How to watch

In the late nineties, writer-producer David E. Kelley dominated TV courtrooms. The Practice followed Bobby Donnell's scrappy Boston defense firm through tough moral dilemmas and won multiple Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series. At the same time, Ally McBeal offered a whimsical, dancing-baby take on lawyers in love, and the two shows famously crossed over. When The Practice ended, its final season introduced James Spader's Alan Shore, who headed to Boston Legal alongside William Shatner's unforgettable Denny Crane.

🕐 Release Order

Release order follows the three shows as they aired, with The Practice and Ally McBeal running side by side for several years.

1. The Practice (1997–2004)
2. Ally McBeal (1997–2002)
3. Boston Legal (2004–2008)

The connections between the shows are crossovers and shared characters rather than one serialized plot, so the chronology is mostly about timing.

📖 Story Chronology

The Practice and Ally McBeal unfold at the same time and meet in a two-part 1998 crossover that begins on Ally McBeal and concludes on The Practice. Boston Legal picks up directly after The Practice's final season, continuing the story of Alan Shore.

1. The Practice Seasons 1–7 (1997–2003)
2. Ally McBeal (1997–2002)
3. The Practice Season 8 (2003–2004)
4. Boston Legal (2004–2008)

Which Order Should You Choose?

If you're mainly here for Boston Legal, start with the final season of The Practice so you understand Alan Shore's arrival and the setup for the spin-off. For the full experience, watch The Practice from the beginning and dip into Ally McBeal around the crossover. Ally McBeal is optional, but it's a charming, offbeat companion with a very different tone.

🔗 Related Guides

• The Good Wife Watch OrderGuide
• Suits Watch OrderGuide
• Law & Order Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!