10 Shows Like Presumed Innocent: Binge-Worthy Chaos

When you sit down to binge-watch your fave show, what’s typically on the screen? Do you enjoy the scandal and luxury that comes with shows about rich people? Or are you tuning into high-energy, high-stakes family drama with TV shows like Shameless? What about the shows that make you feel like you’re solving murders from the comfort of your own couch? (AKA, justice but make it cozy.)

Chances are, no matter what your go-to picks are, crime shows make the cut. There’s a reason why it’s the most popular genre across the country—people will always crave twisty suspense and jaw-dropping moments. And at the heart of all the legal dramas and intense thrillers, Presumed Innocent ranks pretty high on our list of favorites. The storytelling, suspense, and complexity of themes? Chef’s kiss.

But as soon as we finished watching, we needed more. That’s why today, we’re sharing our list of shows that share tons of similarities to Presumed Innocent. So, sit back, grab your popcorn, and get ready—these options are as intense as they are captivating.

10 Shows Like Presumed Innocent: Binge-Worthy Chaos

The world loves a good crime show, and we totally get it. What other genre gives us mystery, suspense, fear, and excitement all in one? Presumed Innocent keeps you second-guessing everything, creating a slow-build tension piece by piece until it all clicks into place in the finale. Ugh, so good. 

But before we dive straight into the recs, we have to give you a quick refresh on what Presumed Innocent is all about. Otherwise, how else are you supposed to know how well the other shows compare? If you haven’t tuned in yet, we won’t throw in any spoilers—promise! We’ll just explain the show at its core so it’s easier to understand why we picked the lineup we did.

What Is Presumed Innocent About?

Presumed Innocent is a legal thriller that follows Rusty Sabich (played by the iconic Jake Gyllenhaal), chief deputy prosecutor in Kindle County. He’s a respected member of the team, known for upholding justice in the country for years. (Like, almost 40 years, to be exact.) His reputation was pristine until he was accused of murdering his colleague, Carolyn Polhemus. Oh, did we mention he was also having an affair with her?

What follows is an intense and suspenseful journey through the justice system where nothing is as it seems. Rusty hires his former boss, Raymond Horgan, to defend him, leading to unique challenges with all of Rusty’s former colleagues. (As you’d assume, right? Imagine your attorney coworker got accused of murder—you’d be pretty standoff-ish, too!). Think: intense courtroom scenes, private internal battles, and secrets and lies unraveling without warning. 

Presumed Innocent is such an addictive series because it’s SO layered. As a viewer, you can’t decide whether you feel bad for Rusty or if you wanna shrug your shoulders at his actions. Basically, there’s a lot of moral dilemma here. And then, of course, you get to witness the real and raw emotions Rusty faces as he’s convicted and works through the trial. This show isn’t your classic “whodunnit”, but an exploration into what justice truly means when lines get blurred. 

This drama series is actually the second adaptation of the novel (by the same name) written by Scott Turow. And with unexpected twists, layered storytelling, and such an incredible cast, you can imagine why it’s highly acclaimed. Now that you’re all caught up, are you ready to find your next favorite watch? Without further ado, here are all of the best shows to watch that have all those Presumed Innocent vibes.

What Shows to Watch If You Like Presumed Innocent

Big Little Lies

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max

Based on the popular Liane Moriarty novel, Big Little Lies is DEFINITELY a favorite here at Dear Media. The show follows a group of women—Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman), Jane (Shailene Woodley), Renata (Laura Dern), and Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz)—who call themselves “The Monterey Five.” 

They’re like the girl group you’ve always wanted to be part of… if you wanna be wrapped up in murder, secrets, and lies. Like Presumed Innocent, this series dives deep into how betrayal can impact the people you love the most. Total must-watch if you love suspense, psychological tension, and a kick*ss cast.

If you’ve already seen and loved this series, check out our posts “Books Like Gone Girl” and “Shows Like The White Lotus” for similar recs!

The Undoing

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max

Now this is that classic “whodunnit” we all know and love. The Undoing is a psychological thriller that focuses on Grace Fraser (played by Nicole Kidman), a wealthy therapist in Manhattan. Life was pretty great… until she realized that her husband, Jonathan (AKA Hugh Grant), isn’t who she thought he was. (Someone should’ve sent her How to Let Them Go from Girls Gotta Eat—know your worth, Grace!).

Jonathan becomes the main suspect in the murder of a mom from the private school their son attends. And honestly? That’s just the beginning of his web of lies. Grace, alongside her protective father (Donald Sutherland), is now forced to figure out who Jonathan truly is and what he’s capable of. If you love courtroom dramas and high-society mysteries, you’ll love this one. 

Defending Jacob

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Defending Jacob follows Andy Barber (played by Chris Evans), an assistant district attorney who seemingly had it all. He was respected in his position, had a great relationship with his wife, and was a dedicated father. But it couldn’t be that easy, right? Of course not! Andy’s son, Jacob, was accused of murdering a classmate. Andy probably should’ve tuned into this episode of Raising Good Humans for Dr. Aliza’s world-renowned parenting advice.

