Fan-favorite Hulu legal drama “Reasonable Doubt” is confirmed to have a third season in the works. With fans on edge to see how Jax (Emayatzy Corinealdi) and Lewis Stewart (McKinley Freeman) navigate the next chapter of their revolving martial issues, Jax has reached some personal milestones throughout the show’s first two seasons.

The defense lawyer commits herself to being a dedicated mother, businesswoman, and friend, going as far as being the legal support to one of her closest friends while on trial. Following the legacies of Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) from “Scandal” and Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) from “How to Get Away with Murder,” Jax is a testament to resilient Black women in law who delicately juggle work with their intense personal lives.

As a tribute to Corinealdi, who celebrates her 45th birthday on Tuesday, January 14, we explore six reasons why Jax has been the glue of “Reasonable Doubt” since its debut.

She Fights for Her Marriage

“Reasonable Doubt” begins with Jax and Lewis at an impasse in their marriage, with the lawyer dodging the couple’s therapy for a rendezvous with a security guard (Toby Onwumere) and a former client-turned-lover, Damon Cooke (Michael Ealy). But after getting too caught up with Damon nearly turning fatal, by season two, Jax and Lewis reconcile, resulting in the two finally seeking a resolution to their differences. Without spoiling too much, Lewis makes a big extramarital mistake towards the end of the first season that almost blows up their marriage and lingers after the Stewart Family by the show’s latest finale. But the third season of “Reasonable Doubt” could see Jax defending her husband when someone returns to threaten their relationship once and for all.

Her Family Remains a Priority

While Jax is a beast in the courtroom, she’s also the bridge between Lewis, her mother, Mama Lu (Pauletta Washington), and her children Spenser (Thaddeus J. Mixson) and Naima (Aderinsola Olabode). In season two, Jax validates her son’s aspirations as an artist, agreeing to his transfer to an art school while supporting her daughter’s journey into young womanhood. Also enjoying mother-daughter catch-ups with Mama Lu, in season two, Jax vulnerably addresses her about being groomed by her stepfather as a child to make amends for their rocky history.

She Recognizes Her Bad Habits

While being an occasional smoker doesn’t scratch the surface of Jax’s flaws, loyal viewers have seen the character evolve from cheating to strengthening her marriage with Lewis. When Jax is tempted to have a workplace affair with fellow defense attorney Corey Cash (Morris Chesnut), she wisely declines, not wanting to mix business with pleasure. Well into adulthood, Jax continues to raise the bar on bettering herself.

She Prioritizes Her Mental Health

In addition to couples therapy, Jax, who’s prone to anxiety attacks due to a heavy workload and post-traumatic stress disorder, takes up medication to ease her stress. The show’s highlighting of anxiety medication makes Jax’s character relatable to Black women with anxiety disorders while destigmatizing methods intended to alleviate mental unrest.

She’s #FriendGoals

Jax loyally stands beside her girlfriends Autumn (Tiffany Yvonne Cox), Sally (Neferati Spencer), and Shanelle (Shannon Kane), but when the latter gets accused of murdering her abusive husband, JT (Christopher Mychael Watson), she unflinchingly comes to her aid. In season two, Jax goes from being unsure about Shanelle’s perspective to successfully defending her in court, proving she’d been JT’s years-long victim.

She Slays in the Office and Courtroom

At the top of her game as a visible Black female lawyer at her firm, Jax keeps her associates Cash, Daniel (Tim Jo), and Krystal (Angela Grovey) on their toes while ensuring that her cases go undefeated. In her day-to-day role and the courtroom, Jax serves effortlessly, whether wearing a wavy bob or cropped cut, along with head-turning attire.