Taking on Silicon Valley’s biggest tech companies is no small feat, but for Busy Philipps, stepping onto the set of CBS‘ newest legal drama Cupertino came with a challenge of its own.
The actress revealed to Celeb Secrets that she was just four weeks removed from major brain surgery when she began filming the highly anticipated series, making her role as Natalia Boutella a particularly meaningful one.
When we asked whether the role challenged her to push herself as an actress, her answer had less to do with the character and everything to do with what was happening behind the scenes.
“Oh, it challenged me in a way that I had major brain surgery four weeks prior to filming, and I had to go to work,” Philipps shared with Celeb Secrets on the red carpet ahead of Cupertino‘s New York screening at the Paley Center for Media on Wednesday (September 30). “… that’s just life. You can’t say no… It’s your job.”
Philipps first shared her health journey publicly in August, revealing in an emotional PEOPLE cover story that doctors discovered a rare, malignant brain tumor following a full-body MRI in February. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor in early March, only to face another setback when an infection at her incision site required a second procedure in April. Despite the frightening experience, she returned to work and ultimately brought Natalia to life in Cupertino.
And if you’re wondering what life was like behind the scenes once she made it back to set, Philipps had a much lighter secret to share. When we asked whether there were any fun filming moments fans wouldn’t necessarily pick up on while watching, the actress immediately pointed to one very important production staple: snacks.
“I don’t know, I think that everybody had a lot of snacks on set. Mike [Colter] was the one that had the most snacks out of all of us,” she laughed, giving her co-star Mike Colter a little playful shout-out.
But the on-set camaraderie is just one piece of what makes Cupertino worth adding to your fall TV watchlist. Created by Robert and Michelle King, the creative minds behind The Good Wife, The Good Fight and Evil, the new CBS series puts a modern spin on the classic David-versus-Goliath story, taking viewers straight into the complicated, fast-moving world of Silicon Valley.
The drama follows Michael Price (Colter), a lawyer who finds himself on the wrong side of the tech industry after his former startup employer cheats him out of his stock options. Rather than accept defeat, he teams up with fellow wrongfully terminated attorney Olivia Siffre (Rachel Keller) to launch a law firm dedicated to representing people who have been mistreated by the tech elite.
With Michael’s former assistant Christy Palladino (Ella Stiller) helping get the operation off the ground, the unlikely team sets out to challenge the powerful companies and executives who have long operated as though they’re untouchable.
The ensemble also features Renée Elise Goldsberry, Nik Dodani, Joe Morton, Rob McClure and Steven Pasquale, with Philipps stepping into the role of Natalia Boutella, a wealthy and flamboyant former spouse of a tech billionaire who becomes an important financial backer for the firm. And trust us, this isn’t your typical courtroom drama.
Celeb Secrets got an exclusive first look at the first two episodes during Wednesday’s intimate New York screening, where the cast and creative team came together to celebrate the series ahead of its broadcast debut. Seeing everyone all in attendance made the evening feel like a special introduction to a show that’s about to become part of the weekly TV conversation.
What immediately stands out about Cupertino is how effortlessly it blends the familiar appeal of a legal drama with conversations that feel ripped straight from today’s headlines. Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, corporate accountability and the increasingly blurred lines between innovation and responsibility all play a part in the show’s world.
It’s a lot to unpack, but that’s exactly where the Kings’ storytelling shines. Rather than overwhelming viewers with complicated tech jargon, the series finds ways to make these issues accessible, entertaining and, at times, genuinely funny. There’s plenty of legal maneuvering and high-stakes tension to keep things moving, but the humor and personality of the ensemble prevent the show from taking itself too seriously.
More importantly, the stories give audiences something to think about after each episode ends. As technology continues to evolve and reshape everyday life, Cupertino asks an increasingly relevant question: What happens when the people creating the future aren’t held accountable for the consequences? Through Michael and Olivia’s fight, the series explores what it looks like when everyday people stand up to institutions with seemingly unlimited money, influence and resources. It’s an empowering message about speaking up, challenging the status quo and remembering that even the biggest corporations aren’t beyond accountability.
The first two episodes also make a compelling case for watching the series as it unfolds. There are enough twists, character dynamics and larger questions introduced early on to leave you wanting answers, and we’re especially intrigued to see how the firm’s cases and overarching storylines develop throughout the season. It’s a refreshing addition to CBS’ fall lineup, with the kind of timely storytelling, sharp humor and ensemble chemistry that makes it easy to settle in for another episode. If you’re someone who loves a smart legal drama but also wants a series that feels connected to the world we’re living in right now, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Cupertino premieres Thursday, October 8, at 10:01 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with episodes available to stream live and on demand for Paramount+ Premium subscribers and on demand the following day for Paramount+ Essential subscribers. New episodes will air weekly.
