Paul Danner (played by Gregory Harrison) is a protagonist in Breaking the Silence.
A successful, wealthy lawyer and old law school friend of Janey. He takes on the case of Kenny Becker, a boy accused of killing his father. As he investigates, he confronts his own traumatic past of sexual abuse revealed by his mother. Janey Kirkland (played by Stephanie Zimbalist) appears in Breaking the Silence.
An old law school friend of Danner who works at a legal aid center. She asks Danner for a favor and introduces him to Kenny Becker's self-defense homicide case. Kenny Becker (played by Chris Young) appears in Breaking the Silence.
A young boy who killed his father in self-defense. His case is brought to Paul Danner by Janey Kirkland, though Danner initially doubts his innocence due to his mother's refusal to testify. Judge Virginia Richards (played by Fran Bennett) appears in Breaking the Silence.
Cheryl (played by Kelly Rutherford) appears in Breaking the Silence.
Eliza Becker (played by Maryann Plunkett) appears in Breaking the Silence.
Kenny's mother, currently residing in a sanatorium. She refuses to testify in her son's defense, leading Danner to initially suspect mental illness, though she is actually protecting her child. Young Paul Danner (played by Nicholas Shields) appears in Breaking the Silence.
Rebecca Danner (played by Jill Jacobson) appears in Breaking the Silence.
Breaking the Silence (1992) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Paul Danner
(played by Gregory Harrison) — protagonist
A successful, wealthy lawyer and old law school friend of Janey. He takes on the case of Kenny Becker, a boy accused of killing his father. As he investigates, he confronts his own traumatic past of s...
Janey Kirkland
(played by Stephanie Zimbalist) — supporting
An old law school friend of Danner who works at a legal aid center. She asks Danner for a favor and introduces him to Kenny Becker's self-defense homicide case.
Kenny Becker
(played by Chris Young) — supporting
A young boy who killed his father in self-defense. His case is brought to Paul Danner by Janey Kirkland, though Danner initially doubts his innocence due to his mother's refusal to testify.
Judge Virginia Richards
(played by Fran Bennett) — supporting
Cheryl
(played by Kelly Rutherford) — supporting
Eliza Becker
(played by Maryann Plunkett) — supporting
Kenny's mother, currently residing in a sanatorium. She refuses to testify in her son's defense, leading Danner to initially suspect mental illness, though she is actually protecting her child.
Young Paul Danner
(played by Nicholas Shields) — supporting
Rebecca Danner
(played by Jill Jacobson) — supporting
Phillips
(played by Hugh Maguire) — supporting
Dr. Irving Berringer
(played by David Ackroyd) — supporting
Shirley Osterbach
(played by T.C. Warner) — supporting
DA Jack Hastings
(played by Kevin Conway) — minor
Reporter #1
(played by Alexandra Leh) — minor
Carolyn
(played by Lisa Dinkins) — minor
Fisher
(played by Thomas Wagner) — minor
June
(played by Judy Kerr) — minor
Charlie Becker
(played by Arell Blanton) — minor
Mr. Osterbach
(played by Dave Adams) — minor
Coach Hodgkiss
(played by Ernie Lively) — minor
Dr. Nyquist
(played by Aki Aleong) — minor
Story Analysis
A successful lawyer's professional detachment fractures as he uncovers his own past trauma while defending a young accused killer.
Plot Progression
The Professional Favor
Skepticism and Investigation
Unearthing the Past
Truth and Resolution
Directed by Robert Iscove
Breaking the Silence (1992) · 10/10 · drama, tv-movie
