Here’s how the series’ shocking twist switches up the original novel’s ending.

*Presumed Innocent *ending explained: Who killed Carolyn in Apple TV’s twisty legal thriller?

Here's how the series' shocking twist switches up the original novel's ending.

By Matt Cabral

Matt Cabral is a writer at **.

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January 14, 2026 5:01 p.m. ET

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Jake Gyllenhaal stands trial for murder, and Bill Camp represents him, in 'Presumed Innocent'. Credit:

**Warning: This article contains spoilers for the novel *Presumed Innocent, *it's 1990 film adaptation, and the 2024 Apple TV series.**

If you’re a fan of the 1990 Harrison Ford legal thriller *Presumed Innocent* — or the book it’s based on — you might assume you know how the recent miniseries remake concludes. You’d be wrong.

Like the movie and author Scott Turow's 1987 novel, the Apple TV series finds hotshot prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal) in deep trouble. His young colleague in the District Attorney’s office, Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve), has just been brutally murdered. She was found hog-tied in her home, having been bludgeoned with a fire poker.

The problem for Rusty? He had an affair with Carolyn, meaning his prints are all over her house. To make matters worse, Carolyn had recently dumped Rusty, and he did *not *take it well. It doesn’t take long for his fellow prosecutors to put together those pieces, posing a threat to his reputation, personal relationships, and freedom.

Renate Reinsve as Carolyn Polhemus in 'Presumed Innocent'.

In both the book and Alan J. Pakula’s big-screen adaptation, the killer turns out to be Rusty's wife, Barbara. She reveals all in a dramatic confession after he discovers a hatchet covered in blood and hair in their basement.

It's a shocking twist, but this eight-episode remake somehow trumps it with a series of reveals that deliver an even bigger gut-punch.

Read on to find out who killed Carolyn this time around — and what the fallout of the revelation means for Rusty and his family.

Who is suspected of killing Carolyn?

A few suspects: Liam Reynolds (Mark Harelik), Barbara Sabich (Ruth Negga), Michael Caldwell (Tate Birchmore), Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard).

The series points a finger at several potential suspects. Rusty is the primary person of interest with good reason. But as he starts putting his own defense together — along with his mentor, the recently unseated D.A. Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp) — he focuses his attention on convicted murderer Liam Reynolds (Mark Harelik).

It was Carolyn who put Reynolds behind bars. And he's held a grudge, insisting he was wrongfully convicted and that she may have cut ethical corners to get the conviction. As Rusty sees it, Reynolds could have easily sought revenge against the young prosecutor. Most damning of all is that her body was found hog-tied in a conspicuously similar fashion as Reynolds’ previous presumptive victim, Bunny Davis.

The problem, of course, is that Liam Reynolds is occupying a prison cell. Any connection he might have to the murder would require an accomplice.

Jake Gyllenhaal modeled his 'Presumed Innocent' character on godfather Paul Newman

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As the case against Rusty continues, the show casts suspicion on a number of other characters. That includes Carolyn's ex-husband Dalton Caldwell (Matthew Alan) and her teenage son Michael (Tate Birchmore). Then there’s Rusty workplace rival, Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard), seems to have harbored a crush on Carolyn.

Then there’s the family angle. Those who know the earlier versions of this story already suspect Barbara (Ruth Negga), and the series later shows that their teenage son, Kyle (Kingston Rumi Southwick) knows a bit more than he’s letting on.

But putting the fire poker in any of these characters’ hands is a stretch, as Rusty is a much more plausible culprit. There are a number of incriminating factors against him, including the end of their affair and the revelation that Carolyn was pregnant. Then there’s the fact that he visited her on the night of the murder. Pile it all together and it seems Rusty's ready to be outfitted for an orange jumpsuit.

Is Rusty found guilty?

Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal) hears his fate in the 'Presumed Innocent' finale.

The lead-up to the courtroom trial, and the trial itself, is full of nail-biting turns. For one, Rusty loses his lead defense after Raymond suffers a heart attack. Egomaniac that he is, the charismatic prosecutor insists, against Raymond’s advice, on fully representing himself in court.

In the finale, Rusty and Molto deliver compelling closing arguments. But while the former appears nearly buried by the sheer volume of motives and evidence, it’s ultimately determined to be circumstantial. With nothing solid to be certain of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury finds Rusty not guilt, much to the dismay of the new D.A., Nico Della Guardia (O-T Fagbenle).

But with 20 minutes left in the episode, the conclusion of Rusty's legal nightmare is only the beginning of the end.

Who killed Carolyn?

Chase Infiniti delivers the final narrative blow of 'Presumed Innocent'.

Rusty no longer has to worry about spending the rest of his life in prison, but that still leaves the lingering question of who committed the crime.

Back at home, Rusty confronts Barbara, claiming he’s known all along that she murdered his mistress. The evidence of his accusation is wrapped up in a bombshell of its own. He admits that he found Carolyn’s lifeless body shortly after she was murdered, then altered the crime scene to protect his wife. It turns out he was the one who hog-tied Carolyn, deliberately linking the murder to Liam Reynolds, believing it could throw prosecutors off their scent.

But before Barbara can catch her breath, the couple's daughter Jaden (Chase Infiniti) enters the room with a left-field twist. The teen confesses that she murdered her father’s mistress. She went to Carolyn's home, “just looking to talk” and not-so-kindly ask that the woman stay away from her family. When Carolyn revealed she was pregnant, Jaden snapped, wielding the fire poker and slamming it into Carolyn's skull.

Renate Reinsve and Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Presumed Innocent'.

Rusty understandably displays shock and horror over learning his teenage daughter killed his former lover. “We will never speak of this,” he firmly instructs his rattled wife and child.

Accepting all responsibility for putting them in this position in the first place, he continues, “We will survive as a family. We love each other.”

How does Presumed Innocent end?

The Sabich family: Chase Infiniti, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Ruth Negga.

With the mystery solved and the closing credits about to roll,* Presumed Innocent *catches us up with the Sabich clan sometime in the near future. It's Thanksgiving, and the family has happily gathered to enjoy a traditional feast and each other’s company.

It seems they’ve moved on. Or have they? Beneath the wholesomeness, smiles, and laughter, something else lingers. Rusty and Barbara exchange a knowing look, suggesting the horrific truth bubbling beneath the surface will forever haunt their family.

Where can I watch Presumed Innocent?

The prosecution (O-T Fagbenle and Peter Sarsgaard) rests.

*Presumed Innocent* is streaming on Apple TV. The series has been renewed for another installment, officially moving into anthology territory as the second season will be unrelated to the first.

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Source: “EW Crime”