Jake Gyllenhaal looks like he’ll be the latest movie star to make the jump from the silver screen to starring in his own TV series. The Zodiac, Nightcrawler, and Donnie Darko actor is reportedly in talks to star in Presumed Innocent, the limited series being developed for Apple TV+.
The show was first ordered back in February and is set to be an eight-episode series based on Scott Turow‘s 1987 novel of the same name, which follows the murder of Carolyn Polhemus that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorneys’ office when one of its own is suspected of the crime.
The story is told from the point of view of prosecutor and colleague of the murdered, Rožat ‘Rusty’ Sabich, who is charged with the crime. He attempts to keep his marriage intact while also clearing his name. The novel was previously adapted into the 1990 film of the same name starring Harrison Ford.
David E. Kelley, who has created myriad successful TV shows such as Ally McBeal, Big Little Lies, and Nine Perfect Strangers, will showrun the series and also produce it alongside J.J. Abrams and Dustin Thomason.
The latter duo previously worked together on Hulu series Castle Rock, while Abrams has worked with Apple before, helping produce Little Voice and Lisey’s Story.
This actually isn’t the first series based on Presumed Innocent, as miniseries The Burden of Proof was also based on Turow’s novel and aired on ABC in 1992 to cash in on the success of the film, which was one of the top ten highest grossing releases of 1990. The show was nominated for Emmys at the time, but has now been completely forgotten.
Apple have brought out the big guns for this to make sure that doesn’t happen this time around. They clearly expect the show to be a big deal. Gyllenhaal is always compelling, and with a TV veteran like Kelley at the helm, there’s a good chance this becomes the success Apple are hoping it will as they bid to remain competitive in the streaming wars.
#Peace.Love.PresumedInnocent
