<em>True Detective</em> experienced a significant decline in quality after season 1, but it appears that its Apple TV replacement will not suffer the same sophomore slump.
In many ways, True Detective was burdened by the weight of its own legacy. Its first season was so remarkable that every subsequent season felt inferior. The HBO show’s second season, in particular, became emblematic of this backlash because it tried too hard to introduce something unique to the crime thriller genre.
While only time will reveal how True Detective season 5 will fare, Apple TV’s response to the HBO series is already demonstrating immense promise.
Presumed Innocent Has The Potential To Become Apple TV’s Answer To True Detective
Presumed Innocent‘s first season was not as flawless and engaging as True Detective‘s opening installment. However, like True Detective, it showcased outstanding performances from A-list actors, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Chase Infiniti, Bill Camp, and Ruth Negga. Even thematically, Presumed Innocent is not primarily driven by an overarching murder mystery.
Instead, similar to True Detective, it illustrates how deeply flawed and morally compromised its central investigators/lawyers are, far removed from the archetypal heroes typically found in crime thrillers.
Much like True Detective, Presumed Innocent is also following an anthology format. Rather than continuing the narrative from season 1, the Apple TV show’s second season is set to introduce an entirely new story with a fresh cast of characters. Like True Detective‘s second season, Presumed Innocent‘s upcoming installment also features a remarkable cast, including Rachel Brosnahan, Matthew Rhys, Courtney B. Vance, and Fiona Shaw.
If Presumed Innocent‘s second season proves to be a worthy successor to its predecessor, the Apple TV series could break the sophomore curse that hindered True Detective‘s legacy after its first season.
Presumed Innocent Upcoming Season Is Already Avoiding True Detective’s Sophomore Mistakes
While True Detective has always embraced original stories, both seasons of Presumed Innocent are based on acclaimed novels. The Apple TV show’s first season loosely adapted Scott Turow’s book of the same name. Similarly, its second season is based on Jo Murray’s Dissection of a Murder. The Jo Murray novel already has an impressive Goodreads score of 4.6 out of 5, which bodes well for the show’s upcoming installment.
Differing from True Detective‘s second season, the next installment of Presumed Innocent is not attempting to deviate too much from its predecessor. Like its first season, the show’s second season will focus on a barrister who faces personal stakes while serving as a suspected murderer’s defense attorney.
Although Apple TV‘s Presumed Innocent is playing it much safer than True Detective, its adherence to the successful formula of season 1 significantly enhances its chances for success in season 2.
