Alec Baldwin Announcing a Reality Show Ahead of His Manslaughter Trial Is 'Not Ideal' Timing, Says Legal Expert

Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria announced a reality show about their family coming to TLC in 2025

The timing of Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria Baldwin's newly announced TLC reality show is "not ideal" considering his ongoing Rust case, according to a legal expert source.

"The timing of the show overlapping with the trial seems strange, but that's also life and how projects work," the insider, who is not connected to the case, tells PEOPLE. "Sometimes you just don't control the timing of when things will or will not air, and we don't know how long this was in the works."

The source adds that some people might find a reality show in poor taste, but it will likely have no effect on the outcome of the trial. "There is still a legal process that will play out," the source says, "and you have to trust in that process."

On June 4, Alec, 66, and Hilaria, 40, announced their upcoming reality show, The Baldwins. A video teaser gave a glimpse into the family dynamics the spouses and their seven young kids will share on TLC in 2025.

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Related: All About Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin's 8 Children

News of the Baldwins' reality show comes after Alec was indicted by a New Mexico grand jury and recharged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal 2021 Rust shooting, in which cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on set. His trial is set for July.

According to New Mexico law, he faces up to 18 months in prison with the new charges. He has pleaded not guilty. Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in April.

Gloria Allred, an attorney representing Hutchins' parents and sister in a civil suit against Baldwin in connection to the Rust shooting, told TMZ she thinks the reality show is "appears to me, to be a calculated and cynical public relations move to try to influence the jury pool in New Mexico to think of him as a sympathetic family man."

But the legal source adds that they don't actually think the reality show is any type of legal ploy.

"People who know him know this is a guy who is extremely patient and calm and kind around his kids. Would it hurt to show that side of him? No, but you have to remember the legal aspects of the case are not dependent on who he is or is not as a person." 

The source adds that it's not just the Alec Baldwin show. "Hilaria is very proud of her brood," the source adds of the actor's wife. "I ultimately think the show will be much more about her and parenting a giant family."

Related: Everything to Know About the Rust Shooting Case and Alec Baldwin's Upcoming Trial

Back in January, a source close to the family spoke to PEOPLE about how Alec and Hilaria were handing his indictment, sharing that they found the news "frustrating" and "very stressful."

"It’s stressful for Hilaria. It’s frustrating for them both that Alec is being recharged. They knew there was a possibility there would be a new indictment," the source said at the time. "The back and forth is hard."

A rep for Alec declined to comment.

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