Nelle Porter

Last updated
Nelle Porter
Ally McBeal character
First appearance"The Real World"
Last appearance"Bygones"
Portrayed by Portia de Rossi
In-universe information
Occupation Associate attorney, Cage & Fish
Nationality American

Nelle Porter is a fictional character on the Fox television show Ally McBeal . She is portrayed by actress Portia de Rossi and appears in Seasons 2 through to Season 5 of the show. A Boston-based lawyer, Nelle joins the fictional law firm of Cage & Fish with the ambition of someday becoming a partner. Romantically involved with partner John Cage during Seasons 2 and 3, she appears in future Seasons mainly as a source of comic relief. She is also notable for her close friendship with Ling Woo, one of the show's most remarked-upon characters. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Background

Nelle Porter is introduced in the Season 2 premiere as a young lawyer, known both for her skills as a litigator and for her cold demeanor (hence her nickname, "Sub-Zero Nelle"). Richard Fish brings her in to the firm as a rainmaker, with promises that she will be the first associate to be made partner. Though Fish is the main force behind bringing her into the firm (amid the protests of the associates), it is John Cage who immediately becomes “drawn to her” romantically. [6] Nelle begins dating John early on in the season. Their relationship struggles mostly due to John's cautious reluctance to go on dates anywhere other than the bar on the ground floor of the building that also houses their firm. John is also initially somewhat insecure in the relationship, as he believes Nelle's gorgeous looks place her out of his league, romantically speaking. [7] Later, Nelle must deal with insecurities of her own when she begins to feel that their coworker Ally McBeal might be a better match for John than she is. [8] Another early bump in their relationship occurs after Nelle's fear of frogs inadvertently results in her putting John's tree frog, Stefan, into a coma. [9]

Nelle is initially treated with hostility by the firm's other female employees, particularly fellow associate Georgia Thomas and Ally's secretary, Elaine Vassal. The main focus of this is jealousy of her courtroom skills, as well as her attractiveness. Her perfect blonde hair, for example, becomes a running gag on the show and a source of envy to the other women. [6] Nelle's character is also known early on for introducing her client Ling Woo to the firm. [10] Ling is also a close friend of Nelle's, and the two are seen interacting socially outside of work both before and after Ling herself joins the firm as an associate. [8] Nelle is the only member of the firm other than Richard Fish who seems pleased by Ling's addition to the staff. [11]

Nelle's relationship with John hits a major roadblock when she reveals that she has no desire to ever be a parent, which is a role John very much wishes to fill someday. [12] Their relationship ultimately begins to break down in Season 3, however, when John discovers Nelle's elitist tendencies and comes to view her as a snob. [13] Their eventual break-up results in a great deal of workplace hostility between Nelle and John, which is only amplified when Richard reveals that he and John do not intend to honor their promise to make Nelle a partner. In retaliation, Nelle begins poaching clients from Cage & Fish with the intention of starting her own firm. [14] Though her plan goes off without a hitch, she almost immediately returns to Cage & Fish out of guilt and because she misses working at the firm. She also mends fences with John and admits that the real reason she broke up with him is that she felt that he loved Ally in a way that he never loved her. [15]

Nelle has more of a background role in Season 4, though she does have a few notable storylines. She briefly dates fellow attorney Larry Paul, though he quickly chooses to instead cultivate a romantic relationship with Ally. [16] Shortly thereafter, she enters a charity auction on the firm's behalf and is obligated to go on a date with Dr. Greg Barrett, the man who places the winning bid on her. Though she initially acts dismissively towards Greg, she agrees to spend the day with him and in that brief time develops uncharacteristic, passionate, romantic feelings for him in spite of herself. In the end, she learns that he has been convicted of murder after compassionately performing euthanasia on a terminally ill ALS patient. Their day together is his final day of freedom, as he is due to be formally sentenced and to begin serving a life sentence in prison the following morning. Nelle watches tearfully the following day as Greg is taken away to serve his sentence. [17] During this season, she also mends fences with John when she implores him to help her try her father's case, after Mr. Porter is discharged from his job as a teacher for claiming to be Santa Claus. Nelle must ultimately face the fact that his delusion is connected with his distant relationship with her, and she begins to work toward making him a bigger part of her life. [18]

