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So Help Me Todd – Cast, Cancellation and Streaming Guide

George James Carter Cooper • 2026-04-12 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

So Help Me Todd delivered two seasons of legal comedy-drama to CBS audiences before concluding its run in 2024. The series brought together Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin in a mother-son pairing that anchored a show centered on private investigation, courtroom drama, and family reconciliation. Following its cancellation after Season 2, viewers have sought clarity on cast details, streaming availability, and what the future holds for the program.

Created by Scott Prendergast, the show premiered on September 29, 2022, establishing its tone as a blend of procedural intrigue and character-driven comedy. Over its brief run, the series attracted notable guest performers while navigating industry disruptions that shaped its episode count and broadcast schedule.

So Help Me Todd Cast

The central performances defined much of the show’s identity. Marcia Gay Harden portrayed Margaret Wright, a sharp defense attorney who runs her own law firm and finds herself working alongside her unpredictable son. Skylar Astin took on the role of Todd Wright, a talented but aimless private investigator whose suspended license drives him back into his mother’s professional orbit as he works to regain his standing in the field.

Supporting cast members built out the world around the Wright family. Madeline Wise played Allison Wright, Todd’s sister, while Tristen J. Winger, Inga Schlingmann, and Rosa Evangelina Arredondo held down series regular roles throughout both seasons. Season 2 introduced additional characters, including Heather Morris as Judy Maxon, who became Todd’s love interest, and guest appearances from Sandra Bernhard, Lisa Rinna, Dean Winters, and Jenifer Lewis.

One notable casting change occurred before the series even aired. Geena Davis was originally slated to portray a character named Joan but exited the project prior to production. Marcia Gay Harden was brought on to replace her in March 2022, taking over the role that would eventually become Margaret Wright.

Original Pilot Casting

Geena Davis was attached to the project from its earliest stages but departed before filming began. The role was recast with Marcia Gay Harden, who shaped the character of Margaret Wright throughout both seasons.

Key Facts at a Glance

Fact Details
Seasons 2 (2022–2024)
Network CBS
Total Episodes 31
Creator Scott Prendergast
Status Ended
Genre Legal comedy-drama
  • Premiere aired September 29, 2022 on CBS
  • Skylar Astin and Marcia Gay Harden led the ensemble as son and mother
  • Season 2 brought 10 new episodes and introduced Heather Morris as a series regular
  • Industry strikes in 2023 reduced Season 2’s episode count significantly
  • The show concluded after two seasons with no further episodes ordered

Is So Help Me Todd Cancelled?

Yes. So Help Me Todd was cancelled following the completion of Season 2. CBS announced the decision in April 2024, officially ending the series after 31 episodes across two seasons. No Season 3 was ordered, and the network has not indicated any plans to revive the program.

The cancellation arrived after Season 2 concluded its run on May 16, 2024. The series had managed to air all of its episodes despite the disruptions caused by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, though the strike impact was evident in the reduced episode order for the second season.

Strike Impact on Production

Season 2 contained only 10 episodes compared to the 21 episodes that made up Season 1. This shortfall directly resulted from the Hollywood labor disputes that halted production for months during 2023.

For those wondering about the broader context of legal dramas featuring family dynamics, exploring Cast of Father Brown reveals another long-running series in the genre that has sustained multiple seasons through changing industry conditions.

So Help Me Todd Where to Watch

Viewers wanting to stream So Help Me Todd have a primary option through Paramount+. New episodes aired on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/PT before becoming available for streaming the following day on Paramount+. All Season 1 episodes remained accessible on the platform, making it the most complete repository for the series.

Live television access could be obtained through the CBS app or CBS.com for viewers with valid cable credentials. The official CBS website and its associated applications provided real-time viewing options for those who preferred linear broadcast.

As of current records, no confirmed streaming arrangements exist with Netflix for So Help Me Todd. The series has not appeared in Netflix’s catalog in any region where licensing information has been publicly documented. Similarly, no DVD release for either season has been officially announced or released by Paramount or CBS Studios.

Availability Limitations

Streaming rights and DVD distribution can vary by region and change over time. Paramount+ remains the only confirmed streaming home for the series. Viewers should check regional listings for the most current availability information.

So Help Me Todd Season 2 and Season 3

Season 1 launched on September 29, 2022, and ran through May 18, 2023, delivering 21 episodes that established the show’s premise and characters. Scott Prendergast’s creative vision centered on the dysfunctional but endearing relationship between Margaret and Todd, using legal cases as the framework for their reconciliation arc.

Season 2 premiered on February 15, 2024, at its regular 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot. The season premiere, titled “Iceland Was Horrible,” saw Margaret and Todd take on a case involving a live news murder investigation while Todd simultaneously launched his own private investigation business. The episode was written by Scott Prendergast himself and directed by Nancy Hower.

Due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Season 2 was limited to 10 episodes rather than the more typical 21-episode order. This abbreviated run concluded on May 16, 2024. The strike-related delays pushed production schedules and ultimately influenced the total number of episodes available to air.

Season 3 never entered development. The April 2024 cancellation announcement confirmed that the second season would be the show’s last. No discussions about the series continuing on another platform, such as a potential streaming revival, have surfaced in publicly available information.

