SummaryJacob (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.
Created By:Mark Bomback
Defending Jacob
Season 1 Premiere:
Apr 20, 2020
Metascore
Generally Favorable
61
User score
Generally Favorable
7.6
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All Seasons
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
35% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
65% Mixed
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Apr 24, 2020
95
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.
Apr 23, 2020
70
“Defending Jacob” is gripping enough in its own way, despite some of the familiar moves, and the acting is consistently fine.
User score
Generally Favorable
72% Positive
88 Ratings
88 Ratings
21% Mixed
26 Ratings
26 Ratings
7% Negative
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
Feb 11, 2026
10
Uma série realmente admirável e que prende a atenção,Em defesa de Jacob foi algo que realmente me fez ficar surpreso com o final,boas atuações,destacando a de Jaeden martell que foi realmente admirável dando vida ao personagem, cenário tenso,conflitos e diálogos fortes e um bom enredo,recomendo muito essa série.
Aug 18, 2023
10
This is a story about a family that is tested brutally after a murder investigation turns up the son as the primary suspect. Through superb acting, writing and directions we are asked the question: how do secrets affect you and the people closest to you, are you still a family when you tell a direct lie to the other two in each episode, always under different pressures and for reasons that might seem good at a time.
Apr 13, 2020
68
Evans and Dockery are fantastic. ... But the pacing takes away any urgency that is inherent in the storyline. The shocking reveals are way too drawn out. The result is a murder mystery you can put down.
Apr 23, 2020
60
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+.
Apr 24, 2020
58
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.
Apr 24, 2020
50
Defending Jacob is not bad so much as the result of what happens when you try to reverse-engineer a bestseller into a conversation-starter, and prestige-TV it to death.
Apr 22, 2020
40
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.
Dec 9, 2021
10
I was hooked from the first episode. I think it has some good twists and great acting. It kept me wanted more each episode.
May 18, 2020
6
Chris Evans plays a successful assistant district attorney, whose life is upended when his son (Jaeden Martell) is accused of murder. The pursuit of an alternate killer isn't the show's primary focus. Instead, it revolves around the family's traumas dealing with this life-changing allegation and the parent's lingering doubts about their son's innocence. Evans makes a stalwart dad and Michelle Dockery plays an effectively shaken mother, but it's Martell whose performance is the most nuanced. Despite the compelling premise, the interactions are heavy without being especially moving. Unlike the traditional streaming service model, this series is being released weekly and won't wrap up til May 29. I'll stick with it, but it's extended length and plodding plot developments provide this somber drama with scant empathy. (8 one-hour episodes)
Jun 1, 2020
4
While the performances are strong (although Martel has the sullen teenager played to the extreme), this is a five hours too long. Not sure why the raves since I fast forwarded way more than I would have expected.
Dec 6, 2020
0
Le fils du procureur est soupçonné du meurtre, à savoir l’un des camarades de classe de l’ado en question : est-ce une calomnie, une cabale montée de toutes pièces ou le fiston du brillant procureur est-il un vilain psychopathe ? Ses parents neuneus vont tout faire pour le défendre et c’est donc parti pour une série procédurière à procès à la mords-moi-le-noeud : idéal pour pioncer dès le premier épisode et en vérité, ça ne rate pas : avant la fin du premier épisode, on ronfle à faire trembler les fondations ! Les comédiesn jouent mal, c’est mal écrit, invraisemblable et tout foireux ; la mise en scène est endormie tout comme cette pseudo-intrigue à chier debout ! une série indéfendable dont le verdict tombe net et sans bavure : direction la poubelle !
