There is much speculation surrounding the origins of Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent, a slow-burn thriller. The series centers around the shocking murder of Carolyn Polhemus, a colleague at the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office. The story takes a personal and scandalous turn when Rusty Sabich, the chief deputy prosecutor, becomes the prime suspect in the brutal crime.
Sabich is currently embroiled in both a personal and legal struggle, as he must prove his innocence against allegations of an illicit affair with Polhemus. This complex situation has the potential to greatly disrupt Sabich’s career and personal wellbeing.
Presumed Innocent: Fact or Fiction?
While the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office is known for its realistic portrayal, it should be noted that Presumed Innocent is not a true story. Instead, it draws inspiration from Scott Turow’s 1987 novel.
Which Scott Turrow Novel is it Inspired From?
Presumed Innocent is an adaptation of Scott Turow’s novel published in 1987, which is considered a seminal work in the legal thriller genre. The in-court scenes are incredibly authentic, thanks to Turow’s firsthand experience as a practicing lawyer. He expertly weaves a gripping and detailed scenario that adds to the book’s overall intensity.
The book Presumed Innocent stands out not just for its gripping plot, but also for its profound psychological analysis of the characters. This novel’s triumphant reception from both critics and readers solidified Turow’s reputation as a leading and influential author in the genre, combining his legal knowledge with captivating storytelling.
Are there any other adaptations available?
Over thirty years prior to Jake Gyllenhaal’s new pulp crime show, Turow’s book was turned into a film with the same title in 1990. The movie, directed by Alan J. Pakula and featuring Harrison Ford as Rusty Sabich, remained faithful to the source material and effectively captured the dark tone and intricate plot twists of the novel.
Ford’s portrayal of Sabich received critical acclaim for its finesse and depth, effectively conveying the character’s battle for redemption amidst mounting evidence of his guilt.
Notable contributions were also made by Brian Dennehy as Prosecuting Attorney Raymond Horgan, Bonnie Bedelia as Sabich’s wife Barbara, and Raúl Juliá as the astute defense attorney Sandy Stern.
Despite some critics acknowledging the challenge of adapting a finely detailed novel into a two-hour film, Presumed Innocent received praise for its clever script, atmospheric direction, and strong performance. It was widely regarded as a faithful and successful adaptation of Turow’s work.
Presumed Innocent
The highly anticipated American legal thriller miniseries, Presumed Innocent, was created by David E. Kelley and is based on Scott Turow’s 1987 novel of the same name. The series debuted on Apple TV+ on June 12, 2024.
A prosecutor is suspected of being the main perpetrator in the killing of one of his colleagues.
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