Summary
Presumed Innocentfollows in the footsteps of many great crime dramas of the past and present, making it easy to relive the drama of the series with the best TV shows of similar genres and themes. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a high-profile criminal prosecutor who is accused of murder,Presumed Innocentbrings up relevant questions about truth and accountability in the judicial system.The series is based on the 1987 book by Scott Turow and received a movie adaptation with Harrison Ford in 1990.
The audience is constantly wondering who to believe and who can be trusted while watchingPresumed Innocent, and this is an essential element of any good crime drama.
The audience is constantly wondering who to believe and who can be trusted while watchingPresumed Innocent, and this is an essential element of any good crime drama.There must be enough red herrings and plot twists for the audience to feel anticipation,but not so many that the narrative arc feels forced.Presumed Innocent’s cast and charactersare a large part of why the show works, and within the comparable series, the importance of the actor’s performances is abundantly clear. A strong story and believable characters are vital to the success of any crime drama.
10Luther (2010–2019)
Idris Elba stars as the titular Luther in this landmark British crime series.
British crime shows are one of the country’s most popular exports, as audiences around the world can’t get enough of the unique style of storytelling within the genre. WhilePresumed Innocentfocuses on the experience of someone accused of a crime,Lutherrevolves around the investigation headed up by the detective, John Luther,who has a unique approach to bringing in the bad guys. Similarly toPresumed Innocent,Lutherdelves into the psychological aspects of detective work and the distinct relationship between a suspect and the person tasked with taking them down.
At the heart of the show is Luther’s complex and violent relationship with the murdered Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), who pushes Luther to give in to his darkest impulses.
One of the best parts ofLutheris the performance of Idris Elba, who anchored the series across every seasonand never wavered in being a relentlessly compelling protagonist. At the heart of the show is Luther’s complex and violent relationship with the murdered Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), who pushes Luther to give in to his darkest impulses. Like Rusty inPresumed Innocent, Luther’s romantic entanglements and obsession with the people in his life are what get him into trouble.
Luther
Cast
Modern-day Sherlock Holmes John Luther, played by Idris Elba, uses his brilliant detective skills to solve murder cases with the unlikely help of murderer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson). The BBC crime thriller aired for five seasons and continued with the 2023 feature film Luther: The Fallen Sun.
9Defending Jacob (2020)
An ADA comes face to face with his troubling past when his son is accused of murder.
Defending Jacobcostars Chris Evans and Jaeden Martell also worked together onKnives Out, the movie mystery series with the upcoming third installment,Wake Up Dead Man. However, in the Apple TV drama, the pair play a father and son alongside Michelle Dockery, who plays Evan’s wife and Martell’s mother.Like Rusty, Evan’s character, Andy, is a lawyer for the governmentand has risen to the rank of Assistant District Attorney. However, his life is turned upside down when Jake (Martell) is accused of murder. This parallels the high-profile accusation that Rusty faces.
Also based on an original book,Defending Jacobhad concrete source material to draw from to tell a cohesive story. This is something thatPresumed Innocentalso benefits from, but both shows do a good job of updating their stories for modern audiences and making discreet changes.The huge conflict of interest of a lawyer being personally involved in a criminal case is the thrust of bothPresumed InnocentandDefending Jacob,and while it’s unlikely that such things would happen in real life, it makes intriguing TV.
8Goliath (2016–2021)
The corruption and struggle for power in legal firms is put on display in this story of redemption.
The moral implications of defending people accused of violent crimes are something that legal dramas frequently explore.
Goliathbreathed a second life into Billy Bob Thorton’s career thanks to his work playing Billy McBride,a disgraced lawyer haunted by his past. The moral implications of defending people accused of violent crimes are something that legal dramas frequently explore. While everyone is innocent until proven guilty and has the right to the best possible defense, McBride leaves his lucrative and high-profile position at a firm he founded after a man he defended kills a family.Goliathpicks up in the wake of this event and McBride’s reaction.
InPresumed Innocent, Rusty attempts to prove his innocence by investigating a defendant he prosecuted to determine if he’s the real murderer. Also consumed by the clients of his past, McBride is shunned from his legal community and has to start fresh. He takes on cases that make him feel like a decent person again. In both shows,what begins as a misunderstanding soon balloons into a conspiracy that pushes the men to their limits.
Goliath
Goliath follows the story of Billy McBride, a once powerful lawyer who finds himself drawn into a wrongful death lawsuit against a formidable corporate adversary. As he and his team delve into the case, they unravel a dangerous conspiracy, leading to a high-stakes courtroom battle.
