As of July 2025, fans of the gritty anthology crime genre are eagerly awaiting news on True Detective Season 5, with its anticipated 2027 release date still leaving a void for enthusiasts. While the HBO series, renowned for its dark narratives and stellar casts, prepares its next chapter set in Jamaica Bay, New York, viewers have a compelling alternative to tide them over. Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, has returned for a second season, offering a fresh take on the anthology format that mirrors the structure of True Detective. With its successful debut season and a new narrative on the horizon, Presumed Innocent Season 2 promises to deliver another layer of suspense and intrigue, making it the perfect companion for fans awaiting the next installment of the HBO classic.
A Brief Look at True Detective’s Legacy
Since its debut in 2014, True Detective has set a high standard for anthology crime dramas, with its first season—starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson—garnering widespread acclaim for its philosophical depth and atmospheric storytelling. The series’ unique approach, featuring a new cast and storyline each season, has kept audiences hooked, despite the mixed reception to Season 2. Seasons 3 and 4, the latter subtitled Night Country and led by Jodie Foster, revitalized the franchise, with Night Country breaking viewership records and earning multiple Emmy nominations. The announcement of Season 5, under the guidance of showrunner Issa López, has reignited excitement, though its 2027 premiere leaves fans with a two-year wait. This gap provides an opportunity to explore other anthology series, and Presumed Innocent fits the bill perfectly.
Presumed Innocent: A Rising Star in the Genre
Presumed Innocent, based on Scott Turow’s bestselling novel, made its debut on Apple TV+ in 2024, with Jake Gyllenhaal stepping into the role of Rusty Sabich, a chief deputy prosecutor accused of murdering a colleague with whom he had an affair. The eight-episode season explored themes of obsession, guilt, and the fragility of personal relationships, earning a respectable 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. Gyllenhaal’s nuanced performance, balancing Rusty’s moral ambiguity with raw emotional depth, was a highlight, drawing comparisons to the complex characters that define True Detective. The series’ success led to a swift renewal, with Season 2 set to adopt the anthology format, introducing a new story and cast.
Season 2 will adapt Jo Murray’s upcoming novel Dissection of a Murder, scheduled for release in May 2026. This shift moves away from Rusty Sabich’s narrative, instead focusing on Leila Reynolds, a lawyer facing her first murder case, complicated by her husband’s role as the prosecutor. Rachel Brosnahan, known for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, will lead the season, bringing her proven ability to portray multifaceted characters to this legal thriller. This change in direction mirrors True Detective’s approach of refreshing its narrative with each season, though it also echoes the risks taken in True Detective Season 2, which struggled with a new cast and storyline after the iconic Season 1 duo.
Comparing the Two Series
Both True Detective and Presumed Innocent thrive on the anthology model, offering self-contained stories that explore the psychological toll of crime on their protagonists. True Detective’s strength lies in its atmospheric settings—ranging from Louisiana’s swamps to Alaska’s icy expanse—and its focus on detective partnerships unraveling dark secrets. Presumed Innocent, while centered on legal rather than law enforcement perspectives, delves into similar territory, examining how personal flaws and professional pressures intersect during murder investigations. The decision to replace Gyllenhaal with Brosnahan for Season 2 parallels True Detective’s Season 2 gamble of swapping McConaughey and Harrelson for Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch, a move that initially alienated some fans but paved the way for later successes.
Unlike True Detective, which often features multiple timelines and supernatural undertones, Presumed Innocent maintains a more linear narrative, grounding its tension in courtroom drama and familial conflict. However, both series share a commitment to high-caliber acting and intricate plotting. Gyllenhaal’s departure from Presumed Innocent raises questions about the show’s ability to maintain its momentum, much like True Detective faced scrutiny after its second season. Yet, the introduction of Brosnahan, coupled with the creative team of David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams, suggests a promising evolution that could rival the HBO series’ best moments.
Production and Anticipation
Presumed Innocent Season 2 is currently in the early stages of production, with filming expected to begin in the coming months. The shift to a new story and cast has sparked both excitement and debate among viewers, with some on social platforms like X praising the anthology approach as a bold move, while others express nostalgia for Gyllenhaal’s Rusty. The series’ first season benefited from strong production values, with its Chicago settings and tense courtroom scenes adding to the drama. Season 2’s narrative, centered on Leila Reynolds’ moral dilemmas, promises to maintain this quality, potentially offering a fresh perspective on the legal thriller genre.
In contrast, True Detective Season 5’s production is also gearing up, with Issa López crafting a story set in Jamaica Bay, New York. The move to an urban environment marks another departure from the series’ rural and remote past, hinting at a narrative that could explore urban crime networks or political corruption. While no cast has been confirmed, the precedent of star-studded lineups suggests Season 5 will attract top talent. The delay until 2027, however, leaves room for Presumed Innocent to fill the genre void in the interim.
Cultural Context and Viewer Engagement
The resurgence of anthology crime dramas reflects a broader cultural appetite for serialized storytelling that combines standalone narratives with recurring themes. True Detective tapped into this trend early, influencing shows like Presumed Innocent to adopt similar structures. The current global climate, marked by skepticism toward institutions and fascination with true crime, amplifies the appeal of these series, which often portray flawed protagonists navigating systemic failures. On X, fans have drawn parallels between the two shows, with some hailing Presumed Innocent as a potential successor to True Detective’s throne, especially given the latter’s uneven history.
Viewer engagement for Presumed Innocent has been robust, with Season 1’s finale sparking discussions about Rusty’s fate and the show’s legal twists. The announcement of Season 2 has reignited this buzz, with anticipation building around Brosnahan’s performance and the new storyline. Similarly, True Detective’s fanbase remains active, with speculation about Season 5’s connections to Night Country fueling online debates. This shared engagement underscores the genre’s enduring popularity and the potential for Presumed Innocent to carve out its own niche.
What Lies Ahead
As True Detective Season 5 looms on the horizon, its success will depend on López’s ability to balance innovation with the series’ established identity. The Jamaica Bay setting and hinted connections to Night Country suggest a narrative that could tie the anthology’s threads together, though it risks alienating fans if it strays too far from the standalone format. For Presumed Innocent, Season 2 represents a critical test of its anthology credentials. By avoiding the pitfalls of True Detective Season 2—such as an overcrowded cast—and focusing on a single compelling lead, the Apple TV+ series could solidify its standing.
For now, Presumed Innocent Season 2 offers a timely distraction, available to stream on Apple TV+ as production progresses. Whether it can match True Detective’s cultural impact remains to be seen, but its early promise and Gyllenhaal’s legacy provide a strong foundation. As fans await the next chapter of the HBO saga, Presumed Innocent stands ready to deliver its own brand of suspense, proving that the anthology crime genre continues to thrive in the streaming era.
