Lincoln Lawyer star Jazz Raycole's life from family tragedy to Netflix drama change

The Lincoln Lawyer returns in season three trailer

The Lincoln Lawyer has returned with its star Jazz Raycole, who plays the character Izzy Letts, back in the driver's seat for the latest episodes.

The third season of the show premiered on Netflix last month, featuring Mickey Haller (portrayed by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) once again striving to prove a defendant's innocence while dealing with his own personal issues.

Jazz, 36, reprises her role as Izzy, Haller's former client-turned-driver, who not only chauffeurs him around but also offers much-needed advice from time to time.

As fans eagerly await news of a potential fourth season, interest in Jazz and her portrayal of Izzy continues to grow.

Dancing life

Born in February 1988, Jazz is the daughter of water company superintendent Ray and Claudia Dillingham, who owned a dance studio and homeschooled Jazz.

Dance was Jazz's first love, and she became a competitive dancer at the tender age of four, holding state championship titles in tap, jazz, and ballet.

In 2001, she began attending the Boston Ballet and the School of American Ballet, eventually earning a full scholarship to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

Inside Lincoln Lawyer star Jazz Raycole's life from reason for sitcom exit to heartbreaking loss (Image: NETFLIX)

The Lincoln Lawyer season three cast at the show's premiere in America. (Image: GETTY) Sitcom exit

Alongside her passion for dance, Jazz also developed an interest in acting and landed her first significant role as Claire Kyle in the first season of the comedy series My Wife And Kids.

However, her stint on the show was short-lived, as she was replaced in the second series by actress Jennifer Freeman.

After her mother raised concerns about a storyline involving pregnancy, Claire quit her TV show role, as reported by The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Show.

Speaking to The Christian Post, Jazz reflected on her early departure from the series: "I was 12-years-old when I got that job. The producers wanted a different thing, they wanted someone a little bit older. I wasn't ready for that.

I ended up going to New York to dance, which was my first passion. I really thank God for that because I got to grow and travel."

Jazz's departure from the initial show did not hamper her acting journey; she went on to perform in numerous successful series, including Jericho, First Day, A Lesson In Romance, Vanity, The Quad, and Council of Dads.

Actress Jazz Raycole at the premiere of The Lincoln Lawyer season three. (Image: Getty Images) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Lincoln Lawyer book change

An interesting twist came with her casting in Netflix's hit legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer, based on Michael Connelly's bestselling book series.

However, picturing her in this role wasn't an automatic fit as her character Izzy wasn't actually in the novels.

Discussing the significant change in her character with Forbes, Jazz revealed: "In the books, my character is this white surfer dude; clearly, I'm not a white surfer dude.

"They were playing around with the idea of having a woman driver to bring a little more female energy to it, which I'm super grateful for."

Loss

Jazz resonated personally with her Lincoln Lawyer character Izzy's background in dance and her struggles with mental health due to a devastating personal loss.

Opening up to Forbes, she shared: "One instance changed my life forever: my brother's death. It changes you. Certain things in life happen that change you. That's where I relate to Izzy.

"Her addiction is similar to my mental health in the sense that it's something that you're never going to be able to get rid of.

"Addiction is something that stays with you forever. You're going to have to fight and battle and struggle with it forever and treat it.

"That's the same thing with mental health. You have to accept the ugly parts of life and yourself."

The Lincoln Lawyer is available to watch on Netflix.

Lincoln Lawyer star Jazz Raycole's life from family tragedy to Netflix drama change

Lincoln Lawyer star Jazz Raycole's life from family tragedy to Netflix drama change

Lincoln Lawyer star Jazz Raycole's life from family tragedy to Netflix drama change

Lincoln Lawyer star Jazz Raycole's life from family tragedy to Netflix drama change

Lincoln Lawyer star Jazz Raycole's life from family tragedy to Netflix drama change