In The Lincoln Lawyer, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo stars as Mickey Haller, an unconventional idealist who runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln. Based on the second novel in Michael Connelly’s best-selling series and executive produced and co-written by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Anatomy of a Scandal), the series finds Haller cruising through the metropolis of Los Angeles as he takes on a wide range of cases.
Garcia-Rulfo, who also stars in Netflix’s Sweet Girl and 6 Underground, truly takes center stage in the legal drama, which hit number one on Netflix’s English-language Top 10 after its first week. Queue was able to grab some Quick Queues with the star, and learned about how he prepared to play Mickey, his biggest challenge, and the importance of Latinx representation on the big and small screens.
Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo)
Queue: How did you prepare for your role ahead of filming?
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo: I watched hours of real footage of trials. I met with a lot of lawyers. I learned how to surf.
What would you say you have in common with your character, Mickey Haller?
MGR: I guess a lot of things. I work very well under pressure, when the adrenaline is high. Mickey Haller [does] as well.
What would you say is the biggest difference between you and your character?
MGR: I hate driving. I hate traffic. I cannot read in the car or look at my phone because I get car sick, so I think that’s the biggest difference.
What was the biggest challenge for you in terms of taking on this role? Was it surfing?
MGR: Surfing was one because I’m terrified of sharks. I think the biggest challenge was with the language, the English, which is not my first language, and to have all those huge monologues with legal terms, that was a big challenge for me.
Who would you say is the funniest on the cast of The Lincoln Lawyer?
MGR: The funniest? I’m between Becki [Newton] and Angus [Sampson]. Yeah. They’re too funny.
Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and Izzy (Jazz Raycole)
What’s one thing you always bring on set with you?
MGR: I’m always carrying a book. You don’t know if there’s a lot of waiting between takes, between scenes. So, I bring a book.
While you’re waiting between scenes, do you listen to any music?
MGR: When I’m working, I like quiet. Sometimes I put on some classical music or some relaxing music.
When it comes to other things you watch on Netflix, what’s your favorite comfort watch?
MGR: I’m pretty dark. I started watching Peaky Blinders, and I loved the last movie that I saw on Netflix — I think I’ve seen it four times — The Hand of God, the [Paolo] Sorrentino film. Oh, man. That movie. I mean that director is something.
