Why Jake Gyllenhaal probably won’t be in Presumed Innocent Season 2

Apple TV+ has already announced Season 2 of courtroom thriller Presumed Innocent, but if recent rumors are correct, the sequel series won’t feature Jake Gyllenaal.

Season 1 of Presumed Innocent starred Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor who finds himself on trial for the murder of a colleague and former lover. You can find out whether he was guilty or not in our Presumed Innocent ending explainer.

The Apple show was an adaptation of Scott Turrow’s 1987 novel, which was turned into a 1990 movie of the same name, that in turn was followed by a pair of TV movies.

But while the new show is also getting a sequel series, it’s now probable that Gyllenhall won’t return.

Presumed Innocent Season 2 will have a female lead

Season 2 of Presumed Innocent is going in a different direction, being based on a forthcoming book with a female lead. That likely means Jake Gyllenhaal’s Rusty Sabich won’t return.

Apple claims that the show is their most watched drama ever, though while reporting this fact, Variety added that “Apple does not provide viewership information to back up that claim.”

But such success meant a sequel was likely inevitable, and the streamer made the Season 2 announcement on July 12, two weeks before Season 1 concluded.

Since then it’s been pretty quiet in terms of updates, but thanks to a new report on Deadline, we now know what Season 2 will be based on, and what it’s about.

S2 will be based on ‘Dissection of a Murder’

According to the outlet, Season 2 of Presumed Innocent will be based on ‘Dissection of Murder,’ the debut novel from author Jo Murray.

Story centres on Leila Reynolds, a lawyer handling her first murder case, with the official synopsis stating: “she’s way out of her depth but the defendant only wants her – and to make matters worse, her husband is the prosecutor. Soon Leila is fighting to keep her own secrets buried too.”

Pan Macmillan will launch the book in the spring of 2026, so don’t be surprised to see Season 2 of Presumed Innocent dropping at around the same time.

According to Deadline, Apple had been toying with the idea of bringing previous characters back for the new series, but with S2 now based on the work of a different author, it’s unclear if that will happen.

Even if Gyllenhaal doesn’t make an appearance however, he’s still returning to executive produce.

We’ll let you know as-and-when there’s more news about Presumed Innocent S2. Until then, check out our list of the best TV shows of 2024 so far, as well as our pick of shows streaming this month. Or, for more procedural drama, dive into our Suits L.A coverage.