Defending Jacob: Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

Apple TV+ | Season Premiere Date: April 24, 2020

Summary: Jacob (Jaeden Martell), the 14-year-old son of assistant district attorney Andy Barber (Chris Evans), is accused of murder in this limited series thriller based on the novel of the same name by William Landay.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E6. Wishful Thinking
Air Date: May 15, 2020
tbd
S1:E5. Visitors
Air Date: May 8, 2020
tbd
S1:E4. Damage Control
Air Date: May 1, 2020

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Aaron Barnhart

Apr 24, 2020

From the get-go, Defending Jacob grabs and holds your attention, hour after hour, as you try to figure out whether the kid did it, and if the parents are going to make it through the trial without imploding. .... It’s the best Apple original series yet, and proof that like fine wine, some stories just need time to age and breathe a little. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Apr 22, 2020

An addictive murder mystery with terrific performances, some chilling twists and turns — and a shocking finale that veers close to flying off the rails but is kinda great given everything that has already transpired. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

Apr 23, 2020

“Defending Jacob” is gripping enough in its own way, despite some of the familiar moves, and the acting is consistently fine. Read full review

Kristi Turnquist

Apr 21, 2020

The eight-part limited series does a good job of making us feel the parents’ uncertainty about whether Jacob is innocent or guilty. But that suspense is made to carry too much of the load for the relaxed pace of the show, which takes its own sweet time drawing us in. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Apr 23, 2020

Chris Evans might not have a shield in Defending Jacob, but the eight-part miniseries -- based on a bestselling novel -- is all about shielding his son. Well cast and twisty, it's an earnest if mostly undistinguished effort, one that relies heavily on the one-time Avenger's star power in serving its mission to bring viewers to Apple TV+. Read full review

Danette Chavez

Apr 24, 2020

The story never lingers long enough at home for the family drama to really take hold. ... The result is a story that feels both overstuffed and underdeveloped. Like its namesake, Defending Jacob is brought down just as it’s taking off. Read full review

Daniel D'Addario

Apr 22, 2020

Generally, the talent assembled here feels left out to dry:. ... Up to its final moments, this limited series strains for impact. But it’s unserious about the aspects of its story that are genuinely potentially interesting, and — up through a final twist that’s at least audacious — sillier than one might have any reason to expect. Read full review

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User Reviews

mohmdmarafi

May 4, 2020

I really loved the show. It is one of the best crime thrillers I’ve seen for sure. The twists and turns are fantastic. The emotional weight and family aspects in this show are so well done. Chris Evans delivers a powerfully emotional role. One of his best performances so far. Michelle andI really loved the show. It is one of the best crime thrillers I’ve seen for sure. The twists and turns are fantastic. The emotional weight and family aspects in this show are so well done. Chris Evans delivers a powerfully emotional role. One of his best performances so far. Michelle and Jaeden also star in this amazing series. Highly recommended!..… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

24gbenne02

May 6, 2020

this show is very captivating and entertaining. it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SrGus

Jun 30, 2020

I went to watch the series with the purpose of seeing Chris Evans act in something other than Marvel, and, I say with great pleasure, that I was very surprised. I was surprised by the performance of Chris (and the other actors) and the series itself. I haven't read the book on which theI went to watch the series with the purpose of seeing Chris Evans act in something other than Marvel, and, I say with great pleasure, that I was very surprised. I was surprised by the performance of Chris (and the other actors) and the series itself. I haven't read the book on which the series is based (I intend to read), so what I'm going to say here is just about my view of the series.
We have a family of three here: Andy Barber, his wife Laurie and his son Jacob. Their lives change completely when a boy from school, where the couple's son studies, is murdered; and Jacob becomes the prime suspect.
Chris Evans plays the character Andy Barber, who is a lawyer and father of Jacob. Throughout the series, we see the consequences of Jacob's accusation on his character and his battle to prove that his son is innocent, something that he does not allow to be shaken until the last moment. We were able to feel his concern and his incredulous look at the things that began to surround his son. He is a father who will do anything for him, until he visits his biggest traumas. We were able to feel it all thanks to the beautiful performance of Chris Evans.
Michelle Dockery's character is named Laurie Barber, and she's my favorite. Her plot involves much more psychological drama, physical fatigue and isolation from society. The consequences of any case involving your child move a lot throughout your life. While, in the father's view, we have what happens in the investigation. In the mother's view, we have what happens in social life. We see throughout the series that the character is regressing physically and psychologically. We see in her vision how people treat her, how the media sees her and how her friends and family see her after what happened. It starts to wear out a lot, because of doubt, regret and worry. Michelle Dockery's interpretation is incredible, the various looks she gives in various scenes, says a lot about what she is feeling and thinking. All characters are well developed, well interpreted by their actors; but Laurie stands out a lot more for me.
Jaeden Martell plays Jacob brilliantly. Your character walks between the strange and the normal. He makes us doubt our own thoughts without using too many lines, or expressions. While he appears to be just a normal boy, there are some dubious attitudes that make us question his innocence. A complex and layered character.
Defending Jacob is a series of drama, suspense, full of wonderful performances and that makes us question the following: how far would you go for your family or someone you love?

NOTE: The ending did not please many people, but if we think that the series focuses on the family and their relationships in such situations, the series is perfect.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

misaluiz

May 22, 2020

Even without the last episode out, I can say that the way they made the show and how Jaeden Martell acts is amazing. It is really a very nice thriller and enjoyful to watch.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

geewah

Jul 21, 2021

While there are a few flat spots, this series on the whole is a captivating drama led by some fantastic performances from it's lead actors. Another well made production from Apple TV.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

21MJB24

Jun 10, 2020

Good cast and great acting especially from Michelle Dockery. The story isn’t anything new, but still keeps you engaged.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Darth_Kane

Sep 30, 2020

Excellent cast and production value, but very lackluster storytelling. I was annoyed after 2 episodes, so I read the story on wikipedia, and based on that I’m glad I stopped watching. The ending is also very different from the book, and way less impactful. Should have been a movie instead ofExcellent cast and production value, but very lackluster storytelling. I was annoyed after 2 episodes, so I read the story on wikipedia, and based on that I’m glad I stopped watching. The ending is also very different from the book, and way less impactful. Should have been a movie instead of a series… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Seasons & Episodes

61

Series Overview
Season 1

61
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 24, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E6. Wishful Thinking
  Air Date: May 15, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E5. Visitors
  Air Date: May 8, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E4. Damage Control
  Air Date: May 1, 2020