Summary
After Apple TV+ released its new legal thriller,Presumed Innocent, I couldn’t help but notice the show’s similarities to another Apple TV+ miniseries that premiered four years ago. Regarding legal dramas, it can be easy for two series to feel cut from the same cloth. Theatrical courtroom scenes, cunning lawyers, and chilling crimes are all my favorite parts of a legal thriller’s landscape. However, it is hard to ignore howthis show is likePresumed Innocent. It isn’t only the setting that pairs these series together; their dynamics and themes are very similar.
Let’s lay out the basic setup to understand how these two shows converge. First and foremost,Presumed Innocentstars Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich,a prosecutor who unexpectedly becomes a suspect in the murder of his co-worker. 2024’sPresumed Innocentis not based on a true storybut is inspired by Scott Turow’s 1987 novel. The story was first adapted into a 1990 movie starring Harrison Ford.Presumed Innocenthas eight episodes in total and boasts a star-studded cast and crew. So far, its Rotten Tomatoes score is resting at a strong 77%.
Presumed Innocent Episodes 1 & 2 Recap: Rusty’s Affair & 9 Other Major Reveals
Presumed Innocent’s episodes 1 and 2 walk through everything from Rusty’s past affair with Carolyn to evidence suggesting he could be her killer.
Chris Evans' Defending Jacob Is Another Legal Thriller Based On A Book
How Presumed Innocent & Defending Jacob Connect
As I delve intoDefending Jacob, you may spot the key connections I picked up while watchingPresumed Innocent. Released four years ago in 2020,Defending Jacobis a legal drama starring Chris Evans. Evans plays Assistant District AttorneyAndy Barber, who discovers that his 14-year-old son might be a murderer.Defending Jacob’sstory is based on the 2012 bookof the same name, written by author William Landay. The series has eight episodes and features a cast of very recognizable faces. It holds a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The first two episodes ofPresumed Innocentare currently streaming on Apple TV+. Starting on June 22, 2025, the remainder of the episodes will be released weekly.
Side by side, I can’t help but see howPresumed InnocentandDefending Jacobresemble each other.They are both legal thrillers based on bookswith notable casts and positive ratings from critics. They even have the exact same number of episodes. Though Gyllenhaal and Evans are clearly different actors, they play incredibly similar roles. Their characters are both men facing terrifying accusations. However, despite the horror of their situations, they must put their fear aside and work hard to discover the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.
Defending Jacob Also Features A Star-Studded Cast
Presumed Innocent & Defending Jacob Share More Than Just Their Stories
WhilePresumed InnocentandDefending Jacob’sstories are very obviously related due to their shared genre, I have to point out that it isn’t just their plots that are comparable.The legal thrillers also have various technical aspects in common, including their casts. Evans and Gyllenhaal are white men in their 40s with notable movie careers. Though Gyllenhaal has historically done more dark, arthouse movies than Evans, the two have both appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I can also compare the rest of thePresumed InnocentandDefending Jacobcast.
Rusty Sabich and Andy Barber each have wives on their respective TV shows. InPresumed Innocent,it is Ruth Negga. InDefending Jacob,it is Michelle Dockery. Both actresses are from the UK and got their start in the theater in the early 2000s. WherePresumed Innocentincludes stars like Bill Camp and Renate Reinsve,Defending Jacobboasts Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, and J.K. Simmons. While having an impressive cast may not seem like a big deal, especially nowadays,this similarity is another big wayPresumed InnocentandDefending Jacobare intertwined.
Presumed Innocent Cast & Character Guide
Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent walks through a gripping courtroom drama that features several familiar actors but also ones who are relatively obscure.
Family Being Unsure Of The Accused’s Innocence Is A Common Theme
Presumed Innocent & Defending Jacob Explore Innocence Vs. Guilt
Small details aside,Presumed InnocentandDefending Jacob’sbiggest commonality is their shared themes. I believe innocence vs. guilt is the most important idea here. InPresumed Innocent,Rusty is put under the microscope as the primary suspect in his colleague’s murder. Though he knows the truth, he must defend himself to everyone in his life, along with the court. Meanwhile, inDefending Jacob,Andy must pick between his love for his son and his duty to justice. In this way, both shows hone in on one particular aspect of innocence vs. guilt.
Presumed InnocentandDefending Jacobboth explore the concept of what a loved one believes after a murder accusation. WherePresumed Innocentoffers the perspective of the accused,Defending Jacobcenters on a family member’s point of view. This distinction is intriguing because, on one hand, I felt for Gyllenhaal’s Sabich as he tried to prove himself innocent to everyone around him. However, I also empathized with Evans' Barber, who struggled with how to view his son after learning he could be a killer.
Presumed InnocentandDefending Jacobhave so many details in common that when they finally differentiate, it makes them so much more interesting.
Overall, I think this is one important difference that makes the show’s similarities all the better.Presumed InnocentandDefending Jacobhave so many details in common that when they finally differentiate, it makes them so much more interesting.The miniseries could easily be dismissed as telling the same story, but the subtle ways in which their plots branch off prove that they are thoughtful and meaningful shows. Plus, the audience being caught up in the mystery of who is guilty of murder makes the experience intriguing.
Chris Evans' Andy Barber Is Desperate To Protect His Son In Defending Jacob
Andy Barber & Rusty Sabich Have The Same Perspective
At the end of the day,Presumed InnocentandDefending Jacobare providing the same story. Rusty and Andy may be on different sides of their respective crimes, but their motives are equivalent. As Rusty fights to prove his innocence, Andy does everything he can to defend his son. Both men use their law experience to achieve their wanted outcome, even if that outcome teeters on the line of justice. I believe that is what makes these series so engaging. I appreciate how these miniseries showcase justice and personal vendettas blending together into one intense courtroom decision.
Having compared the two, I thinkPresumed InnocentandDefending Jacobshould be watched side-by-side. One might assume their shared characteristics would make the shows feel too similar, but their differences create the perfect duo. I recommend watching one after the other to see how Rusty and Andy’s stories intersect and diverge. For those who have already watched one series, I bet watching the other will be as satisfying. Apple TV+ may have released two related miniseries within four years of each other, but luckily,Presumed InnocentandDefending Jacobare well worth the watch.
