Will Jake Gyllenhaal’s exit set up a risk Apple TV+ might regret in Presumed Innocent Season 2? Here’s what we think

When Presumed Innocent dropped on Apple TV+ in June 2024, a lot of people tuned in, not just for the legal drama, but because Jake Gyllenhaal was leading it as Rusty Sabich. His intense performance and all the courtroom twists really hooked viewers.

The formula worked. The show ended up being Apple’s biggest drama debut of the year. So, of course, it got renewed pretty quickly. But here’s the twist: instead of continuing the story with Gyllenhaal or adapting the original author’s sequels, the creators decided to switch things up.

David E. Kelley is turning it into an anthology, meaning Presumed Innocent Season 2 will be a new case with different characters. The show’s taking inspiration from Jo Murray’s Dissection of a Murder, and Rachel Brosnahan is stepping in as the new lead.

But that big change brings up a tricky question: Is Apple TV+ letting go of its strongest asset too soon? Or are they being smart and setting up the series to last longer by making it flexible from the start?

Keep reading to find out what this means for the acclaimed TV series.

What Jake Gyllenhaal’s exit from Presumed Innocent Season 2 could mean for the show’s future

Jake Gyllenhaal wasn’t just the face of Presumed Innocent Season 1. He was also one of the executive producers and the biggest reason people tuned in. Viewers got hooked on Rusty Sabich’s emotional unraveling, and critics couldn’t stop talking about Gyllenhaal’s gripping performance.

The show also helped Apple TV+ finally break into the same league as HBO and Netflix when it comes to prestige legal dramas. Removing him from Season 2 severs that built-in connection and risks the "sophomore slump" phenomenon critics cite when a breakout show stumbles in year two.

There’s a lesson to be learned from the past. Back in 2015, True Detective swapped out Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson for a new all-star cast, but it didn’t land well. The second season scored just 47 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, less than half of what Season 1 got, with viewers saying the story was confusing and the new characters didn’t click.

That rough patch stuck with the show’s reputation for years until Seasons 3 and 4 slowly won people back. By going the anthology route, Presumed Innocent could run into the same issues: fans feeling disconnected, constant comparisons to the first season, and possibly losing viewers if initial curiosity doesn’t turn into real interest.

Also Read: Presumed Innocent Ending explained: Who was the killer in the Apple TV+ drama?

Can Rachel Brosnahan win over viewers in Presumed Innocent Season 2?

If you must replace an A-lister, finding someone of equal wattage is vital. Apple didn’t skimp: Rachel Brosnahan, fresh off her five-season run as Midge Maisel (and newly cast as Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman reboot), will headline season 2 and also serve as an executive producer.

The actress will play Leila Reynolds, a rookie defense attorney handed a seemingly unwinnable case after a revered judge is murdered. One thing season 2 has going for it is its tighter focus. Unlike True Detective Season 2, which juggled too many leads, this one centers entirely on Rachel Brosnahan’s character.

The timing also works in Apple’s favor. Filming starts in late 2025, so the show probably won’t return until 2026, just enough time for fans to miss it. And since the book it’s based on won’t be out until then either, most viewers will go in blind, which helps keep things fresh.

Still, it’s a gamble. If Season 2 doesn’t land, people will blame the anthology shift. But if Brosnahan delivers, Presumed Innocent could follow the path of American Horror Story and prove that changing cast and stories can keep a series exciting.

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Also Read: What happened to Tommy Molto in Presumed Innocent? Character’s fate explored

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