Season 1 – Defending Jacob

Play trailer

2:32

Apr 2020

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A family's lives are irreparably disrupted when the son is accused of murdering a classmate in this adaptation of William Landay's bestselling novel.

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Critics Consensus

Despite outstanding work from Michelle Dockery and Chris Evans, Defending Jacob stretches its source material too thin, undermining its own rich tension with too much melodramatic padding.

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Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

Jun 1, 2020

The show can drag a bit, but the performances are absolutely great.

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Neal Justin

Minneapolis Star Tribune

May 20, 2020

The ambiguous ending to the eight-part series is a bit frustrating, but it sets the stage for a possible second season.

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Lucy Mangan

Guardian

May 20, 2020

3/5

Approached as a crime drama, Defending Jacob might seem a little slow and underbaked, but as an ensemble character piece it hits the mark.

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M.X. Katyayani

OffColour.org

Jul 20, 2023

3/10

The commercials have been selling Defending Jacob as a crime drama with a new lens. While it certainly doesn’t tread any new ground, it still manages to be a crime drama with an intriguing mystery.

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Mark Meszoros

The News-Herald (Willoughby, OH)

Feb 28, 2021

Defending Jacob feels like a huge miss for Apple TV+.

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Silvina Lamazares

Clarín

Jul 13, 2020

A great Apple TV + production. [Full review in Spanish]

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Cinema S

@cinema_sensei Aug 19, 2026

A gripping family mystery built around one terrifying question: did Jacob really do it? Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery and Jaeden Martell deliver excellent performances, and the uncertainty keeps you invested. The pacing is slow and the eight-episode format feels stretched at times, but the emotional tension and ambiguous ending give it lasting impact.

Maxsuel S

@Maxine191 Feb 11, 2026

Uma série realmente admirável e que prende a atenção,Em defesa de Jacob foi algo que realmente me fez ficar surpreso com o final,boas atuações,destacando a de Jaeden martell que foi realmente admirável dando vida ao personagem, cenário tenso,conflitos e diálogos fortes e um bom enredo,recomendo muito essa série.

Prakhar S

@Prakhar Jan 22, 2026

The worst ending to a show. Killing your son because of a doubt. Disgusting

Louise C

@RT69763679 Dec 3, 2025

The storyline dragged, and the main reason I hung in there, was hoping for some lightnesss to be introduced to the script. Also, I like Chris Evans and Michelle Dockery. Very disappointing to be presented with the so-called ending. What a let down!

Ariana R.

@Ariromero1 Sep 12, 2025

this show was too good: it leaves you wondering in the end did he really do what they say, it’s got hottie chris evan’s, and each episode unfolds new drama that makes you wanna watch the next episode.

Jordan P

@RT30603519 Aug 7, 2025

This show doesn’t value your time. Anything that leaves the ending up to audience interpretation should never be written or filmed.

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Mark Bomback

Creator

Chris Evans

Andy Barber

Michelle Dockery

Laurie Barber

Jaeden Martell

Jacob Barber

Cherry Jones

Joanna Klein

Pablo Schreiber

Neal Logiudice

Episode 1

Aired Apr 24, 2020

Pilot

Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber is assigned as the lead prosecutor in the case of his son's murdered classmate.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Apr 24, 2020

Everything Is Cool

When new evidence is discovered, Andy is taken off the case.

Details

Episode 3

Aired Apr 24, 2020

Poker Faces

Andy admits a family secret to Laurie before it becomes public.

Details

Episode 4

Aired May 1, 2020

Damage Control

Andy takes matters into his own hands; Laurie reexamines the life she knew.

Details

Episode 5

Aired May 8, 2020

Visitors

Andy visits his father and learns some troubling information from Jacob's friends, Derek and Sarah.

Details

Episode 6

Aired May 15, 2020

Wishful Thinking

Andy and Klein explore two last-ditch efforts to prove Jacob's innocence.

Details

Episode 7

Aired May 22, 2020

Job

As the trial begins, Jacob's fate hangs in the balance.

Details

Episode 8

Aired May 29, 2020

After

The trial comes to an end, but with unexpected consequences.

Details

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Defending Jacob: Limited Series Featurette - The Making Of

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Defending Jacob: Limited Series Featurette - Book to Screen

2:44

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Defending Jacob: Limited Series First Look

2:32

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Defending Jacob: Limited Series Trailer

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Creator: Mark Bomback
Executive Producer: Mark Bomback, Morten Tyldum, Adam Shulman, Rosalie Swedlin, Chris Evans
Network: Apple TV
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date: Apr 24, 2020

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Season 1 – Defending Jacob

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