Busy Philipps attends a red carpet event
TV & Film

Busy Philipps Steps Back Into the Spotlight in First Trailer for CBS Drama 'Cupertino'

The actress plays a vengeful tech ex-wife financing an underdog law firm in her first acting project since undergoing brain surgery.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

Busy Philipps is officially back in action. Network viewers just got their first look at the actress in the debut trailer for CBS's upcoming legal drama *Cupertino*, marking her return to screen acting following her recovery from brain surgery. The new series plunges deep into the cutthroat atmosphere of Northern California's tech scene. The plot follows two corporate castoffs who rebuild their careers by taking aim at the very industry that rejected them. Mike Colter and Rachel Keller star as Michael and Olivia, two former tech insiders who launch an independent legal firm designed to protect everyday citizens from deep-pocketed Silicon Valley conglomerates.

What is CBS Cupertino about?

The network sneak peek sets up a classic David-versus-Goliath struggle, contrasting scrappy legal tactics with massive corporate power. After being ousted from their previous positions, Michael and Olivia decide to turn their inside knowledge of the tech world into their biggest asset. They aim to hold industry titans accountable, battling high-powered executives and unethical developers who manipulate digital systems for profit. However, launching a new firm requires massive capital, which is where Philipps' character makes her grand entrance. The 47-year-old actress plays Natalie, a wealthy and delightfully blunt woman with a serious bone to pick with the tech elite.

Busy Philipps attends a red carpet event
Busy Philipps attends a red carpet event

Who does Busy Philipps play in Cupertino?

Natalie enters the fold as the financially flush ex-wife of an AI billionaire. According to official character descriptions, her tech-mogul husband divorced her as soon as she turned 40. Instead of retreating quietly, Natalie decides to channel her rage and her divorce settlement into funding Michael and Olivia's legal startup, giving her a direct path to ruin her ex-husband's business ambitions. In the newly released trailer, Philipps brings plenty of attitude to the role, delivering sharp one-liners as she aligns herself with the underdog attorneys. During one standout scene, she confidently tells her new partners, "We are the disrupters now," signaling that her character is ready to play dirty to achieve her goals. The role represents a significant milestone for Philipps, who previously shared details about undergoing brain surgery before stepping back in front of the camera. Her performance in *Cupertino* offers fans a chance to see her tackle a dramatic, revenge-driven character in one of the fall season's most anticipated new network offerings.

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People also ask

What is Busy Philipps' new TV show?
Busy Philipps stars in the CBS legal drama Cupertino, playing a blunt divorcee named Natalie who finances a rogue law firm to ruin her AI billionaire ex-husband.
Why did Busy Philipps take a break from acting?
Philipps paused her screen acting career to recover after undergoing brain surgery before making her return in CBS's Cupertino.