Welcome to 2024, where we have TV shows adapted from best-selling novels that were previously adapted into wildly popular movies. Yes, everything old is still old but also somehow new again. And yet, that doesn’t mean there is no merit to the new projects, especially when one is discussing Apple TV+’s latest series, the eight-episode legal thriller “Presumed Innocent.”
Adapted from Scott Turow’s 1987 novel by Emmy-winning TV writer and producer David E. Kelley, the limited series — the first two episodes of which are now streaming — stars Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabitch, a Chicago prosecutor accused of murdering his colleague-slash-mistress (BAFTA nominee Renate Reinsve). The “Road House” star brings a familiar intensity to the role, where he squares off against his real-life brother-in-law, Peter Sarsgaard, whose Tommy Molto detests Rusty (and whose desire to see him behind bars may or may not have anything to do with the case at hand). Both men give compelling performances, but the show’s real stars might just be Bill Camp, who portrays Raymond Horgan, Rusty’s best friend and one-time boss, and Ruth Negga, who doesn’t hold back as Rusty’s wife, Barbara. Whether or not you’re acquainted with the novel and/or 1990 film, this new take on “Presumed Innocent” is the awards contender to watch this weekend.
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However, if you’re looking for additional ways to pass the time, other contenders include:
- “The Boys”: Amazon’s Emmy-nominated comic book series returns for its fourth (and officially penultimate) season with Homelander (Antony Starr) on trial for murder and Vought again needing to fill the ranks of the Seven. Bigger problems loom large, though, as Butcher (Karl Urban) continues to deteriorate and Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) finds herself one heartbeat away from the U.S. presidency. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Dean Morgan becomes the latest “Supernatural” star to join the cast and reunite with series creator Eric Kripke after Jensen Ackles and Jim Beaver appeared as Soldier Boy and Robert Singer, respectively. The first three episodes are now streaming on Prime Video.
- “House of the Dragon”: If you still haven’t finished the first season of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” prequel about the warring factions of the blonde Targaryens, you have 48 hours to do so. That is, of course, unless you didn’t like the incest and violence of the show, because in Season 2 you’re going to get a lot more of the same. There is more infighting for the throne, more dragons doing dragon stuff and plenty more twists to come. The Season 2 premiere airs Sunday at 9/8c on HBO and Max.
- “Bridgerton”: The second half of Season 3 picks up immediately after the events of one very memorable carriage ride for Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton). But happy endings aren’t without complications, as the former’s secret identity as the ton’s very own Gossip Girl threatens the foundation of their new relationship, especially once someone else tries to lay claim to Lady Whistledown’s clever missives. All four new episodes of the popular romance are now streaming on Netflix.
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