In this post, we compare the storyline, cast, performances, ratings, and reception of The Good Wife vs The Trial to see how well the remake stands up to the original.
Legal dramas have a universal appeal because they combine courtroom suspense with human emotions. One such classic is the American TV series The Good Wife (2009–2016), a critically acclaimed show about a woman who rebuilds her career after her husband’s scandal. Its Indian adaptation, The Trial (2023, Disney+ Hotstar), starring Kajol, brings this intense narrative into the Indian context.
Story Synopsis
The Good Wife (2009–2016, CBS – USA)
The series follows Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), the wife of a disgraced state attorney caught in a corruption and sex scandal. Forced to step back into the workforce after years of being a homemaker, Alicia joins a top law firm. Balancing her career, family, and public image, Alicia evolves into a powerful lawyer and independent woman. The show ran for 7 seasons and won multiple Emmy Awards.
The Trial: Pyaar, Kanoon, Dhokha (2023, India)
The Indian adaptation casts Kajol as Noyonika Sengupta, who faces a similar situation when her husband, a respected judge, is imprisoned after a scandal. She must return to law practice to support her family while battling societal judgment and her own emotional turmoil. Unlike the American version, The Trial compresses the narrative into a limited series format tailored for Indian streaming audiences.
The Good Wife — Telugu Version
- Good Wife (2025) is a Tamil-language adaptation of the American The Good Wife.
- It will stream in multiple Indian languages, including Telugu, along with Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi.
- The lead is Priyamani, with Sampath Raj as her husband. The show is directed by Revathi.
- The release date is 4 July 2025 on JioHotstar.
Comparison Table: The Good Wife vs The Trial vs Good Wife
| Feature | The Good Wife (Original – USA) | The Trial (Remake – Hindi) | Good Wife (Remake – Tamil/Telugu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of Release | 2009–2016 | 2023 | 2025 |
| Language | English | Hindi | Tamil, Telugu (dubbed in Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi) |
| Format | 7 Seasons (CBS TV) | Limited Series (Hotstar) | Limited Series (JioHotstar) |
| Lead Actress | Julianna Margulies (as Alicia Florrick) | Kajol (as Noyonika Sengupta) | Priyamani (as Vijayalakshmi / local adaptation) |
| Lead Actor | Chris Noth (as Peter Florrick) | Jisshu Sengupta (as Rajeev Sengupta) | Sampath Raj (as her husband) |
| Supporting Cast | Josh Charles, Christine Baranski, Archie Panjabi | Sheeba Chaddha, Alyy Khan, Kubbra Sait | Indhuja Ravichandran, Sriram Reddy, others |
| Production Budget | High-budget US network drama | Premium Indian OTT series | Premium regional OTT series |
| Worldwide Reception | Globally acclaimed, Emmy-winning | Mixed reviews, Kajol praised | Awaiting release (July 2025), high expectations |
| IMDb Rating | 8.3/10 | 5.3/10 | TBA |
| Google Audience Score | 91% | 68% | TBA |
| Awards / Achievements | Emmy Awards, Golden Globes | Kajol’s OTT debut | Priyamani’s comeback to OTT; directed by Revathi |
Performances & Adaptation
- Julianna Margulies vs Kajol – Julianna’s Alicia Florrick is subtle yet powerful, winning multiple awards. Kajol brings emotional depth and intensity, marking her strong OTT debut.
- Story Adjustments – While The Good Wife unfolds over 7 seasons with layered subplots, The Trial condenses events into an Indian cultural and legal framework.
- Audience Reception – The Good Wife is a modern TV classic, while The Trial received mixed reviews, appreciated for its premise but criticized for pacing.
Box Office & Reception
- The Good Wife was a global success, running for 7 seasons with over 150 episodes, earning a loyal following and industry recognition.
- The Trial did not have box office figures (being an OTT release) but garnered buzz for Kajol’s digital debut, though critics found it lacking in comparison to the original.
Conclusion
Both shows explore a woman’s resilience and transformation amid betrayal and legal battles. The Good Wife remains the gold standard of courtroom dramas, while The Trial is an ambitious Indian attempt that delivers strong performances but struggles to match the original’s layered storytelling.
What’s New in The Trial Season 2
- The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha Season 2 premieres 19 September 2025 on JioHotstar and OTTplay Premium.
- Kajol returns as Noyonika Sengupta, a season older, wiser, and more battle-ready.
- Season 2 is directed by Umesh Bist.
- New faces added to the cast: Sonali Kulkarni as Narayani Dhole (Rajiv’s political rival), Karanvir Sharma as Param Munjal, along with familiar names Alyy Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, and others.
- The plot deepens: Noyonika handles more complex and high-profile legal cases. Political rivalry, family betrayal, power dynamics — all ratcheted up.
- Episode 1 drops at midnight (00:00 hrs). All episodes released together; each about ~40-45 min long.
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