Nelle's relatively minor role continues in Season 5. She watches with amusement as chance transforms Ling from Cage & Fish associate to judge presiding over a television courtroom procedural. [19] When John Cage disappears unexpectedly while struggling with his unrequited romantic feelings for Ally, Nelle expresses considerable concern for his well-being. [20] After Ally is promoted to partner, Nelle initially reacts with jealousy, but Ally is quick to put her in her place. [21] She later learns from Ally that she is the firm's most lucrative associate and complies, to an extent, with Ally's request that she become more sociable and friendly with her co-workers. [22] This may be in part responsible for Nelle's finally establishing a bond with Elaine. Despite their largely antagonistic relationship throughout the show, Nelle helps her attempt to pursue her dreams of becoming a Broadway star. [23] Nelle shares her co-workers’ skepticism when Richard Fish decides to marry new associate Liza Bump, with whom she has a hostile relationship. Liza is responsible for revealing Nelle's secret that her birth name is actually “Morgan.” [24] The marriage, however, appears to create something of a truce between Nelle and Liza. [25] Nelle also displays a degree of chemistry with fellow associate Wilson Jade, who is hired by Liza on her first day at Cage & Fish. [24] The show ends, however, before anything serious develops between them. In the series finale, Nelle attempts to remain nonchalant when Ally decides to leave the firm for the sake of her daughter Madison, but nevertheless is shown to be tearful when Ally departs for New York City. [25]

Character

Nelle is portrayed as an ambitious and confident young woman. [6] Though well aware of her own beauty, she prefers to succeed based on her intelligence and merits as a litigator. [26] She displays a sarcastic sense of humor and is a frequent source of biting, witty one-liners. Nelle's nickname before joining Cage & Fish is “subzero,” as she is not known for her warmth as a person. [6] Though her friend Ling's viciousness is more commonly remarked upon, Nelle shares the same quality and can also be vindictive, if on a lesser scale. These traits come to the forefront in Season 3, both following her break-up with John Cage and during her attempt to start her own firm. [14] Nelle is primarily a career-oriented woman and is somewhat unusual among the show's female characters in that she expresses no desire to ever be a mother. [12] She also has no serious long-term romantic relationships after Cage, both because she prefers to focus on work and because she dislikes sex. [27] A softer side of Nelle can be seen on occasion, particularly during her relationship with Cage and in her friendship with her sole confidant, Ling, but also at various other points throughout the show. Ally herself notes in the series finale that Nelle has “a big heart,” but Nelle seems reluctant to expose it for fear of vulnerability. [25]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ally McBeal</i> American legal comedy-drama television series (1997-2002)

Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy drama television series, originally aired on Fox from September 8, 1997, to May 20, 2002. Created by David E. Kelley, the series stars Calista Flockhart in the title role as a lawyer working in the Boston law firm Cage and Fish, with other lawyers whose lives and loves are eccentric, humorous, and dramatic. The series received critical acclaim in its early seasons, winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 1998 and 1999, and also winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1999. As of August 2022, a revival is in development at ABC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calista Flockhart</span> American actress (born 1964)

Calista Kay Flockhart is an American actress. She is best known for portraying the title character on the Fox television series Ally McBeal (1997–2002), for which she received a Golden Globe Award in 1998 and was thrice nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. From 2006 to 2011, she starred as Kitty Walker on the ABC drama series Brothers & Sisters, and between 2015 and 2021, Flockhart appeared as Cat Grant on the superhero drama Supergirl. In film, she is known for roles in The Birdcage (1996), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999), and Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Liu</span> American actress

Lucy Alexis Liu is an American actress. Her accolades include winning a Critics' Choice Television Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Seoul International Drama Award, in addition to nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lara Flynn Boyle</span> American actress (born 1970)

Lara Flynn Boyle is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Donna Hayward in the television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991). After portraying Stacy in Penelope Spheeris's comedy Wayne's World (1992), Boyle had a lead role in John Dahl's neo-noir film Red Rock West (1993), followed by roles in Threesome (1994), Cafe Society (1995), and Happiness (1998). From 1997 to 2003, Boyle portrayed Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble in the ABC television series The Practice for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David E. Kelley</span> American television producer, writer and attorney

