Cupertino Draws on Silicon Valley and Earns Perfect Critics Score

CBS launched Cupertino, a legal drama about two Silicon Valley attorneys challenging powerful technology companies, on October 8, 2026. Created by Robert and Michelle King, the series stars Mike Colter and Rachel Keller as lawyers who lose their corporate positions and establish an independent firm representing people harmed by the technology industry. Its debut also earned a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 22 critics.

The series arrives amid high-profile legal disputes involving major technology companies, including Meta, TikTok, Google and Snap. Although Cupertino does not adapt any specific company or lawsuit, its creators draw inspiration from the broader relationship between corporate influence, technology and the law, according to an interview published by Yahoo on October 10.

Robert King said the growing influence of technology made the subject particularly relevant to a legal drama.

"We've always been fascinated with tech and the impact it's having on law and culture. Obviously, that's become even more pervasive. It felt to us like there was a natural story about people who are looking at what's going on around them and how much it's changing who they are.

There's a certain lawlessness that comes with the kind of gold-rush mentality Silicon Valley has." Robert King said.

The creators developed the series around legal battles between individuals and corporations with substantially greater resources. Michelle King described that conflict as a central reason for choosing the legal drama format.

"We love legal shows, and it seemed like a perfect arena in which to tell this David-versus-Goliath story. As we say on the show, there's no one defending the people being stomped on." Michelle King said.

Early episodes address artificial intelligence, industry whistleblowers and a technology mogul's ex-wife who uses her wealth in ways that could undermine her former husband. Busy Philipps plays the ex-wife, while the broader storyline remains fictional rather than a direct account of real people or events.

Michelle King explained that the writers incorporate contemporary concerns without attempting to reproduce individual news stories.

"We don't want to block out the news. We're sucking it up, and the show becomes a bit like therapy, a way to deal with your own sense of what's real and what isn't in a world where the culture and law get twisted up with all of the money being thrown around." Michelle King said.

The series prioritizes character development over detailed recreations of actual technology disputes. Robert King said the creators wanted the fictional cases to support a character-driven story rather than compete with news coverage.

"We wanted to keep it character focused. We don't want to get lost in the issues; you can turn to the newspaper for that." Robert King said.

Michelle King also explained that recognizable real-world archetypes can influence fictional characters without determining their final personalities. She cited Philipps's performance as an example of how an actor can shape the writing.

"There are archetypes," Michelle King said.

She said casting and performance help transform initial character concepts into distinct fictional personalities rather than direct representations of identifiable public figures.

"Take Busy Phillips, she's so spectacular and that feels what you're writing. From the outside, it can feel like maybe there are real people informing the characters, but the more decisions you make for a character, the more they just become themselves." Michelle King said.

Robert King said the public visibility of wealthy technology leaders also provides material for the show's fictional corporate figures.

"They've made themselves more accessible than any moguls in history. There's so much you can watch about these people. I wouldn't say that we're copying anyone, but we're inspired by people who've been given all the money in the world and think they're invulnerable to the law." Robert King said.

Michelle King expressed personal concern about technology's reach, reflecting the skepticism that informs the series' themes.

"I was always a little bit ready, to put a sticker over my camera." Michelle King said.

Critics also responded positively to the show's combination of courtroom proceedings, social commentary and character-driven storytelling. USA Today's Kelly Lawler highlighted its procedural structure and examination of broader social questions.

"The Kings have spun a story that has the procedural drama and addictiveness of weekly courtroom battles and fast-talking lawyers in expensive suits mixed with genuinely thoughtful discussions and questions." Kelly Lawler wrote.

IGN's Tara Bennett also praised the series' potential as another successful drama from its creators.

"Cupertino has all the elements to become another Robert and Michelle King must-watch drama." Tara Bennett said.

Decider's Joel Keller emphasized the show's combination of individual cases, social commentary, character chemistry and humor.

"Cupertino continues the Kings' tradition of combining interesting procedural cases with social commentary, good character chemistry and a well-honed sense of humor." Joel Keller said.

CBR critic Joshua M. Patton awarded the series a 9/10, highlighting its weekly courtroom resolutions and longer-term character development.

"Gives viewers the simple satisfaction of seeing a case 'solved' each week. Yet what makes the series worth sticking with for an entire season are its characters." Joshua M. Patton wrote.

According to CBR's October 9 report, the 100% Rotten Tomatoes score reflected reviews from 22 critics after the premiere episode. The rating could change as additional reviews arrive during the season.

Cupertino airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on CBS, following a schedule adjustment that moves Elsbeth into an earlier Thursday slot. Matlock, another CBS legal drama starring Kathy Bates, is scheduled to return in midseason 2027 at the request of its creator, Jennie Snyder Urman. New Cupertino episodes stream on Paramount+ the day after their broadcast.