The story focuses on a father who is dealing with the accusation that his 14-year-old son is a murderer
Chris Evans is the latest A-list actor to join Apple’s slate of new TV shows. The « Avengers » star will lead new thriller « Defending Jacob, » which is based on William Landay’s bestselling novel of the same name.
Deadline reports that Oscar-nominated Morten Tyldum, who directed « The Imitation Game, » has signed on to direct and executive produce the series. « Defending Jacob » will have eight episodes.
The story focuses on a father who is dealing with the accusation that his 14-year-old son is a murderer. Paramount Television and Anonymous Content are adapting the 2012 character-driven novel.
Mark Bomback is the creator and writer of the show; he will also serve as showrunner. Tyldum and Evans will executive produce along with Rosalie Swedlin and Adam Shulman for Anonymous Content.
« Defending Jacob » isn’t the only high-profile show to get picked up by Apple. The streaming service is also set to air a TV drama with Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston about a television morning show, and Kristen Wiig will star in Apple’s first half-hour comedy. Octavia Spencer will star in true-crime drama « Are You Sleeping, » also produced by Witherspoon.
As for Apple’s other scripted series, Steven Spielberg is producing an « Amazing Stories » reboot and Ronald D. Moore, of « Battlestar Galactica, » has created space drama « See » for the tech giant.
