‘Presumed Innocent‘ is a legal drama series that’s been shaking things up on Apple TV+. The show is an adaptation of Scott Turow’s bestselling novel starring Jake Gyllenhaal. With executive producer J.J. Abrams, known for his knack for suspenseful storytelling, and David E. Kelley, a master of courtroom drama, the series premiered on June 12, 2024.
Gyllenhaal plays Rusty Sabich, a deputy chief prosecutor, who gets embroiled in a scandal that’s juicier than a tabloid headline. The plot kicks off with the murder of Carolyn Polhemus, played by Renate Reinsve, who isn’t just any random victim but a fellow prosecutor—and Rusty’s former lover, setting up a dramatic courtroom showdown.
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Who Killed Carolyn In ‘Presumed Innocent’?
Carolyn Polhemus, an ambitious and talented prosecutor, is found dead. Who could’ve done it? Well, the finger-pointing quickly turns toward Rusty Sabich. Why? Because they had an affair, and nothing screams more loudly than a betrayed lover caught in a web of lies and deceit.
But the true culprit is unexpectedly Rusty’s wife, Barbara, portrayed by the talented Ruth Negga. Barbara, feeling the sting of betrayal and the urge to protect her family from the scandal’s fallout, turns out to be the one who snuffed out Carolyn. Barbara’s character evolves from a caring wife to a desperate protector, depicting how far people may go when they feel cornered.
Rusty, played by Gyllenhaal, is a masterpiece of mess as he tries to navigate the trial while battling with his own moral compass. His performance is supported by an equally excellent cast, including Peter Sarsgaard as Tommy Molto, Sabich’s competitor in the district attorney’s office. As Gyllenhaal told PEOPLE that playing the accused murderer was an “interesting challenge.”
“I think he is very particular as a character, but I think that David Kelley sets up a really, really complex situation,” he added. “I think that’s what drew him to it. It also drew me to it — of all the questions that come. But I think one of the other things that really drew me to it was the question of the family. That in this story you really explore that whole world, and how everybody gets embroiled and enmeshed in it.“
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The Aftermath And Shocking Ending
As the trial progresses, it isn’t just about proving innocence or guilt. It’s about digging into the complexities of human relationships and the extent we’ll go to save face or family. Rusty’s acquittal is bittersweet. Sure, he’s off the hook legally, but the revelation that his wife is the real killer leaves a moral crater that’s hard to fill.
As J.J. Abrams told Deadline “Nothing was ever shot to set up a second season. Our focus was on telling the story of Carolyn’s murder and Rusty’s trial and wrapping that up at the end of the first season.” It’s a must-watch for those who love a good thriller that doesn’t shy away from exposing the raw, often ugly sides of human nature.
‘Presumed Innocent‘ is now streaming on Apple TV+.
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