Presumed Innocent is a legal thriller television series based on the 1987 novel by Scott Turow. It's the first television adaptation of the book after the 1990 film starring Harrison Ford and Brian Dennehy. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on June 12, 2024.
Michael Caldwell, played by Tate Birchmore, is a character in the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent. He is the son of Carolyn Polhemus and Dalton Caldwell on the show.
The story takes place in Chicago, where Rusty Sabich is the chief deputy state's attorney. But when a colleague of Carolyn's is brutally murdered, the office is turned upside down. Rusty, one of their own, becomes the prime suspect.
The show is about how far people will go for the things that matter most to them, like love and power, while also looking at the ups and downs of relationships and families.
Who is Carolyn Polhemus in Presumed Innocent?
Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve) is a prosecutor in the fictional Kindle County D.A.'s office alongside Rusty Sabich, the main character. She is ambitious, smart, and attractive. Carolyn is known for being good at her job in a male-dominated field. Her charm and charisma earn her respect.
An essential part of Carolyn Polhemus' personality is her secret romance with Rusty Sabich, the chief deputy district attorney who is already married. Their passionate relationship eventually leads them into trouble. Their need to keep it secret adds tension to the story as Rusty becomes more involved in Carolyn's life.
How does the affair lead to Carolyn's brutal murder?
From the beginning, there were four major suspects. Rusty was obsessed with Carolyn, as highlighted in the flashbacks of their secret relationship throughout the series. In a scene, Carolyn breaks things up with Rusty, making him restless. He anxiously texts her, and the texts change from expressing his love to threats.
Rusty is left heartbroken when his affair ends. This emotional mess plays a big part in what happens next. When Carolyn's body is found in her apartment, Rusty becomes the number one suspect, thanks to his past with Carolyn.
When is Carolyn's son Michael introduced in Presumed Innocent?
Michael, Carolyn's son, attends his mother's memorial alongside his father, Dalton. When Rusty comes by, Michael talks to him for a bit, and Dalton lets Rusty know that he's mad at him, Carolyn, and the whole world.
It turns out that Michael contacted Rusty about meeting the night Carolyn was killed. Michael wants to talk to Rusty about what happened to his mother. He reveals that he gave all the pictures he took that night to the DA's office. Michael comes up again during the pretrial hearing when Raymond thinks someone else might be involved.
Presumed Innocent: Who is Dalton Caldwell?
Matthew Alan plays Dalton Caldwell in Presumed Innocent. According to Raymond Horgan, the former prosecutor, Dalton was Carolyn's ex and Michael's father.
Rusty visits Dalton at home to talk about his relationship with Carolyn. Dalton shares that their breakup was due to Carolyn's secretive nature and inability to open up about her work life. Dalton denies killing Carolyn, and the police agree. Michael joins them and exchanges a few words with Rusty, and Dalton reveals that Michael harbors hatred for him, his mother, and the world.
Dalton and Michael meet with Tommy at the DA's office to review the photographic evidence Michael took. Dalton attends the second and third days of the trial, including the day Michael testifies. Dalton is seen in the courtroom, where he and Michael appear at every trial until the day Rusty is found not guilty.
If you have an Apple TV+ subscription, you can check out Presumed Innocent, which immerses you in the gripping world of courtroom drama.
