Series Overview and Broadcast History
The Good Wife is a legal and political drama that aired on CBS from September 22, 2009, to May 8, 2016, spanning seven seasons and 156 episodes. The series was created by Robert King and Michelle King and produced by King Size Productions and Scott Free Productions in association with CBS Television Studios. It follows Alicia Florrick, portrayed by Julianna Margulies, as she returns to legal practice after her husband Peter Florrick, played by Chris Noth, resigns as Illinois State's Attorney amid a public scandal. The show was a staple of CBS's primetime lineup and received critical acclaim for its writing, ensemble cast, and realistic depiction of legal and political strategy.
The series finale aired on May 8, 2016, concluding a run that consistently ranked among the top dramas on broadcast television. The Good Wife was renewed multiple times by CBS, with its seventh season serving as the final season. The show was filmed primarily in New York City, and its production involved CBS Studios alongside executive producers Robert King, Michelle King, Ridley Scott, and David W. Zucker. The series has since been made available on streaming platforms, allowing new audiences to access the full library of episodes.
Main Cast, Characters, and Key Storylines
The core cast includes Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, Josh Charles as her brother-in-law and frequent ally Will Gardner, Christine Baranski as the sharp-witted Diane Lockhart, and Zach Grenier as the pragmatic firm partner Eli Gold. Other central figures include Matt Czuchry as Cary Agos, Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma, and Alan Cumming as Eli Gold. The series explores complex storylines involving high-stakes litigation, political machinations, and ethical dilemmas within a Chicago law firm.
Key story arcs include Alicia's evolution from a supportive spouse to a formidable litigator, the firm's internal power struggles, and the intersection of legal work with Peter Florrick's political career. The show addresses issues such as class action lawsuits, corporate governance, data privacy, and government surveillance. The Good Wife also spawned the spin-off series The Good Fight, which continues the story of Diane Lockhart and introduces new characters while maintaining connections to the original series.
Streaming Availability and Where to Watch
As of the latest available information, The Good Wife is available for streaming on Paramount+ and can be purchased or rented through digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. CBS has made the series accessible through its streaming ecosystem, aligning with its broader strategy to monetize its library on Paramount+. Availability may vary by region, and some platforms may offer the series with ads or require a subscription tier.
Viewers can also find The Good Wife on physical media, including DVD and Blu-ray box sets for each season. The series has been cataloged by major digital retailers and is frequently listed among popular legal dramas on streaming recommendation engines. For the most current catalog details, users can check the official Paramount+ website or the streaming section of the CBS website.