It is interesting to note that the PERRY MASON production with Robert Downey Jr. didn’t die. If you recall from a previous news item Nic Pizzolato was to move on from his signature series to flesh out a story for Erle Stanley Gardner’s iconic criminal defense lawyer. That ended once the third season of TRUE DETECTIVE came into being. Pizzolato’s attention is all about that anthology series and not a Mason tale.
The concept to bring the character back, however, was Robert Downey Jr.’s idea. He has now found new writers to take on the character that started in novels and went on to radio and film adaptations before actor Raymond Burr brought him to TV. As we have stated – Perry Mason is a lawyer who fights hard on behalf of his clients and who enjoys unusual, difficult or nearly-hopeless cases. He frequently accepts clients on a whim based on his curiosity about their problem, for a minimal retainer, and finances the investigation of their cases himself if necessary.
The new writers taking on the project are Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald (pictured). Jones has been a writer and/or executive producer on such works as Weeds, Friday Night Lights, HBO’s BOARDWALK EMPIRE and most recently The Exorcist. Ron Fitzgerald has joined Jones on some of those same projects as well as 
writing/producing for the rebooted Prime Suspect and Last Resort without Jones.
Again, it is nice to see that Downey’s long gestating idea hasn’t died and that writing continues on the piece. It is way too early to say how the Perry Mason story will be formatted or whether or not HBO will like what it sees enough to bring it to air. Downey hasn’t done any TV work since 2000’s Ally McBeal. We will follow the development and see where it goes. The gavel hasn’t dropped on it yet.
(Source: THR)
