September 25, 2001 (2001-09-25)– May 4, 2004 (2004-05-04)
The Guardian is an American drama television series created by David Hollander, which originally aired on CBS from September 25, 2001, to May 4, 2004. The show stars Simon Baker as Pittsburgh corporate attorney Nick Fallin, with Dabney Coleman as his father and boss. When Nick is convicted of drug use, he is sentenced to 1,500 hours of community service as a guardian ad litem; the show focuses on this, his recovery from drug addiction, and his strained relationship with his father. It includes guest stars such as Farrah Fawcett, and featured scenes with the Pittsburgh Police in multiple episodes.
Simon Baker, as Nicholas "Nick" Fallin, is a lawyer sentenced to community service for drug-related crimes. The central protagonist, he is a driven individual whose work and relationships are the focus for the series.
Dabney Coleman, as Burton Fallin, is Nick's father and the senior partner at the law firm where Nick works. Another central protagonist, the two do not have a close relationship. Starting in season two, he fosters Shannon Gressler.
Alan Rosenberg, as Alvin Masterson, is the head of Legal Services of Pittsburgh, where Nick is doing his community service. Later in the series, Alvin dates Laurie Solt, a social worker.
Wendy Moniz, as Louisa "Lulu" Archer, is Nick's de facto boss from midseason one and his main love interest. She marries another man, but Nick cannot seem to move on, partially because she cannot seem to, either, even after her marriage.
Raphael Sbarge, as Jake Straka, is Nick's closest friend and a law colleague.
Charles Malik Whitfield, as James Mooney, is an attorney at Legal Services of Pittsburgh and a friend of Nick's. He has a gang and drug background (seasons 1–2).
Erica Leerhsen, as Amanda Bowles, is an ambitious but caring associate (first 13 episodes).
Recurring
Rusty Schwimmer, as Barbara Ludinski, is the secretary for Legal Aid where Nick is doing his community service. Jake has an ongoing, but somewhat ambiguous relationship with her that teeters on the edge of becoming romantic. He likes and respects her, but he remains tentative (seasons 1–2).
Bethany Joy Lenz, as Claire Stasiak, appeared in two episodes: "What It Means to You" and "My Aim Is True".
Chris Pine, as a troubled teen, Lonnie Grandy, appeared in the season-three episode "Hazel Park".
Will Ferrell, credited as "Phil Weston",[1] made a cameo appearance as Larry Flood, a new lawyer at LSP, in the season-two finale, "All the Rage".
Corey Feldman appeared as a former child actor, Gavin Putinski, in season two's "You Belong to Me".
Erik Estrada made a cameo appearance in a restaurant in season three, episode 18, "The Bachelor Party".
Joseph Campanella as Ralph Longo, is the sick grandfather evicted from the home in which he had squatted for 21 years, in the season-three episode 9, "Let God Sort 'Em Out".
Aaron Paul portrays a gay teenager in the season-one episode "The Men from the Boys".
Chloë Grace Moretz, as Violet, appears in the season-three episodes "The Watchers" and "Blood in, Blood Out". This was her first acting role.
Anna Gunn, as Meghan Barstow, is a lawyer for a pharmaceutical firm in season-one episodes "Home" and "Reunion".
Viola Davis portrays Suzanna Clemons' attorney in the season-one episode "The Men from the Boys".
Kerry Washington. as Drea Westbrook, is a client in the season-two episode "The Next Life".
Jesse Plemons, as Lawrence Neal, portrays a disabled child in the season-one episode "Paternity".
Lee Thompson Young, as Levi Mooney, is James' nephew over whom he briefly has custody.
Andrew Lawrence, as Ronnie Wagner, is a 13-year-old accused of killing his adoptive mother in season two, episode two, "Monster".
Production and location
The fictional offices of Fallin & Fallin is located at the Frick Building
The show was set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was filmed in the city from time to time. Beginning in season two, the theme song was "Empire in My Mind" performed by The Wallflowers. The fictional offices of Legal Services of Pittsburgh are located at 121–123 Seventh Street, Pittsburgh, while Fallin and Fallin's offices are located in the Frick Building, 437 Grant Street, Pittsburgh.
International broadcast
Latin America
In Latin America, the series premiered sometime between 2002 and 2011; the Sony Spin channel — one of the channels on which the series aired there — showed the series from October 2012 until 2013/2014.
Europe
UK
In the UK, the series aired on the Hallmark Channel for at most three years before moving to ABC1 from April 2006 until around 2007. It also aired on 5USA from May 2009 until the 2010s; Five first aired the series in August 2009.
Asia
India and Pakistan
In India and Pakistan, the series aired on Animax from June 2010 until around 2012. It also aired on FX in the mid-2010s and on AXN until 2019.
Singapore
In Singapore, the series airs on AXN (through Starhub Cable Television) for at most two decades as of 2025.
Turkey
In Turkey, the series aired on TNT from 2008/2009 until 2011/2012.
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