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 how this show is like Presumed 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 Innocent stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor who unexpectedly becomes a suspect in the murder of his co-worker. 2024’s Presumed Innocent is not based on a true story but is inspired by Scott Turow’s 1987 novel. The story was first adapted into a 1990 movie starring Harrison Ford. Presumed Innocent has eight episodes in total and boasts a star-studded cast and crew. So far, its Rotten Tomatoes score is resting at a strong 77%.

Chris Evans’ Defending Jacob Is Another Legal Thriller Based On A Book

How Presumed Innocent & Defending Jacob Connect

As I delve into Defending Jacob, you can spot the key connections I picked up while watching Presumed Innocent. Released four years ago in 2020, Defending Jacob is a legal drama starring Chris Evans. Evans plays Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber, who discovers that his 14-year-old son might be a murderer. Defending Jacob’s story is based on the 2012 book of 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.

Side by side, I can’t help but see how Presumed Innocent and Defending Jacob resemble each other. They are both legal thrillers based on books with 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

While Presumed Innocent and Defending Jacob’s stories 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 the Presumed Innocent and Defending Jacob cast.

Rusty Sabich and Andy Barber each have wives on their respective TV shows. In Presumed Innocent, it is Ruth Negga. In Defending Jacob, it is Michelle Dockery. Both actresses are from the UK and got their start in the theater in the early 2000s. Where Presumed Innocent includes stars like Bill Camp and Renate Reinsve, Defending Jacob boasts 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 way Presumed Innocent and Defending Jacob are intertwined.

Family Being Unsure Of The Accused’s Innocence Is A Common Theme

Presumed Innocent & Defending Jacob Explore Innocence Vs. Guilt

Small details aside, Presumed Innocent and Defending Jacob’s biggest commonality is their shared themes. I believe innocence vs. guilt is the most important idea here. In Presumed 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, in Defending 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 Innocent and Defending Jacob both explore the concept of what a loved one believes after a murder accusation. Where Presumed Innocent offers the perspective of the accused, Defending Jacob centers 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.

Overall, I think this is one important difference that makes the show’s similarities all the better. Presumed Innocent and Defending Jacob have 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 Innocent and Defending Jacob are 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 think Presumed Innocent and Defending Jacob should 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 Innocent and Defending Jacob are well worth the watch.