FROM DEFENDING AMERICA TO “DEFENDING JACOB”

Marvel actors heading into television seems to be a trend recently, deciding to follow that trend is “Captain America’s” Chris Evans. Evans has signed onto not only star in but also executive produce a new Apple series called “Defending Jacob.” The show will be based on the 2012 novel written by author William Landay. “Defending Jacob” follows the story of a father whose 14-year-old son has been accused of murder after one of his classmates is found stabbed to death in a park near their middle school.

The new eight-episode series was created and written by Mark Bomback of the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy and will be directed and executive produced by Oscar-nominee Morten Tyldum. Bomback is not only the creator and writer of the show; he will also serve as showrunner. Tyldum and Evans will executive produce along with Rosalie Swedlin and Adam Shulman for Anonymous Content. “Defending Jacob” isn’t the only high-profile show to get picked up by Apple either. The streaming service is also set to air a TV drama with Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston about a television morning show, and Kristen Wiig will star in Apple’s first half-hour comedy.

This will mark Evans’ first regular television role since he appeared in the mini-series “Opposite Sex” back in 2000. The actor is best known for playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most recently being one of the leads in “Avengers: Infinity war.” Evans is also known for roles in films like “Snowpiercer” and the original “Fantastic Four” film along with its sequel “Rise of the Silver Surfer.” He recently starred on Broadway in “Lobby Hero” and is about to begin production on the film “The Devil All the Time,” which is set to be released in 2020. Evans never disappoints when it comes to the shows, movies, or plays that he stars in, and “Defending Jacob” will surely be no exception.