A lot went wrong withTrue Detectiveseason 2, but the HBO series' Apple TV+ replacement is already seemingly avoiding its biggest mistake. Created by Nic Pizzolatto,True Detectiveseason 1 redefined how audiences perceived the crime drama genre by unfolding the story of two flawed but deeply compelling detectives across various timelines. The opening installment of the series also benefited from Cary Joji Fukunaga’s creative vision, which allowed the show to visually capture Nic Pizzolatto’s brilliant writing.
However, after having an incredible season 1 run,True Detectiveexperienced a major decline in quality with season 2. Even though it still had Pizzolatto at its helm, theoriginal HBO seriesstruggled to retain the almost unanimous acclaim that made its first installment popular. Apple TV+, too, seems to have its own version ofTrue Detective. Fortunately, however, the Apple TV+ show has already overcome the biggest issue that weighedTrue Detectiveseason 2 down.
Unlike True Detective Season 2, Presumed Innocent Season 2 Is Not Casting Too Many Leads
Presumed Innocent Season 2 Only Has One Main Character
WhenPresumed Innocentseason 1 landed on Apple TV+, it only came off as a refreshing take on the 1990 Harrison Ford movie and Scott Turow’s novel of the same name. However, as the show progressed, it was hard not to see how the series qualified as aTrue Detectivereplacement. Like the hit HBO show,Presumed Innocentwalks through two legal professionals' struggles with morality, guilt, and obsession as they set out to find the truth behind a murder.
AfterPresumed Innocentseason 2was announced, it was confirmed that the show would follow an anthology format where its new installment would revolve around a new set of characters. This made the Apple TV+ series even more similar toTrue Detective. Fortunately, though, instead of treading the same path asTrue Detectiveand revolving around too many main characters,Presumed Innocentis simplifying its story in the upcoming installment.It is taking the same anthology route as True Detective, but its season 2 is focusing only on one primary character.
By only having one leading character in its story,Presumed Innocentseason 2 is saving itself from being too convoluted and overcrowded likeTrue Detectiveseason 2.
As reports have confirmed,Presumed Innocentseason 2 will be based on Jo Murray’s upcoming legal thriller,Dissection of a Murder. It will feature a character named Leila Reynolds as its main character, who will be portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan ofThe Marvelous Mrs. MaiselandSupermanfame. By only having one leading character in its story,Presumed Innocentseason 2 is saving itself from being too convoluted and overcrowded likeTrue Detectiveseason 2.
Presumed Innocent’s Anthology Format Is Still Risky After True Detective
Interestingly,Presumed Innocent’s original author, Scott Turow, has written two follow-ups to the original book. While the first sequel,Innocent, focused on Rusty Sabich and Tommy Molto’s torrid relationship, the second one,Presumed Guilty, jumped ahead into the future and followed Rusty’s life after retirement.The Apple TV+ show had the perfect opportunity to retain season 1’s cast and adapt one of Scott Turow’s sequelnovels for season 2. However, it is still taking an anthology approach, which risks diluting the narrative momentum that season 1 has set.
With a talented actress like Rachel Brosnahan as its lead,Presumed Innocentseason 2 has already set itself on the right path to success. The fact that it is not overcrowding its cast with several main characters also seems to help it avoidTrue Detectiveseason 2’s biggest mistake. However, it still holds the challenge of making good use of its limited runtime to tell a well-rounded and conclusive story that avoids riffing too much on season 1’s story beats.
What Presumed Innocent Season 2 Is About
Like Season 1, Presumed Innocent Season 2 Is Also Based On A Book
Apple TV+ and Warner Bros. TV acquired the rights toDissection of a MurderforPresumed Innocentseason 2. Written by Jo Murray,the novel revolves around Leila Reynolds, who lands her first murder case. She realizes she may not even be qualified to handle the high-stakes case, but the defendant only wishes to have her as their representative. Things take an even more twisted turn when it is revealed that Reynolds' husband is the prosecutor. As the case unfolds, Leila not only struggles to prove her client’s innocence but also grapples with the crumbling foundation of her secrets.
Since Jo Murray’sDissection of a Murderis scheduled to go into publication in spring 2026, it seems unlikely thatPresumed Innocentseason 2 will release before mid-2026.
Most other details surroundingPresumed Innocentseason 2 are still under wraps. However, it has been confirmed that David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams, and Jake Gyllenhaal will return as its executive producers. While only time will tell how the show’s next installment will turn out, it makes sense that it is following an anthology format. Since the concept of an individual trying to prove their innocence in a murder case is universal,Presumed Innocenthas the perfect opportunity to dabble with a new case in each season.
Presumed Innocent
An eight-episode limited series based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.
True Detective
Cast
True Detective is an anthology series exploring intricate criminal investigations through multiple timelines. Each season examines dark personal and professional secrets revealed during the course of solving complex cases, highlighting the impact of crime on individuals both within and outside the law enforcement community.