7Perry Mason (2020–2023)
In this strong reboot of the 1950s drama, crimes of the past are explored with great interest.
Matthew Rhys might be best known for his performance as Phillip in the spy thriller seriesThe Americans, but he established himself as much more than that character inPerry Mason. The original series premiered in 1957 and ran for many seasons, so the 2020 prequel had big shoes to fill.Setting the show in the 1930s and making it a prequel to the original series was a smart move on the part of the creators,as there was nothing new a direct remake of the firstPerry Masoncould achieve.
WatchPerry Masonon Max.
However, even though the latest version was set in the past, it tried to view this period of history with a modern lens. It delved into the social injustices of the 1930s while reveling in the stylistic costumes and sets the story required. As withPresumed Innocentand other successful legal dramas,the recentPerry Masonwent with a more serialized approach.The show sees Perry follow only a few cases per season and connects his personal dramas with the professional issues he faces.
perry mason
Perry Mason is a crime drama created by Ron Fitzgerald and Rolin Jones, starring Matthew Rhys as the titular character. The series tells the story of Perry Mason, a famed defense attorney in 1932 Los Angeles. HBO’s Perry Mason is a reboot of the Raymond Burr starring series Perry Mason, which ran for nine seasons between 1957 and 1966.
6Damages (2007–2012)
Two great lawyers battle against the backdrop of unbelievable legal cases.
For audiences tired of crime and legal dramas being dominated by men,Damagesis the perfect series to watch. Glenn Close and Rose Byrne play a high-powered lawyer and the talented young woman she’s training to follow in her footsteps. Their relationship and the paces Patty (Close) puts Ellen (Byrne) through. The conflict and drama of the series ramp up with each passing season, andthe legal cases that unfold at the center of them all are always thrilling and slowly unravel throughout the season.
ThroughoutDamages, Patty and Ellen are implicated in deaths, accidents, and scandals, and it’s always up to them to use their legal skills to solve the case.
The cases are only the tip of the iceberg inDamages, as Patty and Ellen get involved in the action no matter how hard they try to stay out of it.Damagesemploys flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling methods. The series distinguished itself for this reason, alongside its high drama.Presumed Innocentalso provides brief glimpses into the past to provide context for the caseand gives insight into Rusty’s past. ThroughoutDamages, Patty and Ellen are implicated in deaths, accidents, and scandals, and it’s always up to them to use their legal skills to solve the case.
Damages
Damages is a crime drama series that aired on FX for five seasons before ending in 2012. Damages centers on Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), who is a well-known lawyer, and her new protege Ellen Parsons, played by Rose Byrne. Each season centers on a new case for the law firm while also developing Patty and Ellen’s relationship.
30 Best Lawyer Shows & Legal Dramas Of All Time, Ranked
The very best lawyer shows and legal dramas are the ones that go further than the procedural nature of the genre and take some major risks.
5Better Call Saul (2015–2022)
Bob Odenkirk gave one of the best performances of his career in the prequel ofBreaking Bad,Better Call Saul. Hisbest quotes as Saul Goodman inBetter Call Saulall demonstrate how effectively the series portrays legal work and accurate depictions of courtroom scenes.Better Call Saulwas universally praised for how true to life its cases were and how Saul/Jimmy handled his workload as a real lawyer would. However,like Rusty, Saul can’t stay out of trouble for long and soon starts providing legal counsel for criminals,as he does inBreaking Bad.
Though he isn’t implicated in a high-profile murder,it doesn’t take long for Saul to get in too deep with his criminal contacts and for the lines between right and wrong to start blurring.This is similar to the slow descent into anxiety and fear that Rusty faces inPresumed Innocentduring his affair and later throughout the process of his arrest. Gaining insight into the illegal activities that happen behind the scenes in major cases is a compelling angle for each series.
Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul follows small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the legal world to make ends meet. The series, set six years before his encounter with Walter White, chronicles Jimmy’s evolution into Saul Goodman, with notable interactions alongside fixer Mike Ehrmantraut.
4How To Get Away With Murder (2014–2020)
Viola Davis is powerful and poignant in a legal series that weaves an intricate web of lies and betrayals.
Though the series begins with strong ties to murder and key investigations into the characters' connections to violent acts, it slowly moves away from it as the series draws to a close.
Viola Davis plays Annalise Keating, a law professor who falls deeper into a conspiracyinHow To Get Away With Murder. LikePresumed Innocentand other effective legal dramas,How To Get Away With Murderuses flashbacks to both provide key information to the viewer and make them question the identity of the killer. Though the series begins with strong ties to murder and key investigations into the characters' connections to violent acts, it slowly moves away from it as the series draws to a close.
