It started as a made-for-TV movie. Then, it became a phenomenon that practically defined Lifetime's "guilty pleasure" era. Honestly, if you were watching TV in 2012, you couldn't escape the promos for Jennifer Love Hewitt as Riley Parks. People tuned in for the scandal, but they stayed because the chemistry among the Client List cast was actually surprisingly good for a show about a suburban massage parlor.
The premise was simple. Riley Parks gets dumped by her husband, faces foreclosure, and takes a job at "The Rub" in Sugar Land, Texas. She quickly realizes the "extras" make the real money. What followed was two seasons of high-stakes drama and a massive cliffhanger that never got resolved because of a very public, very messy behind-the-scenes pregnancy dispute.
Looking back, the ensemble was a weirdly perfect mix of 90s icons, character actors, and fresh faces.
Jennifer Love Hewitt as the Heart of the Show
Jennifer Love Hewitt wasn't just the lead. She was an executive producer. This was her big follow-up to Ghost Whisperer, and she leaned into the Riley Parks role with everything she had. She played Riley as a desperate mother first and a "professional" second.
Her performance grounded the show. Even when the scripts got a little soapy, Hewitt made you care about Riley's struggle to balance her secret life with her role as a single mom. But the real drama happened off-camera. During the second season, Hewitt became pregnant in real life by her co-star (and future husband) Brian Hallisay. Reports from outlets like Deadline at the time suggested a standoff between Hewitt and the network regarding the direction of the third season. Hewitt reportedly wanted Hallisay's character to be the father of her child on-screen, while showrunners disagreed.
The result? The show was canceled in late 2013. Since then, Hewitt hasn't slowed down much. She eventually found a massive second wind on 9-1-1 as Maddie Buckley. She's basically the queen of network procedurals at this point.
Loretta Devine: The Scene Stealer
If Hewitt provided the heart, Loretta Devine provided the backbone. Playing Georgia Cummings, the owner of the parlor, Devine was the best part of almost every episode. She brought a certain "don't mess with me" dignity to a role that could have been a caricature.
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Georgia was protective. She was savvy. She was a mentor.
Devine is a legend—an Emmy winner for Grey's Anatomy and a Broadway powerhouse. After The Client List, she stayed incredibly busy. You've likely seen her in Family Reunion on Netflix or heard her voice in Doc McStuffins. She’s one of those actors who makes everything they touch better. Period.
The Men of Sugar Land: Colin Egglesfield and Brian Hallisay
The show’s central romantic tension was a classic brother-in-law trope.
Colin Egglesfield played Evan Parks, the brother of Riley’s runaway husband. Evan was the "good guy" cop who was hopelessly in love with Riley. Egglesfield was already a heartthrob from Something Borrowed, and he fit the "small-town hero" mold perfectly. Post-show, he’s done a lot of Hallmark movies and written a book called Agile Artist. He’s also very involved in real estate and interior design now.
Then there’s Brian Hallisay. He played Kyle Parks, the husband who walked out and left the family in ruins. Kyle was a tough character to like, but Hallisay played the "tortured soul" well enough that some fans actually rooted for him.
Funnily enough, the chemistry between Hallisay and Hewitt was very real. They married in 2013 and have three children now. Hallisay has appeared on 9-1-1 alongside his wife, playing a much darker character than Kyle Parks.
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Cybill Shepherd and the Supporting Players
Having an icon like Cybill Shepherd play Riley’s mother, Linette, was a massive get for Lifetime. Shepherd brought that dry, Southern wit that served as a counterbalance to the more intense scenes at the spa.
The spa staff—the "girls" at The Rub—also featured some notable talent:
- Naturi Naughton: Before she became Tasha St. Patrick on Power, she was Kendra. Her talent was always too big for a supporting role, and Power proved it.
- Rebecca Field: As Lacey, Riley's best friend, she provided the moral compass. Field has remained a steady presence in Hollywood with roles in A Star is Born and Shameless.
- Alicia Lagano: She played Selena, the rival-turned-ally. Lagano brought a needed edge to the group.
Why the Show Still Has a Cult Following
There’s a reason people still search for the Client List cast years after the show vanished. It captured a very specific moment in time. The 2008 financial crisis was still a fresh memory for many viewers, and the idea of a mother doing "whatever it takes" to save her home resonated.
It wasn't just about the "client list" itself. It was about the community of women.
The show also excelled at guest casting. Every week, a new "client" would show up, often played by recognizable character actors. These episodic arcs kept the pacing fast. It’s a shame the show ended on a cliffhanger where Riley’s secret was finally exposed to the police. We never got to see the fallout. We never saw if she ended up with Evan or Kyle.
The Lasting Legacy of the Series
Despite the abrupt ending, The Client List paved the way for other Lifetime hits like Devious Maids and UnREAL. It proved that the network could handle serialized, high-concept dramas that appealed to more than just the "movie of the week" crowd.
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The cast members have mostly moved on to bigger things, but they often speak fondly of their time in Sugar Land. Well, maybe not the contract negotiations at the end, but the work itself.
What to Watch Next if You Miss the Cast
If you’re looking to follow the cast today, here’s where to start:
- Jennifer Love Hewitt: Watch 9-1-1. She carries a lot of the same emotional weight there.
- Loretta Devine: Check out Family Reunion for a more comedic side of her talent.
- Naturi Naughton: Power is essential viewing if you want to see her truly shine.
- Colin Egglesfield: His Instagram is actually a great place to follow his various business ventures and occasional acting clips.
Final Thoughts for the Fans
If you're revisiting the show on streaming, keep an eye on the background actors and the smaller roles. You'll see a lot of people who are now series regulars on other shows. The casting directors had a great eye for talent.
The reality is that The Client List was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment for Lifetime. It had the right star, the right premise, and just enough controversy to keep people talking. While we may never get a revival or a movie to wrap up those loose ends, the careers of the cast members continue to thrive.
To dig deeper into the specific filmography of any cast member, check out their IMDb profiles or follow their official social media for updates on 2026 projects. Most of this crew is still very active in the industry, and Hewitt, in particular, remains one of the most bankable stars in television history.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Streaming Status: As of now, the series often cycles through Hulu and Lifetime’s own streaming app. Check local listings if you’re outside the US.
- The Original Movie: If you haven't seen the 2010 TV movie that preceded the series, find it. It has a slightly different tone and provides more context for Riley's character.
- Follow the News: Since Hewitt and Hallisay are still together, they occasionally share "behind the scenes" stories from their time on set during podcast interviews. Keep an ear out for her appearances on 90s nostalgia podcasts.