HBO’s ‘Perry Mason’ Debut Draws Monster TV Rating

HBO debuted a new series on Sunday and viewers were ready for it. Perry Mason, a compelling mystery starring Matthew Rhys in the titular role, drew 1.7 million eyeballs to its debut, making it the network’s strongest debut in almost two years. More than half of the audience pulled up a chair for the actual broadcast (884k) while the rest tuned in via digital viewing.

Perry Mason debut had 1.7 million viewers across all HBO platforms. Of that, 884,000 watched the 9 p.m. premiere.

— Joe Flint (@JBFlint) June 22, 2020

The Perry Mason debut trounced those of Succession (season two) and The Outsider (1.2 million) and eeked past Watchmen (1.5 million).

Critics and audiences both enjoyed part one of the eight-part reboot. On Rotten Tomatoes, the critic’s score and audience score are nearly mirrored (78% to 77%).

“There is much to enjoy here,” film critic Bill Goodykoontz wrote. “Everyone in the show is good, and it’s nice to see Rhys get a chance as a solo lead; he doesn’t waste it.

The first episode (below) was made free for all by HBO.

Perry Mason airs Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. ET.