Jake Gyllenhaal is no stranger to the crime genre, with turns in “Zodiac,” “Prisoners,” and “Nocturnal Animals.” Now it looks like he’ll return to it for an upcoming Apple TV+ limited series based on a 1987 legal thriller by novelist Scott Turow.
Variety reports that Gyllenhaal is in talks to star in “Presumed Innocent,” based on Turow’s novel of the same name. The series will follow Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a Chicago prosecutor accused of murder who fights to prove his innocence and to keep his life and marriage from falling apart. Apple put in a series order for the project back in February, with David E. Kelley on board to adapt Turow’s novel and serve as showrunner.
What’s more, J.J. Abrams and Dustin Thomasin are also part of the show’s creative team. Abrams co-executive produces with Rachel Rusch Rich through his Bad Robot Productions, with Warner Bros. Television as the studio behind the project. “Presumed Innocent” is the fourth Bad Robot project between Apple TV+, Bad Robot, and WB TV after “Little Voice,” “Lisey’s Story,” and the upcoming “Speed Racer” series. Thomasin, Sharr White, and Gyllenhaal also serve as co-executive producers. Kelley also co-executive produces through David E. Kelley Productions with Matthew Tinker.
“Presumed Innocent” would be Gyllenhaal’s first major TV role if he signs on officially. Recent roles for the actor include Antoine Fuqua‘s “The Guilty” for Netflix last year and Michael Bay‘s latest, “Ambulance.” Up next, Gyllenhaal stars in Guy Ritchie‘s “The Covenant” (which now has an official title) and Doug Liman‘s “Road House” remake.
A limited series with David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams for Apple TV+ would be a grand entrance into TV for Jake Gyllenhaal. Let’s see if he indeed signs on to star in “Presumed Innocent.”