‘Presumed Innocent’ Shifts Categories For 2025 Emmy Awards: From Drama To Limited Series

March 21, 2025: Apple TV+’s legal thriller Presumed Innocent has made a surprising shift in its submission for the 2025 Emmy Awards, now competing in the Limited or Anthology Series category instead of the Drama Series category, as reported by Deadline. This change follows its initial submission as a drama series for the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, where lead star Jake Gyllenhaal received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Drama.

The category switch comes as Presumed Innocent evolved over the past few months. Initially conceived as a limited series adaptation of Scott Turow’s bestselling novel, the show had no plans for a second season. However, after the first season’s breakout success, Apple TV+ ordered a second season, prompting the show to reconsider its format. The second season will follow a model similar to The White Lotus, with a new story and largely new cast each season, though a character may cross over to serve as connective tissue.

Deadline reports that the initial intention was to keep Presumed Innocent as a limited series, with a self-contained story arc that would be resolved within the season. However, the Emmy Awards’ rules for limited or anthology series stipulate that for a series to qualify, its storyline must be completely resolved by the end of its season, with no ongoing plotlines or characters returning in future seasons. This is similar to what happened with The White Lotus, which switched from limited series to drama series after its first season’s success.

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the first season of Presumed Innocent centers on a horrific murder that shakes the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. Alongside Gyllenhaal, the show features an ensemble cast including Ruth Negga, who received a nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Peter Sarsgaard, O-T Fagbenle, and Renate Reinsve.

The switch to the Limited Series category adds a new layer of intrigue for the upcoming Emmy Awards, especially considering the show’s successful reception and Gyllenhaal’s recognition. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how Presumed Innocent fares in this new category at the Emmys in 2025.