Our Fairly Legal week continues with the profile of new character, Ben Grogan. If you missed it, please check out the profile of Michael Trucco’s Justin Patrick, including how he will interact with Ben. And, of course, stop by and enter to win our Fairly Legal Coffee Collection giveaway!
When Fairly Legal returns this Friday, it comes back with a few changes from the first season. The most obvious change is the addition of new series regular, Ryan Johnson, as a new lawyer, Ben Grogan.
The introduction of Ben brings a fresh perspective of law to the firm. He will interact not only with Kate, Lauren and Leo at the office, but Justin as well. Ben is quick witted and full of fun banter. His character will stir things up, but in an enjoyable manner. Even though, he will drive the other characters crazy at times, he does it in such an alluring way that it is difficult to not like him. You will cringe at some of his beliefs, but his charm will make you smile at the same time.
Ben initially meets Kate outside of work at a bar, which sets up a fun work related meeting. Ryan Johnson explains Ben’s initial reaction to Kate, “I think he’s a little intrigued by this woman, uh, little bit excited by her. He sees as kind of a worthy adversary because often, I get the impression that Ben’s the kind of guy that can work his way into a lady’s pants a little easier than some. But then, ah, when he meets Kate she shuts him down immediately. And so I think he, he’s interested in her and she’s really smart and she’s a lawyer, and there’s just something about her that’s interesting and different.”
Ben brings a new energy to the firm, but at the same time his differing moral code will create conflict. Anton Cropper, the production director for the show, sees Ben “as really fun. He’s a very charismatic, outgoing … much like Kate, Ben gets what he wants, knows how to get it, knows how to win, but unlike Kate his means of going for it, and his morals are very different.”
A conflict will exist between Ben and Lauren, as well, Virginia Williams (Lauren) said, “… there is a great repartee between the two of them, and Lauren is always very focused on justice, and doing the right thing, and being by the letter of the law. And Ben, I think deep down of course he’s got a little heart of gold maybe. But, to the outside world, would [say], ‘Oh, who cares about the right thing? Do it for the money.’ and it’s kind of funny.”
With Ben comes more than just conflict, as Sarah Shahi explains, “… he’s very quickly become you know a thorn in everyone’s side, but with his character comes more comedy, which is always nice. And he is going to spark, you know, something in Kate.”
And, with this “spark” is the possibility of a love triangle. Shahi said, “… what’s so great about his character is he’s definitely coloring Kate’s heart in a different way. Kind of unbeknownst to herself in the beginning. And you know, he’s definitely coming in and he’s stirring everything up, which is just changing everyone’s emotions. So it’s nice. There’s a lot of payoffs that comes with his character.”
Are you intrigued by the addition of Ben? He will shake things up right away in the premiere.
Ryan Johnson is on twitter at @RyanJohnsonofoz. Follow him for updates from the set and tweets during this season’s episodes.
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Mar 14, 2012 @ 11:07 EST5EDT
