<em>True Detective</em> has yet to find a fitting successor, but the storyline of Apple TV+‘s legal thriller in its second season indicates it may be on the right track toward achieving that goal. More than ten years after its debut, the first season of True Detective is still hailed as one of the most captivating detective dramas ever produced. The initial season set an extraordinarily high standard with its intricate narrative, character developments, outstanding performances, and masterful direction, a brilliance that none of the following seasons have managed to replicate.

While the first season of True Detective remains unparalleled, some of the later entries in the HBO anthology series still serve as noteworthy contributions to the crime thriller genre. Thanks to True Detective‘s distinctive storytelling style and its capacity to present multiple self-contained, rich narratives within the crime thriller genre, it is fair to assert that it can never truly be replaced. However, after examining the storyline of Apple TV+’s legal drama in its second season, it is difficult not to recognize how closely it could approach the heights of True Detective in various aspects.

Presumed Innocent Season 2 Will Explore a New Narrative Rather Than Adapting Scott Turow’s Original Book Sequels

The Apple TV+ Series Will Adapt A Fresh Novel In Its Upcoming Second Season

When the announcement of Presumed Innocent season 2 was made, many fans anticipated that this new installment would serve as a direct continuation featuring several familiar characters. The first season of Presumed Innocent, akin to the 1990 film starring Harrison Ford, is rooted in Scott Turow’s acclaimed novel. Given that the original book has two sequels, Innocent and Presumed Guilty, it seemed logical for the series to draw from one of these narratives for its next season. However, to the surprise of many, Turow himself confirmed (via The Wrap) that the upcoming season will not be based on any of the original book sequels.

Instead, as reported (via Deadline), Presumed Innocent season 2 will adapt Jo Murray’s gripping novel Dissection of a Murder. This new narrative centers around Leila Reynolds, who embarks on her first murder case. Similar to Jake Gyllenhaal’s character from season 1, she finds herself increasingly conflicted when the defendant in her case reaches out for her assistance. Matters intensify when she discovers that her husband is the prosecutor in the case, gradually unveiling her own hidden secrets and complexities.

Based on the narrative of the new book, Presumed Innocent season 2 is set to introduce a new female protagonist along with an entirely new array of characters and cast members. Had the show chosen to adapt Scott Turow’s Innocent, it would have predominantly revolved around Peter Sarsgaard’s character, Tommy Molto. Nevertheless, since Sarsgaard had previously indicated that he was “not doing sequels,” the series could never have adapted the sequel’s storyline. Additionally, Innocent is set two decades after the events of the first book, which would have posed further challenges for adaptation.

Given these considerations, it is understandable that Presumed Innocent is opting for an entirely new storyline and embracing an anthology format rather than following the narrative of season 1. This intriguing approach aligns the show with True Detective in several respects, paving the way for it to potentially become a worthy successor to the acclaimed HBO series.

The Anthology Format of Presumed Innocent Positions It As A Strong Contender To Replace True Detective

Presumed Innocent May Embrace Similar Narrative Strategies In Future Installments

By adopting an anthology structure instead of continuing the storyline from season 1, Presumed Innocent mirrors the narrative strategy employed by True Detective. Although the first season of Presumed Innocent may not have achieved the same level of excellence as True Detective‘s inaugural season, it shares numerous thematic and structural similarities with the HBO series. Both shows delve into the complexities of male protagonists in their respective first seasons, portraying their struggles to unravel intricate murder mysteries while confronting personal demons and complicated family dynamics that threaten to undermine their investigations.

The concluding episodes of both True Detective and Presumed Innocent also showcase the protagonists’ journeys toward self-discovery in their pursuit of justice, ultimately finding a sense of resolution in their fractured familial relationships. The decision by Presumed Innocent to reboot the narrative in its second season by introducing a new female lead’s quest for truth surrounding a murder echoes True Detective‘s anthology framework. While it may still be premature to label the Apple TV+ series as a definitive replacement for True Detective, it will be fascinating to observe how its second season stacks up against the HBO series’ various installments.