The show’s executive producers included Earl Davis, Elizabeth Klaviter, and Michael Spiller. Nancy Hower directed the Season 2 premiere, while subsequent episodes credited Jamie Pachino and Nick Gomez as directors. Promotional efforts for Season 2 included a sneak peek released on January 14, 2024, and a Super Bowl LVIII commercial spot featuring Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin on February 11, 2024.

So Help Me Todd Episodes

Across its two-season run, So Help Me Todd produced 31 episodes. Season 1 delivered the full 21-episode arc, while Season 2 was constrained to 10 episodes. Each installment typically centered on a legal or investigative case that allowed the central characters to interact while advancing their personal storylines.

The pilot episode established Todd’s return to his mother’s law firm following the suspension of his private investigator license. The procedural format paired courtroom scenes with off-site investigations, giving both lead actors opportunities to showcase their characters’ contrasting approaches to problem-solving.

Detailed episode listings and individual synopses are available through dedicated entertainment databases. Wikipedia maintains an episode guide covering both seasons, including titles and air dates. The Paramount Fandom wiki provides additional coverage of casting changes and behind-the-scenes developments.

Fans of ensemble historical dramas with lengthy runs may also appreciate exploring Spartacus House of Ashur for comparison viewing, particularly those interested in how different production approaches sustain series across multiple seasons.

Series Timeline

Understanding when key events occurred helps contextualize the show’s trajectory from launch to cancellation.

  1. March 2022 — Marcia Gay Harden joins the project, replacing Geena Davis in the cast
  2. September 29, 2022 — Season 1 premieres on CBS
  3. May 18, 2023 — Season 1 concludes after 21 episodes
  4. 2023 — WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes disrupt television production industry-wide
  5. January 14, 2024 — Season 2 sneak peek released to the public
  6. February 11, 2024 — Super Bowl LVIII promotional spot airs
  7. February 15, 2024 — Season 2 debuts on CBS
  8. May 16, 2024 — Season 2 finale airs, completing the 10-episode season
  9. April 2024 — CBS officially cancels the series, confirming no Season 3

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed Information Uncertain or Unknown
The series ran from September 2022 to May 2024 Specific reasons beyond ratings for the cancellation decision
31 total episodes across two seasons Whether other platforms approached CBS about acquiring streaming rights
Paramount+ is the confirmed streaming home Future DVD or Blu-ray release plans
No Netflix availability confirmed Whether cast members have discussed the series’ end publicly
Strikes impacted Season 2 episode count Any potential plans to revisit the concept in the future
Geena Davis originally cast but replaced by Marcia Gay Harden Original plans for Davis’s character in the series arc

The Show’s Core Concept and Tone

So Help Me Todd operated within the legal comedy-drama space, combining procedural elements with character-focused storytelling. The premise placed a private investigator whose career had stalled under the supervision of his attorney mother, creating natural friction that fueled both comedic and dramatic moments throughout each episode.

The dynamic between Todd and Margaret drew from established family-relationship storytelling conventions, with their differing philosophies on law, investigation, and personal responsibility serving as recurring sources of conflict. Todd’s informal methods often clashed with the structured environment of his mother’s firm, yet their shared commitment to their cases provided common ground.

The show’s tone balanced courtroom drama with lighter investigative sequences, appealing to viewers who enjoyed procedural formats without the intensity of more serious legal series. Guest stars across both seasons added variety to the case-of-the-week format, while recurring supporting characters expanded the world beyond the central duo.

Critical Reception and Industry Response

The series attracted a loyal audience during its broadcast run, though detailed critical aggregate scores and comprehensive reviews remained limited in publicly available sources. Marcia Gay Harden’s performance as Margaret received particular attention from viewers familiar with her work in dramatic roles, providing a counterpoint to the show’s lighter procedural elements.

So Help Me Todd brought together an accomplished cast in a premise that blended family dynamics with investigative storytelling, running its full course despite the industry disruptions that affected many contemporary productions.

Where the Series Stands Today

So Help Me Todd concluded its broadcast run as a complete two-season series with 31 episodes available for streaming. The show represents a self-contained narrative arc that, while brief, provided closure for its central characters across both seasons. Paramount+ maintains the streaming rights, making it the primary destination for viewers who wish to revisit the series.

For those seeking similar content, other legal comedy-dramas and family-centered procedurals remain available across various streaming platforms. The show’s cancellation without a revival or continuation means that the Wright family’s story ended with the May 2024 season finale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is So Help Me Todd available on Netflix?

No confirmed Netflix availability exists for So Help Me Todd. The series streams exclusively on Paramount+ where it is available.

Has a DVD been released for So Help Me Todd?

No DVD or Blu-ray release for So Help Me Todd has been officially announced or released as of this reporting.

How many seasons of So Help Me Todd were produced?

Two seasons were produced, with 21 episodes in Season 1 and 10 episodes in Season 2, totaling 31 episodes.

Why did Season 2 have fewer episodes than Season 1?

The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes disrupted television production, resulting in a reduced episode order for Season 2.

Who played Todd Wright’s mother?

Marcia Gay Harden portrayed Margaret Wright, Todd’s mother and the defense attorney who runs her own law firm.

Will there be a Season 3 of So Help Me Todd?

No. CBS canceled the series in April 2024, confirming that Season 2 would be the final season with no Season 3 planned.

Who created So Help Me Todd?

Scott Prendergast created the series and served as a writer and executive producer throughout its run.


George James Carter Cooper

About the author

George James Carter Cooper

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.