David Edward Kelley is an American television writer, producer, and former attorney. He has created and/or produced a number of television series including Doogie Howser, M.D., Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice and its spin-off Boston Legal, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Goliath, Big Little Lies, and Big Sky. Kelley is one of very few screenwriters to have created shows that have aired on all four top commercial U.S. television networks as well as cable giant HBO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portia de Rossi</span> Australian-American actress

Portia Lee James DeGeneres, known professionally as Portia de Rossi, is an Australian-American former actress. She played Nelle Porter on the American drama series Ally McBeal (1998–2002), for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award, Lindsay Bluth Fünke on the American television sitcom Arrested Development, and Elizabeth North on the American political thriller series Scandal (2014–2017). She is the founder and CEO of the art company General Public.

<i>The Practice</i> 1997-2004 American legal drama television series

The Practice is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley centering on partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The show ran for eight seasons on ABC, from March 4, 1997, to May 16, 2004. It won an Emmy in 1998 and 1999 for Outstanding Drama Series, and spawned the spin-off series Boston Legal, which ran for five more seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ally McBeal (character)</span> Fictional character

Allison Marie McBeal is the central fictional character in the Fox series Ally McBeal played by Calista Flockhart.

<i>Standoff</i> (TV series) American TV series or program

Standoff is an American drama series that premiered on the Fox network on September 5, 2006. Created by Craig Silverstein, the series focused on an FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit whose members negotiated hostage situations and shared relationships. The show was produced by Sesfonstein Productions and 20th Century Fox Television and its executive producers were Craig Silverstein, Tim Story, and Glen Mazzara. A total of 18 episodes were produced and the series completed its original run on July 20, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ling Woo</span> Fictional character from Ally McBeal

Ling Woo is a fictional character in the US comedy-drama Ally McBeal, portrayed by Chinese-American actress Lucy Liu. A Mandarin-speaking Chinese-American lawyer, Ling has been described as cold and ferocious.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beacon Street</span> Street in Greater Boston

Beacon Street is a major thoroughfare in Boston, Massachusetts and its western suburbs Brookline and Newton. It passes through many of Boston's central and western neighborhoods, including Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Fenway–Kenmore, the Boston University campus, Brighton, and Chestnut Hill.

<i>Dirty Sexy Money</i> American television series

Dirty Sexy Money is an American prime time drama television series created by Craig Wright. It ran on ABC from September 26, 2007, to August 8, 2009. The series was produced by Berlanti Television and ABC Studios. Wright served as an executive producer alongside Greg Berlanti, Bryan Singer, Matthew Gross, Peter Horton, and Josh Reims, with Melissa Berman producing.

Mark Albert is a fictional character played by James LeGros who appeared in the third and fourth seasons of the Fox Television show Ally McBeal. In his introductory episode, Ally viewed Mark as a threat to her own position at Cage & Fish and as an undesirable replacement for her recently deceased friend long-term lover Billy. Because of this, she treated Mark with open hostility, although this conflict was quickly resolved.

The first season of the television series Ally McBeal began airing in the United States on September 8, 1997, concluded on May 18, 1998, and consisted of 23 episodes. It tells the story of Ally McBeal, a young lawyer who found herself without a job after being sexually harassed by her boss, only to end up employed by her friend from college, Richard Fish, to work in the firm he created with his friend John Cage, named "Cage & Fish".

The second season of the television series Ally McBeal commenced airing in the United States on September 14, 1998, concluded on May 24, 1999, and consisted of 23 episodes. On March 22, 1999, Fox aired a special titled Life and Trials of Ally McBeal in which Bill Maher interviewed the cast after nearly finishing two seasons of the show. The special was produced by a different company. The entire season originally aired Mondays at 9pm, just like the season before.

<i>Ally McBeal</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of the television series Ally McBeal commenced airing in the United States on October 25, 1999, concluded on May 22, 2000, and consisted of 21 episodes. The entire season originally aired Mondays at 9pm, just like the seasons before.

<i>Ally McBeal</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the television series Ally McBeal commenced airing in the United States on October 12, 2000, concluded on May 21, 2001, and consisted of 23 episodes. The entire season originally aired Mondays at 9pm, just like the seasons before.

