'Downton Abbey' Star Michelle Dockery and 'IT' Actor Jaeden Martell Join Apple Series 'Defending Jacob'

Michelle Dockery, best know for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in PBS's "Downton Abbey," has signed on to star in "Defending Jacob," one of the TV shows Apple has ordered.

"Defending Jacob" is a thriller based on William Landay's bestselling novel of the same title. The book covers the murder of a 14-year-old boy and his friend Jacob, who may have committed the crime.

Described as a character-driven thriller, the show will star Chris Evans and also Jaeden Martell, who starred in the recent remake of Stephen King's "IT."

Evans will be playing Andy Barber, the father of a 14 year old (played by Martell) accused of murder. Dockery will be playing Laurie Barber, Andy's wife and Jacob's mother.

Apple has more than a dozen television shows in the works, and the company is set to give us a first look at its upcoming streaming service on Monday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

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Top Rated Comments

JTBing Avatar
82 months ago
Appears to be ‘safe’ movies... Disney for adults. ;)
Curious: what about this synopsis suggests "safe"?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ELman Avatar
82 months ago
Lady Mary was a bit less ladylike in Godless.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mozumder Avatar
82 months ago
Will have to see the first set of shows on Apple TV to figure out their brand but right now Hulu is killing it with Pen15 & Shrill for a clear audience definition.

Which audience demographic is Apple TV targeting?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5105973 Avatar
82 months ago
Will have to see the first set of shows on Apple TV to figure out their brand but right now Hulu is killing it with Pen15 & Shrill for a clear audience definition.

Which audience demographic is Apple TV targeting?
I think they’re targeting me specifically. So far I’ve liked almost everything I’ve read about their planned lineup. And I’m one who gave up on tv several years ago.

So...grumpy moms. But that’s not a bad idea as 90% of the grumpy moms I know have iPhones and other Apple products.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)