"Presumed Innocent," an eight-part limited series starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a Chicago prosecutor accused of murder, started streaming on Apple+ June 12.
The murder in the series serves as a catalyst for a political battle between two district attorney candidates, with Rusty Sabich portrayed as an unreliable and complex protagonist, rather than a virtuous hero.
The series is a reboot of the 1990 film adaptation of Scott Turow's 1987 novel of the same name, directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Harrison Ford.
David E. Kelley, known for shows like "Ally McBeal" and "Big Little Lies," adapted the novel for the series, while Gyllenhaal serves as star and executive producer.
Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Rusty is smug and narcissistic, showcasing intense legal maneuvering and gameplay.
Changes to the source material provide more agency to female characters, and the series is praised for its adaptation.
The series was filmed in Los Angeles but is set in Chicago, and while well-crafted, some critics found it overlong and unnecessary compared to the original.
Gyllenhaal created a family-like environment on set by surprising his co-stars with treats, according to co-star Kingston Rumi Southwick.
Gyllenhaal had a hand in casting his brother-in-law, Peter Sarsgaard, for a role in the series.
The acting performances, particularly from Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga as Rusty's wife, are highlighted as a strength of the series.
The series is expected to succeed, with strong performances, particularly from Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga as Rusty's wife.
Sources: The Guardian, Mashable, Yahoo News, The Sydney Morning Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, The News, Country & Town House.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
