Perry Mason: The End of an Era and the Question of Paul Drake Jr.
The popular TV series Perry Mason, created in 1957 and starring Raymond Burr as the titular character, captivated audiences for nine seasons. However, the mysterious absence of Paul Drake Jr. in later seasons leaves many fans curious about the reasons behind it. This article delves into the history of the character and the series, addressing why they stopped making new episodes of Perry Mason after season six and why they did not recast Paul Drake Jr. with a different actor.
The Character of Paul Drake Jr.
The character of Paul Drake Jr. was introduced in the later seasons of the series, replacing the original Paul Drake, played by William Hopper. Hopper’s character was the son of the original Paul Drake, and his role was crucial in supporting Perry Mason. However, in 1970, William Hopper passed away, leading to the introduction of Paul Drake Jr. to keep the character lineage alive without a direct relative.
Why Was Paul Drake Jr. Not Recast?
The introduction of Paul Drake Jr. was a significant shift in the character dynamics of the show. While the idea of recasting actors is common in television, the producers of Perry Mason may have felt that the show's identity was closely tied to its original cast. The character of Paul Drake was an essential component of the series, and changing the actor in such a pivotal role could have disrupted the continuity and authenticity of the show.
Furthermore, by the time of Hopper's death, the series had already concluded, with its focus shifting to other projects or adaptations of the Perry Mason character. This shift in direction might have also played a role in why they did not consider recasting Paul Drake Jr.
The Perry Mason TV Movies
Following the conclusion of the original series, Raymond Burr continued to star in several TV movies titled "Perry Mason Mysteries" from 1985 to 1995. However, these were not seasons in the traditional sense but rather 30 TV movies. The first 9 movies featured the character of Paul Drake Jr., portrayed by William Katt, from 1985 to 1988. After Katt left the series, the remaining 21 movies saw the introduction of Kenneth “Ken” Malansky, played by William R. Moses, as a replacement for Paul Drake Jr.
Interestingly, despite the departure of key actors, the network continued to produce Perry Mason movies after the original series ended. Even in the four TV movies made after Raymond Burr’s death, they managed to continue the franchise without the titular character. This demonstrates that the network had no issues with actors leaving and continued to support the franchise through different iterations.
Conclusion
While the reasons for the absence of Paul Drake Jr. in the later seasons of Perry Mason are multifaceted, the show's producers prioritized continuity and the integrity of the character. This decision resulted in the series concluding with the introduced character, rather than introducing a new one. The story of Perry Mason and its adaptions continue to intrigue and engage fans, proving that the franchise is more than just the titular character.
You can learn more about the Perry Mason TV series and its TV movies, including the 30 Perry Mason movies produced from 1985 to 1995, on Amazon.