays with you forever. You’re going to have to fight and battle and struggle with it forever and treat it. That’s the same thing with mental health. You have to accept the ugly parts of life and yourself.”

The show holds onto its happy, feel-good vibe despite its serious storylines. Raycole attributes this to the incredible cast and crew. “I love going to work. We all genuinely like each other. I think viewers feel the camaraderie. It bleeds through the screen.”