By season 5, Annalise’s biggest arc is her work as an attorney, and the murder the story revolves around takes a bit of a back seat.Annalise is similar to Rusty inPresumed Innocent, as they both have difficulties with their spouses and come into conflict with their coworkers,but Annalise is a more compelling character overall. Both Davis and Gyllenhaal are esteemed actors who give great performances, but the role of Annalise gives Davis more to work with in terms of depth.
How to Get Away With Murder
A new part of the Shonda Rhimes Shondaland productions, How to Get Away With Murder is a crime drama series created for ABC and starring Viola Davis. When law professor Annalise Keating’s (Davis) interns become involved with a murder that shakes the university and firm, the group will find themselves in an ever-spiraling saga of lies, deceit, and intrigue. The show’s format focuses on slowly unearthing the truth behind murders, all while complicated clients and cases arrive for the law firm to handle.
3Sugar (2024–)
A throwback to classic Hollywood film Noirs with a science fiction twist.
The twist at the heart ofSugarhas to be seen to be believed, but the sci-fi elements of the series work surprisingly well despite the misdirection of the initial premise.LikePresumed Innocent, the aesthetics and atmosphere of the show are of the highest quality,as they’re both produced by Apple TV+. ThoughPresumed Innocentopts for a darker and more gritty approach, andSugarleans into the technicolor magic of Hollywood, their distinctive visual choices distinguish them from the other crime dramas that can be found on television.
Colin Farrell and Gyllenhaal each anchor their respective series and take on roles similar to an anti-hero but with more interesting secrets. Though the genre differences between the respective stories are stark, the tone ofSugaris aligned more closely withPresumed Innocentthan other sci-fi offerings.As Chicago is at the heart ofPresumed Innocentand is vital to its narrative, the same is true for Los Angeles inSugar,as old Hollywood movies play a key role in Sugar’s (Farrell) investigation.
Sugar
“Sugar” is a contemporary, unique take on one of the most popular and significant genres in literary, motion picture and television history: the private detective story. Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell stars as John Sugar, an American private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel. As Sugar tries to determine what happened to Olivia, he will also unearth Siegel family secrets; some very recent, others long-buried.
2Broadchurch (2013–2017)
David Tennant and Olivia Coleman play foils with amazing chemistry in this devastating series.
In one ofDavid Tennant’s best roles other than the DoctorinDoctor Who, he plays DI Alec Hardy, who comes to the remote village of Broadchurch. It’s there he meets DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman), who initially resents Hardy because she was passed over for the position he received. However,they’re immediately forced to work together when a young boy is murdered, turning the dynamic of the tight-knit community upside down.As Miller and Hardy slowly close in on the killer in season 1, the twists and turns make the final reveal unbelievable.
The question of how well a person can ever know their spouse and the secrets people keep from those closest to them are constantly explored in crime dramas.
As the seasons progress, Miller’s relationship with the murdered becomes a central point of contention,mirroringPresumed Innocent’s inherent conflict between Rusty and his wife. The question of how well a person can ever know their spouse and the secrets people keep from those closest to them are constantly explored in crime dramas. A lie’s emotional impact and the long-lasting effects grief and deception have on interpersonal relationships and community dynamics are paramount inBroadchurchandPresumed Innocent.
Broadchurch
Broadchurch: Set in a small coastal town, Broadchurch follows the intense investigation into the murder of a young boy, as the case draws significant media attention and threatens the fabric of the close-knit community.
8 Most Unforgettable Courtroom Scenes In TV Shows
Only the best courtroom scenes on TV grip the audience, leaving them speechless through incredible legal work and high-stakes conflict.
1The Killing (2011–2014)
The Killing takes the crime procedural format and turns it all the way up in the American iteration.
The Killingwas a Danish show that received great acclaim, so an American version was developed for U.S. audiences with a similar premise and atmosphere.Set in Seattle,The Killinguses the gloomy and rainy environment to its benefit,leaning into the drama and fear of what happens in the dark. Though the series utilizes classic formulaic elements of a traditional crime procedural, the series is much more than that and is focused on season-long investigations rather than episodic ones.
WatchThe Killingon Hulu or AMC+.
ThoughThe Killingstruggled somewhat to maintain high viewership throughout its four seasons, its dedicated fanbase was part of the reason it was able to have a satisfying conclusion. LikePresumed Innocent,The Killingdelves into what happens when a community is shaken by loss and turns on their own, fearing for themselves and their loved ones. The characters and investigators in the series can’t help getting overly involved in their cases throughout the show.
Presumed Innocent
An eight-episode limited series based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.
