Jake Gyllenhaal is in talks to lead Presumed Innocent, an upcoming Apple TV+ limited series produced by David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams.
Presumed Innocent follows the murder of Carolyn Polhemus and the ensuing chaos in the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office, as one of their own becomes the lead suspect. Gyllenhaal will play attorney Rožat “Rusty” Sabich, Polhemus’s former colleague who’s charged with the crime. The story is told from Sabich’s perspective as he navigates his marriage and legal career, both of which are jeopardised.
Ordered by Apple TV+ back in February, this eight-episode series will be the second adaptation of the 1987 novel of the same name, written by Scott Turow. The first — a 1990 film starring Harrison Ford as Rusty — received largely positive reviews from both critics and audiences. Turow penned a sequel, The Burden of Proof, which later became a two-part miniseries and TV film.
As an actor, Gyllenhaal rose to fame in Donnie Darko in 2001 and Brokeback Mountain in 2005. More recently, he’s starred in a range of crime thrillers, including Zodiac, Prisoners, Nightcrawler and Nocturnal Animals. He’s been both hero (Prisoners) and villain (Spider-Man: Far From Home), masterfully playing psychologically unhinged characters thanks to his “kooky” off-screen persona.
Despite his accolades in film and experiences onstage (London’s West End and New York’s Broadway), Presumed Innocent will be Gyllenhaal’s first leading role in a television series. His existing TV appearances include Homicide: Life on the Street, Man vs. Wild, Inside Amy Schumer and Netflix special, John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch.
David E. Kelley Productions and Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions are to produce the show alongside Warner Bros. Television. Gyllenhaal is an additional executive producer, with original author Turow as a co-executive producer. Other projects from Bad Robot, Warner Bros. and Apple TV+ include Little Voice, Lisey’s Story and Speed Racer.
Gyllenhaal’s other upcoming projects include Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, Doug Liman’s Road House and Sunday in the Park with George at London’s Savoy Theatre.
Apple TV+ has yet to announce a release date for Presumed Innocent.
Words by Katie Kasperson
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