Summary

• Apple TV+ thriller "Presumed Innocent" is not based on a true story, but a work of fiction adapted by David E. Kelley.
• The show delves into themes of obsession and betrayal, following Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rusty Sabich's personal turmoil.
• Originally a book by Scott Turow, "Presumed Innocent" was also adapted into a 1990 movie starring Harrison Ford.

Many wonder whether Apple TV+'s slow-burn thriller Presumed Innocent is based on a true story. The Apple TV+ original show revolves around the brutal murder of Carolyn Polhemus, a colleague at the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's office. The case becomes intensely personal and scandalous when Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rusty Sabich is accused of the crime. Sabich, who had an illicit affair with Polhemus, must now navigate a treacherous legal and personal landscape to prove his innocence. As the investigation unfolds, Sabich's life unravels both professionally and personally.

The Presumed Innocent's reviews have been mixed, it has been praised for its in-depth character development and suspenseful story. Viewers have thus questioned whether it might be based on a true story.

Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent Is Not Based On A True Story

Its Story Is Entirely Fictional

The Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's office is grounded in realism and its portrayal is fairly authentic, leading to the question of whether it is inspired by a real-life story. However, Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent is not based on true events. Rather, it is a work of fiction written and created by David E. Kelley, the creator of multiple procedurals such as L.A. Law and Chicago Hope, and directed by Greg Yaitanes and Anne Sewitsky. Presumed Innocent is adapted from elsewhere, however.

Presumed Innocent Is Based On Scott Turow's 1987 Book

The Novel Was A Huge Critical And Commercial Success

Presumed Innocent is based on a 1987 novel of the same title by Scott Turow. It was a seminal book in the legal thriller genre: a practicing lawyer himself, Turow brought unparalleled authenticity to the courtroom scenes, weaving a narrative that is both gripping and meticulously detailed. The Presumed Innocent book is notable not only for its suspenseful plot, but also for its deep psychological insights into its characters. The novel's critical and commercial success helped establish Turow as a major voice in the genre for blending legal expertise with compelling fiction.

Before Jake Gyllenhaal's Presumed Innocent Show, The Book Was Adapted For A 1990 Movie

The Movie Starred Harrison Ford as Rusty Sabich

Over three decades before Jake Gyllenhaal's new crime show, Turow's book was adapted into a movie in 1990, also with the same title. Directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Harrison Ford as Rusty Sabich, the film stayed largely faithful to the source material, capturing the novel's intense atmosphere and intricate plot twists. Ford's portrayal of Sabich was widely acclaimed for its depth and subtlety, adding a compelling dimension to the character's struggle for vindication amidst mounting evidence of his guilt.

Critics and audiences alike commended the movie's intelligent script, atmospheric direction, and strong performances.

The movie adaptation of the book also included notable performances from Brian Dennehy as Prosecuting Attorney Raymond Horgan, Bonnie Bedelia as Sabich’s wife Barbara, and Raúl Juliá as the astute defense attorney Sandy Stern. Critics and audiences alike commended the movie's intelligent script, atmospheric direction, and strong performances. While some critics noted the challenge of condensing the novel's detailed narrative into a two-hour film, the Presumed Innocent movie was largely seen as a successful and faithful representation of Turow's work.