Who plays Abby Stone on Night Court? Everything to know about the actress

Night Court season 3 premieres episode 1, titled The Judge's Boyfriend's Dad, on November 19, 2024, at 8:30/7:30c on NBC. Judge Abby Stone takes over the Manhattan Criminal Court's night shift, a role once held by her late father, Harry Stone.

She leads a team including prosecutor Olivia Moore, bailiff Donna "Gurgs" Gurganous, and public defender Dan Fielding, who re-enters the courtroom at Abby's insistence after initial challenges.

Melissa Rauch’s casting as Abby Stone in Night Court brings a fresh yet familiar charm to the series. With her rich acting background and notable roles in TV and film, she has elevated the new installment of Night Court. Rauch’s portrayal of Abby reflects the legacy of her father’s position while carving out her unique space in the Manhattan night courtroom.

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Who Is Abby Stone on Night Court?

In Night Court, Melissa Rauch takes on the role of Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of the late Harold T. “Harry” Stone. Abby arrives in New York City to begin her tenure as the magistrate for Manhattan Criminal Court’s night shift, a position once held by her father. Her appointment certainly adds continuation to Harry’s legacy.

Abby faces challenges, including her public defender's abrupt resignation on her first day. Determined to restore order, Abby convinces Dan Fielding (played by John Larroquette), a seasoned attorney and former prosecutor under her father, to take on the role of public defender.

Dan, initially hesitant, eventually agrees and becomes a crucial member of Abby’s team. Their dynamic relationship, filled with humor and heartfelt moments, showcases Abby’s ability to connect with and inspire those around her.

As the presiding judge, Abby manages a diverse night shift team, including Olivia Moore (India de Beaufort), an ambitious prosecutor, and Donna “Gurgs” Gurganous (Lacretta), an eccentric yet cheerful bailiff.

Abby’s character also explores her personal growth as she steps into her father’s shoes. In an episode titled "Blood Moon Binga," it is revealed that her full name is Abracadabra Stone, a humorous twist reflecting her father’s whimsical personality.

Despite the comedic undertones, Abby brings a sense of professionalism and integrity to her role, emphasizing her commitment to upholding justice. Rauch’s ability to capture this balance has been pivotal in making Abby Stone a memorable and relatable character.

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About Melissa Rauch: The actress behind Abby Stone

Melissa Rauch has been popular as Bernadette Rostenkowski from her role on The Big Bang Theory. Apart from her career as an actress, Melissa has been a writer and producer as well. She was nominated for both the Critics' Choice and People's Choice Awards for her performance.

The show itself received multiple accolades, including a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy Series and six consecutive Screen Actors Guild nominations for its ensemble cast.

Rauch has worked on a lot of different TV shows and movies. In TV shows like True Blood, Black Monday, and The Office, she has played various roles. To note, she also wrote and produced the 2015 sports comedy-drama The Bronze with her husband, Winston Rauch. She also did voice work for a number of animated shows.

The noteworthy films of her career include The Laundromat, I Love You, Man, and Ice Age: Collision Course. Rauch also voiced Harley Quinn in the animated film Batman and Harley Quinn. Her stage performances, including The Miss Education of Jenna Bush, helped her receive recognition at the New York International Fringe Festival.

Other than acting, Rauch is an advocate for important causes. She helped establish Oscar's Kids, a charity for kids with cancer that helps pay for treatments for aggressive, terminal brain cancers like DIPG.

As NBC mentions,

"Rauch wrote an essay for Glamour magazine on pregnancy loss, and a subsequent PSA became a powerful healing tool for women across the globe."

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Night Court season 3 episode 1 airs on November 19, 2024, on NBC.