Presumed Innocent
Overview
Presumed Innocent is a 2024 legal thriller television series created by David E. Kelley for Apple TV+, based on the 1987 novel by Scott Turow. The series stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a chief deputy prosecutor in Chicago who is accused of murdering his colleague and lover, Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve). The series is set in the high-pressure world of the Chicago District Attorney's office. Rusty is a brilliant, ambitious, and respected prosecutor. He is married to Barbara (Ruth Negga), a loving wife, and they have a teenage daughter, Jaden (Chase Infiniti). He is also having an affair with Carolyn, a beautiful, ruthless, and ambitious prosecutor. Carolyn is found dead in her apartment, brutally murdered. The evidence points to Rusty: his fingerprints are at the scene, his DNA is on her body, and he has a motive (she was about to end the affair). Rusty is arrested and put on trial. The series follows the trial, and the investigation into Carolyn's murder. Rusty is defended by his friend, Sandy Stern (Bill Camp), a brilliant defense attorney. The prosecutor is his former colleague, Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard), who has a grudge against Rusty. The series is a classic courtroom drama, with twists and turns that keep the audience guessing. The series ends with a twist: Rusty's wife, Barbara, killed Carolyn. She discovered the affair, and she lured Carolyn to her house and murdered her. Rusty is acquitted, but he is destroyed. Presumed Innocent was a critical success, praised for its performances, its writing, and its suspenseful plotting. It was nominated for several Emmy Awards. The series is a gripping and intelligent legal thriller.
