Apple TV+'s hit legal drama Presumed Innocent has already been renewed for a second season, but this time it will cover a different case. Based on the eponymous novel by Scott Turow, the first season concerns prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal) who finds himself the prime suspect in the murder of a co-worker who he also happened to be having an affair with. Steeped in author Scott Turow's intimate knowledge of the legal system from his years as a lawyer, Presumed Innocent exceeds most legal thrillers by blending realism with sensational twists and turns.

Apple TV+'s series was not the first stab at the popular legal thriller, and Presumed Innocent was previously adapted into a feature film starring Harrison Ford in 1990. However, the series is hardly a simple word for word remake, and concerted efforts were made to modernize Turow's novel both in style and in its approach to sensitive cultural issues. Apple's new approach to the classic story has proven to be a big hit for the streaming platform, and the future of Presumed Innocent was set in stone in July 2024 when the series was green-lit for a sophomore season.

Presumed Innocent Season 2 Latest News

An Update From Author Scott Turow

After it was announced that the second season would depart from the original source material, the latest news comes in the form of an update from author Scott Turow. The Presumed Innocent scribe spoke candidly about why the Apple TV+ series is opting to abandon the world of Rusty Sabich in favor of a new book by Jo Murray. Understanding the logical conflicts found in his follow-up novel, Presumed Guilty, Turow laid out many of the details of the book.

He’s sort of come back to life.

There’s a lot that counts against Aaron [his fiancé's son], and it starts with what all criminal defendants have in common, which is that judges can tell juries whatever they want about a presumption of innocence, but the reality is, everybody knows how our system works. Most people who are accused are guilty, and so jurors come into a courtroom, in that mindset that this guy probably did it. He’s [Rusty] kind of the choice by default, even though I think most people would say representing a soon-to-be family member is a terrible idea. But the law talks about a rule of necessity in some cases where the ordinary rules get set aside. Because there’s no way out of this. And this is a rule of necessity situation.

Giving his blessing on season 2, it's clear that Turow is not upset about the series' choice to leave his books and characters behind in favor of something new. Reflecting on his long career as an author who has been frequently adapted into movies and TV shows, Turow expressed his contentment with his visual media legacy.

I’ve been very well served by both adaptations of ‘Presumed Innocent’ and frankly, by all the other films that have been made from my work. There’s nothing that I’ve sat there and just closed my eyes and gritted my teeth about.

Presumed Innocent Season 2 Is Confirmed

Another Case Is About To Be Opened

In an age of limited series, it's never quite clear which shows are meant to stand alone and which ones can be broadened into an ongoing narrative. Apple TV+ found immediate success with Presumed Innocent when it premiered in June 2024, and it took only a month or so for the streamer to announce plans for a sophomore season. This quick announcement suggests that Apple always had plans for a continuation, but many details about the follow-up are being kept under wraps at this juncture.

This offers some telling clues about when season 2 could potentially arrive, since Murray's book isn't set to be published until spring 2026.

Since the confirmation of season 2, it has been confirmed that the season will adapt Jo Murray's forthcoming book, Dissection of a Murder. This offers some telling clues about when season 2 could potentially arrive, since Murray's book isn't set to be published until spring 2026. Because it's highly unlikely that the show will premiere first (and potentially spoil the book), it likely means that Presumed Innocent season 2 will be a long wait.

Presumed Innocent Season 2 Cast Details

Will Any Original Stars Return?

Though Presumed Innocent season 2 has earned a renewal, Apple has been tight-lipped about the cast of the season. With the premiere season having all the trappings of a one-off story, it's unclear exactly which characters could return. It was assumed that star Jake Gyllenhaal would return as Rusty Sabich, but it has now been confirmed that season 2 will leave Gyllenhaal's lawyer character behind. Furthermore, Tommy Molto actor Peter Sarsgaard has confirmed he won't return.

Jake Gyllenhaal remains attached to Presumed Innocent as a producer.

With some story details revealed, it is now known that the show will follow a new lawyer, Leila Reynolds, who is trying her first murder case. Leila's life is complicated by the fact that the prosecutor on the case is her husband, and her personal secrets become fair game in court. The role of Reynolds hasn't been cast yet, and it will presumably be the leading role. At this stage, its uncertain if existing characters from Presumed Innocent will be added to the story for continuity.

Presumed Innocent Season 2 Story Details

A Brand-New Case For Season 2

Even though Presumed Innocent made changes to the novel, it's clear from Apple's update for season 2 that the murder of Carolyn Polhemus was wrapped up before the end of the debut season. The streamer promised a new case for the sophomore outing, and it was assumed that Turow's follow-up novel, Innocent, would serve as inspiration. However, Apple has instead opted to go in an entirely new direction by picking a different legal thriller author entirely.

Season 2 of Presumed Innocent will adapt Jo Murray's forthcoming novel, Dissection of a Murder, which will arrive in spring 2026. The book follows lawyer Leila Reynolds, who is tasked with trying her first murder case after a client mysteriously asked for her services specifically. To make matters worse, Reynolds' own husband is the prosecutor, and her personal life becomes fair game in the courtroom. It's unclear how Presumed Innocent season 2 will adapt the book, and since the novel hasn't even debuted, its even difficult to speculate beyond the basic plot synopsis.