TV's most incredible series got a reprieve when All Rise moved to OWN following its cancellation by CBS. The legal drama features a top-notch cast and impeccable storytelling, so it was a huge victory when the cable network picked it up for Season 3. While most of the cast were able to return for new episodes -- including the entire main ensemble -- some of the recurring cast members did not make the move. Most notably, Todd Williams won't be back as Robin Taylor.
That's a sizeable shift for the program, because Robin is one of the show's most important recurring characters. He's the husband of Lola Carmichael and a former FBI agent who's become a stay-at-home father to their young daughter. All Rise can't just work around him, which was why the network announced in February that it had replaced Williams with Christian Keyes (who had recurred on The Boys as Nathan Franklin). Recasts happen all the time, but this one has the potential to have real impact on a great show.
The All Rise Season 3 trailer recently gave fans their first look at Keyes' version of Robin, and while his performance can't be judged based on a few quick snippets, he has a very high standard to live up to. Williams is an incredible actor; one only needs to look at his performance in Shawn Ryan's undervalued The Chicago Code to see how he can light up the screen. Additionally, he has a real knack for playing tough cops while also imbuing them with a real warmth; he's done it numerous times, recurring on In Plain Sight and guest-starring in two CSIs, the also returning Criminal Minds, and Fox's emotional first-responder drama 9-1-1. Robin is a pretty by-the-book character, but Williams gave him personality.
That leads to the inevitable question of chemistry. Williams and Simone Missick, who stars in All Rise as Lola, had great chemistry and clearly worked hard to build the rapport that came with their characters having known each other for so long and being in such a strong marriage. That intangible can't be transferred over to another actor. Keyes is a different person and has a different resume; he's known more for soaps and genre shows, including The Young and the Restless and recurring as Michael in Supernatural Season 13. Not only does he have to build a rapport with Missick, but it's got to be somewhat similar to what Williams developed, because they're playing the same character. Fans will notice if Robin's personality or his dynamic with Lola does a 180.
That being said, All Rise made the best move possible by recasting the role of Robin. One of the many unique things about the series was that it made Lola and Robin's relationship a significant part of its storytelling and not just an occasional aside. Especially after the two stayed together during Robin's stint in Washington, it would have made no sense for them to split up or for him not to be seen like Matthew Casey on Chicago Fire following Jesse Spencer's departure. All Rise has busted relationship tropes and so it preserved a wonderful marriage, however awkwardly, rather than ruin two seasons of character development.
Keyes also has the opportunity to bring his own talent to the role of Robin, even if he has to work within the character that Williams established. Aside from being an actor, Keyes also created the drama series All the Queen's Men, which was renewed for Season 2 on BET+ around the same time his All Rise casting was announced. Being a writer as well as an actor gives him additional perspective into storytelling and characterization. He might be able to think of new details for Robin that haven't been developed yet, especially as the show likely won't limit Robin to staying at home all the time. It will absolutely be jarring to not see Todd Williams in the role of Robin Taylor, and it should be, but All Rise has always tried new things -- and Christian Keyes can keep Robin's spirit and what he means to the show alive.
All Rise Season 3 premieres Tuesday, June 7 at 8:00 p.m. on OWN.