True Detective experienced a massive decline in quality after season 1, but it looks like its Apple TV replacement will not face the same sophomore slump.
In a lot of ways, True Detective was crushed by the weight of its own legacy. Its first installment was so incredible that every season that followed felt subpar. The HBO show’s season 2, especially, became the poster child for this backlash because it tried a little too hard to bring something distinct to the crime thriller genre.
While only time will tell how True Detective season 5 will turn out, Apple TV’s answer to the HBO show is already showing immense potential.
Presumed Innocent Has The Potential To Become Apple TV’s Answer To True Detective
Presumed Innocent‘s season 1 was not as flawless and compelling as True Detective‘s opening installment. However, like True Detective, it featured incredible performances from A-list actors, like Jake Gyllenhaal, Chase Infiniti, Bill Camp, and Ruth Negga. Even from a thematic standpoint, Presumed Innocent is not primarily driven by an overarching murder mystery.
Instead, like True Detective, it shows how deeply damaged and morally compromised its central investigators/lawyers are, far from the archetypal heroes in crime thrillers.
Similar to True Detective, Presumed Innocent is also walking down the anthology route. Instead of continuing season 1’s story, the Apple TV show’s season 2 is all set to begin a whole new story, featuring a new set of characters. Like True Detective season 2, Presumed Innocent’s upcoming installment also boasts an impressive cast, including Rachel Brosnahan, Matthew Rhys, Courtney B. Vance, and Fiona Shaw.
If Presumed Innocent season 2 turns out to be a worthy follow-up to its predecessor, the Apple TV show could break the sophomore curse that held True Detective back from cementing its legacy after season 1.
Presumed Innocent Upcoming Season Is Already Avoiding True Detective’s Sophomore Mistakes
While True Detective has always adopted original stories, both Presumed Innocent seasons are based on acclaimed books. The Apple TV show’s season 1 loosely adapted Scott Turow’s book of the same name. Similarly, its season 2 is based on Jo Murray’s Dissection of a Murder. The Jo Murray novel already boasts an impressive Goodreads score of 4.6/5, which favors the show’s upcoming installment.
Unlike True Detective season 2, Presumed Innocent‘s next installment is also not trying to be too different from its predecessor. Like season 1, the show’s season 2 will also focus on a barrister who will end up facing personal stakes while serving as a suspected murderer’s defendant.
Although Apple TV‘s Presumed Innocent is playing it far safer than True Detective, its reliance on season 1’s hit formula significantly improves the odds of its success in season 2.
