Defending Jacob (2020)
A tense Apple TV+ miniseries that puts family loyalty on trial when a prosecutor's teenage son is accused of murder.
Defending Jacob - Series Information
- Original Title: Defending Jacob
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Mark Bomback
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 24, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), April 24, 2020 (Canada - 18+), April 24, 2020 (United Kingdom - 15), April 24, 2020 (Germany - 12), April 24, 2020 (France - 12), April 24, 2020 (India - A), April 24, 2020 (New Zealand - M), April 24, 2020 (Australia - M), April 24, 2020 (Brazil - 16), April 24, 2020 (Mexico - C)
- Networks: Apple TV
- Alternative Titles: להגן על ג׳ייקוב (IL), Да защитиш Яаков (BG), L'affaire Jacob Barber (FR), Defending Jacob (MX), 디펜딩 제이콛 (KR), 捩衛雅各 (TW), Defending Jacob (AR), 捩卫雅各布 (CN)
- Production Companies: Anonymous Content, Mimir Films, Mark Bomback Productions, Paramount Television Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
Defending Jacob - Plot
A family's lives are irreparably disrupted when the 14-year-old son is accused of murdering a fellow classmate.
Defending Jacob - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold from the very first episode:
Family is unconditional.
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Defending Jacob - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mark Bomback
Main Cast
- Chris Evans
- Jaeden Martell
- Michelle Dockery
- Cherry Jones
- Pablo Schreiber
- J.K. Simmons
- Daniel Henshall
- Betty Gabriel
- Sakina Jaffrey
- Jordan Alexa Davis
Writers
- Mark Bomback
Executive Producers
- Rosalie Swedlin
- Chris Evans
- Adam Shulman
- Morten Tyldum
- Mark Bomback
Defending Jacob - FAQs
Is Defending Jacob based on a true story?
Defending Jacob is not based on a true story. It is adapted from William Landay's 2012 bestselling novel of the same name. The story is entirely fictional, though it draws on realistic legal and psychological themes surrounding family loyalty, guilt, and the criminal justice system.
What is the ending of Defending Jacob explained?
In the finale, Jacob's murder charge is dropped after another suspect confesses. However, Laurie, overwhelmed by doubt about Jacob's innocence, drives them both off a cliff. Jacob survives but is left in a coma. Andy faces a grand jury, and Jacob's true guilt remains deliberately and hauntingly unresolved.
Where can you stream Defending Jacob?
Defending Jacob is available to stream on Apple TV+. It can also be accessed through the Apple TV Amazon Channel. As an Apple Original production, Apple TV+ remains the primary platform where all eight episodes of this limited miniseries are available to watch.
Who are the main actors in Defending Jacob?
The series stars Chris Evans as prosecutor Andy Barber, Jaeden Martell as his accused son Jacob, and Michelle Dockery as mother Laurie Barber. The supporting cast includes Cherry Jones, Pablo Schreiber, J.K. Simmons, Daniel Henshall, Betty Gabriel, Sakina Jaffrey, and Jordan Alexa Davis.
How many episodes does Defending Jacob have?
Defending Jacob consists of 8 episodes across a single season. It was produced as a limited miniseries with no additional seasons planned. All eight episodes were released on Apple TV+ beginning April 24, 2020, with new installments arriving on a weekly basis throughout the run.
Was Defending Jacob well received by critics?
Defending Jacob earned strong critical praise, particularly for Chris Evans's dramatic performance, which many reviewers called a career-best turn. Critics highlighted the taut pacing, moral complexity, and compelling family dynamics. The series holds favorable scores on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, resonating with both audiences and press.
What is Defending Jacob about?
Defending Jacob follows Andy Barber, a Massachusetts assistant district attorney whose world collapses when his 14-year-old son Jacob is accused of murdering a classmate. The series examines how the accusation fractures the family, tests loyalties, and forces Andy to confront unsettling truths about those he loves most.
Who created and wrote Defending Jacob?
Defending Jacob was created and written entirely by Mark Bomback, who adapted the screenplay from William Landay's 2012 novel. Bomback served as sole writer across all eight episodes. The series was directed by Morten Tyldum, who also executive produced alongside Chris Evans and Rosalie Swedlin.
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