The series explores Andy’s moral dilemma between upholding justice and, of course, defending his son. Even after Andy was removed from the case for being too close, he still refused to give up. Like Presumed Innocent, this series focuses heavily on moral questions and intense family dynamics.

The Night Of

Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max

Fair warning: this eight-part miniseries is addictive. Like, you’ll want to binge-watch all of it in one sitting kind of addictive. The show follows Nasir “Naz” Khan, a Pakistani-American college student who suddenly becomes one of the prime suspects in the murder of Andrea Cornish. 

We say suddenly because Naz had JUST met Andrea the night of her murder. The two did drugs, had sex, fell asleep, and Naz woke up to find her dead. Seems sketchy, but you’ll have to watch for yourself to see how it all unfolds. Just like Presumed Innocent, it’s gritty, raw, and super emotional.

Mare of Easttown

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max

Mare of Easttown follows Mare Sheehan (played by Kate Winslet), a discouraged small-town detective in Pennsylvania. After failing to solve the disappearance of her close friend’s daughter, Mare is sidelined when a new murder case comes to town. 

But as the community turns against her and her own life unravels, she throws herself back into the investigation. This series gives viewers a deeper look into grief, trauma, and how hard it is to figure life out in such a tight-knit area. Anyone from a nosy small town can totally relate to this one. Plus, any show starring Kate Winslet (and rocking a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes) definitely deserves a spot on the list. 

Your Honor

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+

Your Honor is kind of like if Defending Jacob and Presumed Innocent were made into one single series. The show follows New Orleans judge, Michael Desiato, whose son, Adam, killed a mob boss in a hit-and-run. Now, Michael has to decide whether what he’s willing to do and how far he’ll go to protect his son.

As expected, Michael puts his reputation and status on the line when he takes the risk of covering for Adam. His average and mundane life is now full of lies, cover-ups, and crime. If you enjoy the complexity of law versus loyalty, watch this ASAP.

Suspicion

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Once a prominent U.S. media mogul’s son, Leo, was kidnapped, alllll the attention fell on four average British citizens. Why, exactly, were they accused? Simply because they were at the hotel the night Leo went missing. 

What was once an accusation spirals into an international manhunt involving the FBI and the National Crime Agency. Now, all four individuals have to run from the cops, work to prove their innocence, and figure out what actually happened. And trust us, not everything is as it seems. It’s a quick change of pace from the murder mystery thing we had going on in the list, but you’ll love every second of it.

Anatomy of a Scandal

Where to watch: Netflix

When Sophie Whitehouse’s politician husband James admits to an affair, her life is flipped upside down. Too bad we weren’t there to recommend “How to Overcome Cheating” from We Met At Acme. But get this, the cheating isn’t even the worst part (how not, right?). Olivia, the woman James had an affair with, is claiming that James actually assaulted her. 

It isn’t until the trial that James’ past comes to light, and Sophie goes from protective and defensive to confused and unsure. Olivia isn’t the only one determined to take James down, either—prosecutor Kate Woodcroft knows a thing or two and is totally ready to air it alllll out. Anatomy of a Scandal is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys deep dives into power, privilege, and shocking twists.

Under the Bridge

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+

Based on the novel by the same name, Under the Bridge follows the story of 14-year-old Reena Virk. Reena was invited to a party under a bridge one night by a group who called themselves the “Shoreline Six.” Obviously excited, she snuck out to attend and went missing that very same night.

Godfrey, a journalist, and Lily, a local police officer, join forces to figure out who was responsible for Reena’s disappearance. And, of course, they want to get to the bottom of why they did it. It’s a heartbreaking story about betrayal, secrets, and the universal teenage desire to feel like you belong. The show (and novel) are based on a true story, making it all the more gripping.

Want even more shocking stories and twisted truths? We have more where that came from, just check out our post: “Best True Crime Podcasts.”

The Staircase

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max

Another true story, this miniseries follows Michael Peterson, a crime novelist who was accused of killing his wife. The story begins with Michael finding his wife, Kathleen, unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. After calling 911, cops believe that her injuries lead to no other suspect than Michael himself. 

What started as an accident led to a 16-year legal battle. And honestly, people are still torn over what actually happened. We’ll keep it there so we don’t spoil anything, but if you’re a fan of slow-burn suspense and legal intrigue, add it to your watchlist ASAP.

True crime, fake crime, scripted crime—we love it all.

The truth is, Presumed Innocent will always have a place in our hearts (and not just because Jake Gyllenhaal is the lead character). There’s just something about that edge-of-the-seat suspense and unexpected truths that we’ll never get tired of. As good as this series is, we know you’ll enjoy all of our recs just as much. 

Looking for more thrill and the experience of watching a case unfold in real time? Check out shows like White Collar. Craving even more recommendations based on your favorite series? Head over to the Dear Media blog; we’ve got tons of posts waiting for you. And, of course, don’t forget to check out the DM Shop for all of the latest must-have products. You + this “C’est Le Point” Mug + your new binge-worthy series? A match made in cozy heaven.