Rachel Brosnahan leads Presumed Innocent season 2 as the acclaimed crime series shifts to an anthology format for Apple TV+. The transition brings Brosnahan, recently cast as Lois Lane in the upcoming Superman film, into the lead role for a new story that will differentiate the show’s second season from its popular debut.
Apple TV+ Welcomes Brosnahan as Lead For Presumed Innocent’s New Chapter
Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan, known for her acclaimed work in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and House of Cards, is set to anchor the next season of Presumed Innocent. The show first adapted Scott Turow’s novel and featured a central performance by Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich—a role previously brought to the big screen by Harrison Ford in 1990. Developed by David E. Kelley, season one earned a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 79% and quickly became a streaming hit for Apple TV+.
The direction for the show is taking an important shift. While season one closed with a major reveal, instead of continuing Rusty Sabich’s story, the series will now mirror the style of other well-known anthology series. The narrative for season two will be drawn from Jo Murray’s forthcoming legal novel Dissection of a Murder, bringing in a fresh mystery and a brand new cast.
Major Changes for Cast and Storyline Following Season One Finale
The decision to cast Brosnahan signals a real expansion for the legal drama, solidifying its anthology status. With the dramatic conclusion to Carolyn Polhemus’s murder arc in season one—featuring Renate Reinsve—fans had speculated about the possibility of a direct follow-up. However, with the narrative shifting, it appears the chapter on Jake Gyllenhaal’s Rusty Sabich is closed, and the focus will move to new characters and storylines.
Given the introduction of Dissection of a Murder as the new source novel, fans should not expect to see returning cast members like Ruth Negga, or cross-over plot elements from the first season. Importantly, the novel that will inspire season two is yet to be released, with a publication targeted for July 2026. This timing hints that season two could debut alongside or just prior to the book’s release, but details are not yet confirmed. Setting could also change dramatically; unless the new season is based in Chicago as before, there may be little overlap in setting or tone.
Brosnahan’s Growing Profile and the Series’ Future Potential
Brosnahan’s casting likely infuses the show with energy and star power that may appeal to a wide audience. Her upcoming high-profile turn as Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman is poised to raise her visibility, building on her six Emmy nominations. As anticipation grows for her blockbuster role, her involvement in Presumed Innocent underscores Apple TV’s confidence in maintaining the drama’s momentum after the departure of cast members like Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga.
While some devoted fans of the original may be disappointed by the shift away from Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, the move towards a new cast and narrative opens the door for Presumed Innocent to establish itself as a lasting legal anthology, drawing in new viewers and offering different perspectives in crime drama each season. With Apple, the cast, and producers like David E. Kelley focusing on expansion and reinvention, this shift could help keep the series fresh and relevant as it adapts from one novelist’s story to another’s.
The significance of this change lies in both Rachel Brosnahan’s rising reputation and the show’s commitment to reinventing itself for future seasons. As Presumed Innocent shifts toward a true anthology format, viewers can expect to see new mysteries, different protagonists, and potentially diverse locations with each new chapter, keeping the crime thriller engaging for both new and returning audiences.
