Will Defending Jacob season 2 ever happen on Apple TV+, and if so when will it release? The original eight-episode installment doesn't provide absolute clarity for viewers, and seemingly teases a brand new storyline. But since Defending Jacob season 1 is based on William Landay's 2012 eponymous novel, showrunner Mark Bomback may not have the appropriate rights to move forward with new episodes. Defending Jacob season 1 concluded on May 29, 2020.
Defending Jacob season 1 plays out like a traditional procedural, but the main conflict derives from familial dysfunction. Chris Evans stars as Andy Barber, the son of a convicted killer and the father of a 14-year old (Jaeden Martell as Jacob) accused of murdering a classmate, Ben Rifkin. When Andy's wife, Laurie (Michelle Dockery), discovers that he lied about the past, and that her son may indeed by a killer, she's naturally skeptical about each and every conversation. However, Defending Jacob season 1 on Apple TV+ doesn't build towards a tidy conclusion, and instead focuses on questions of morality and loyalty.
In Defending Jacob season 1, the ending differentiates from Landay's original source material. As a result, there's potential for a new storyline that addresses unresolved conflict, all the while introducing a new subplot involving one of the key supporting characters. There's also the possibility that new episodes will focus primarily on the Barber family and the psychology that fuels the actions of the titular character. Here's what to expect for Defending Jacob season 2 on Apple TV+.
Defending Jacob Was Ordered As A Miniseries
Apple originally greenlit Defending Jacob as an eight-episode miniseries. As of now, it seems that streamers shouldn't expect a brand new season, though it's worth noting that Defending Jacob season 1 has been a hit for Apple TV+, even if critics aren't raving about the overall quality. Moving forward, the novelist Landay may need to approve a series continuation, or may want to publish a sequel in the upcoming years. Landay maintains a blog on his website, but hasn't published any updates since April 19, 2020.
How Defending Jacob Season 2 Could Continue The Story
Defending Jacob season 1 ends without revealing whether or not Jacob killed his classmate. However, the finale does show that Laurie tries to kill herself and her son by deliberately crashing a car, the result of continued uncertainty about the truth. In the present, Andy tries to explain what happened during a deposition, and Laurie - alive and mostly well - expresses guilt while Jacob remains in a coma. The storyline deviates from the book ending in which Jacob is instantly killed during the crash.
If Defending Jacob season 2 releases on Apple TV+, the narrative could go in a couple different directions. The first option is that Bomback, the showrunner, would pick up the current storyline while Martell is still young enough to portray a teenager (assuming his character survives and recovers). In that case, the focus would fall on the public's reaction to the Barber family drama, or potentially shift entirely to a new suspect. Whatever happens, expect Billy Barber to loom in the background.
Defending Jacob season 2 could also follow the title character in college. There, he may learn crucial details about the past that could fully prove his innocence. Meanwhile, he'd likely struggle to re-build his relationship with Laurie. A college narrative seems plausible since it may be a few years until production would officially commence, due to COVID-19 delays and scheduling conflict for cast members.
Most likely, Bomback and Apple TV+ will try keep the narrative tight and focused. And so Defending Jacob season 2 would be more focused on psychology rather than expanding the story with new suspects and crimes. In theory, Jacob could be guilty. His friends may also be guilty. There could even be a cover-up. It's the unknown that seems to keep streamers engaged, and also the possibility that Jacob may not know for sure whether or not he actually killed Ben, which could be the start of another subplot. Defending Jacob season 2 has the potential to be a fascinating character study.