'Practice' to be reincarnated as new drama
Several cast members will join new show
The Associated Press, Updated: 9:19 p.m. ET March 10, 2004

LOS ANGELES - “The Practice,” the ABC legal drama that underwent major cast changes this season, is coming to an end — sort of.

The network said Wednesday the series will conclude May 16 but will “evolve” into a new fall drama set in the “high-priced, high-end world of civil law.”

Plans call for several cast members from “The Practice” to work for the new firm, which will be introduced to viewers at the end of this season, ABC said.

The network did not indicate which characters would survive the transition and said further information on the show will follow.

“Last year it seemed that the series was over,” executive producer and creator David E. Kelley said in a statement. “Instead, we’ve been given the opportunity to evolve and go on.”

Upheaval is nothing new to the Emmy-winning “The Practice.” It returned from the brink of cancellation for its eighth season but without star Dylan McDermott and five other cast members.

Steve Harris, Camryn Manheim and Michael Badalucco stayed on and were joined by newcomer James Spader.

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