Witness for the Defense

You probably don't have a subscription to Apple TV+ (unless you're took my recommendation to watch For All Mankind, or recently bought a new Apple device and got a year-long free subscription). If you aren't already subscribed, the TV series Defending Jacob is probably not reason enough to change that. If you are subscribed, though, it's something you might want to check out.

Based on a novel by William Landay, Defending Jacob is a 8-part mini-series. District attorney Andy Barber's life is upended when his 14-year-old son Jacob is arrested for the murder of school classmate. He and his wife Laurie try to stand by their son, but face increasing reasons to doubt his innocence.

In a world where everyone is trying to launch and sustain their own streaming service, and looking for the next buzzy television series to anchor it, it feels like a true oddity that Apple TV+ would serve up an eight-episodes-and-done one-off story. Then again, when people are recommending more shows to you than you could possibly watch even if it were your full-time job, a contained story like Defending Jacob might be just the thing.

The story is engaging enough, drawn out perhaps a little longer in places than feels necessary, but centered on the characters in the right way. The real appeal, though, is an outstanding cast. Chris Evans stars as attorney Andy Barber, and if you know him only as stalwart do-gooder Captain America, you'll find this role a refreshing change-up. This is a story of moral compromise, and Evans is called on to display some real acting chops as it unspools.

The titular Jacob is played by Jaeden Martell, in another case of the kids from Stephen King's It proving their talent. Martell isn't often called on for big histrionics here, but the quiet, sometimes creepy tone he does strike is perfect for the central mystery of the story: did Jacob actually do it? Jacob's mother Laurie is played by Michelle Dockery, best known for Downton Abbey. She gets most of the heavy lifting here, as her character slowly breaks down in the face of what she's up against.

The supporting cast is just as strong. Veteran Cherry Jones plays the defense attorney running Jacob's case, and her calm poise is a perfect counterpoint to the family drama. Pablo Schreiber, an actor you've almost certainly seen somewhere (The Wire, Orange Is the New Black, American Gods) is the delightfully smarmy prosecutor on the opposite side of the case. Betty Gabriel injects realism into her role as the lead investigator on the case. And the always-excellent J.K. Simmons pops up halfway into the story in a very important, scenery-chewing role.

Like I said, Defending Jacob is not by itself a reason to sign up for Apple TV+. But if you have it already, or have been slowly accumulating reasons to subscribe, put this on your list. I give the series a B+. It's a tight little drama that doesn't shy away from some dark subjects.