Defending Jacob is Coming to Apple TV+

Apple TV

Beth

Beth is the proud sponsor of two little women and…

Last night, I was scrolling Twitter and saw that Karen posted that she would watch anything with Michelle Dockery in it. As a fan of Downton Abbey and Godless, I concur, but as I watched the first three seconds of the ad for the new series she was posting about, I was incredulous. Michelle Dockery? My dear Karen, Defending Jacob stars Chris Evans. We don’t need to know more than that.

Family is unconditional. @ChrisEvans, Michelle Dockery, and @JaedenMartell are the Barbers. Watch the series premiere of #DefendingJacob April 24 on the Apple TV app: https://t.co/srAbFUovRn pic.twitter.com/1D2irspxMF

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) March 25, 2020

I love a good crime procedural, but I love them even more when the protagonist doesn’t know how to smile above his perfectly groomed beard for eight episodes. Please see my infinite love for Broadchurch as proof.

Based on the novel by William Landay, the story takes place in Newton, Massachusetts, a wealthy suburb of Boston (and just down the road from where Chris Evans is from). Chris helped bring the project to Apple TV and is serving as executive producer. Defending Jacob was MADE for Chris Evans.

The novel summary:

… an embattled family in crisis – a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control.

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Beyond Chris and Michelle, the cast is truly excellent. Cherry Jones, whom you definitely know on sight, if you don’t by name. Famous for The Village, Succession, 24 and more, she’s one of the greatest character and theater actresses ever. There’s also Pablo Schrieber and Sakina Jeffrey, who were both on American Gods. And of course, the incomparable J.K. Simmons.

Watch that trailer again.

Look, I have two teenage daughters – 13 and 15 – and my husband and I are *almost* as cute of parents as Chris and Michelle. I will relate to this story. And I am going to be a basket case watching Defending Jacob.

What about you?