<i>Ally McBeal</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the television series Ally McBeal commenced airing in the United States on October 29, 2001, concluded on May 20, 2002, and consisted of 22 episodes. The entire season originally aired Mondays at 9pm, just like the seasons before. Following the episode that aired March 4, 2002, the show went on a six-week hiatus and was replaced by The American Embassy. The show returned on April 15, 2002, to air the final 7 episodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie Winterbottom</span> Fictional character in How to Get Away with Murder

Bonnie Winterbottom is a fictional character created in 2014 by Peter Nowalk. Portrayed by Liza Weil, she is a Philadelphia-based associate attorney who works for Annalise Keating's firm, and is one of the main characters on the ABC legal drama series How to Get Away with Murder.

References

  1. ↑ Patton, Tracey Owens. ““Ally McBeal" and Her Homies: The Reification of White Stereotypes of the Other". Journal of Black Studies. Sage Publications, Inc. 32.2(2001): 229–260.
  2. ↑ Shimizu, Celine Parreñas. "The Sexual Bonds of Racial Stardom". The hypersexuality of race. Duke University Press. 2007: 87.
  3. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (2011-02-09). "Nelle Porter - The Hottest TV Lawyers". UGO.com. Archived from the original on 2014-06-07. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
  4. ↑ "The Deseret News - Google News Archive Search".
  5. ↑ Murray, Noel (2011-12-01). "Ally McBeal, "It's My Party" · A Very Special Episode · The A.V. Club". Avclub.com. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "The Real World". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 1. Los Angeles. September 14, 1998. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  7. ↑ "Fool's Night Out". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 3. Los Angeles. September 28, 1998. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  8. 1 2 "In Dreams". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 11. Los Angeles. January 11, 1998. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  9. ↑ "World's Without Love". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 6. Los Angeles. November 2, 1998. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  10. ↑ "They Eat Horses, Don't They?". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 2. Los Angeles. September 21, 1998. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  11. ↑ "Pyramids on the Nile". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 14. Los Angeles. February 15, 1999. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  12. 1 2 "Let's Dance". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 19. Los Angeles. April 26, 1999. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  13. ↑ "Pursuit of Loneliness". Ally McBeal. Season 3. Episode 13. Los Angeles. February 21, 2000. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  14. 1 2 "Hope and Glory". Ally McBeal. Season 3. Episode 20. Los Angeles. May 15, 2000. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  15. ↑ "Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost". Ally McBeal. Season 3. Episode 21. Los Angeles. May 22, 2000. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  16. ↑ "Without a Net". Ally McBeal. Season 4. Episode 4. Los Angeles. November 13, 2000. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  17. ↑ "Love on Holiday". Ally McBeal. Season 4. Episode 7. Los Angeles. December 4, 2000. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  18. ↑ "The Man with the Bag". Ally McBeal. Season 4. Episode 8. Los Angeles. December 11, 2000. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  19. ↑ "Judge Ling". Ally McBeal. Season 5. Episode 2. Los Angeles. November 5, 2001. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  20. ↑ "Fear of Flirting". Ally McBeal. Season 5. Episode 4. Los Angeles. November 19, 2001. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  21. ↑ "The New Day". Ally McBeal. Season 5. Episode 12. Los Angeles. February 11, 2002. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  22. ↑ "Woman". Ally McBeal. Season 5. Episode 13. Los Angeles. February 18, 2002. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  23. ↑ "What I'll Never Do For Love Again". Ally McBeal. Season 5. Episode 20. Los Angeles. May 6, 2002. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  24. 1 2 "Tom Dooley". Ally McBeal. Season 5. Episode 18. Los Angeles. April 22, 2001. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  25. 1 2 3 "Bygones". Ally McBeal. Season 5. Episode 22. Los Angeles. May 20, 2002. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  26. ↑ "It's My Party". Ally McBeal. Season 2. Episode 4. Los Angeles. October 19, 1998. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  27. ↑ "In Search of Barry White". Ally McBeal. Season 4. Episode 19. Los Angeles. April 23, 2001. Fox Broadcasting Company.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.