Defending Jacob: 5 Things The Show Got Right From The Novel (& 5 Things It Didn’t)

The new miniseries, Defending Jacob has rounded up a number of fans eager to watch every episode. The miniseries is based on the novel of the same name by author Willian Landay. Whenever a television or film adaptation of a book comes out, not everything can be copied word for word.

The crime drama show has people hooked on whether or not Jacob Barber (Jaeden Martell) is responsible for the death of a schoolmate. Fans are taken on a wild ride of hidden truths, cover-ups, and murder. But how much of the book did the show copy? Let’s take a look at some of the discrepancies and similar plot elements. Be warned, there are some major spoilers ahead.

10 Different: Pam Duffy

This will be interesting to some fans, but in the book, detective Pam Duffy (Betty Gabriel) is actually Paul Duffy. While a majority of the characteristics stay the same, there are some key differences. In the show, Andy does have a professional relationship with Pam but in the book, it’s much more.

Andy divulges that Paul and his family knew each other on a personal basis. So much so, that Paul named Andy godfather of his middle child. Paul is also more outgoing and brash and doesn’t mind letting loose a few curse words.

9 Same: Grand Jury Investigation

In the show, audiences get shots from the present and the past. This mostly occurs in the form of the grand jury trial with Andy Barber (Chris Evans) on the stand. The show copied this from the book itself. It’s an aspect of the book that needed to be in the show.

The book is told from the point of view of Andy. The inclusion of the grand jury investigation in the show gives audiences a look-see into Andy’s thoughts as he tries to piece together the murder. It also adds a necessary tension between Andy and the legal system.

8 Different: The Diner Scene

An aspect that was kept the same from the novel was the Rifkin’s family sitting Shiva due to their Jewish background. A majority of the details remain the same except for what happens afterward. Andy is the one that takes Jacob home, but in the show, they make a slight detour.

With the ongoing investigation and the stifling tension everyone in town is feeling, Andy decides to have one-on-one time with his son. He takes him to a local diner where they have a nice chat and Jacob tells a funny joke. Audiences can tell that Andy is filled with turmoil over the case and his son’s reaction to the entire event.

7 Same: Social Media Comments And The Knife

When it comes to a crime drama show based on a novel, there are some key details that needs to remain the same. One of them was the social media presence Jacob has. Jacob’s presence on social media has said a lot about his character, especially when he makes a comment about people mourning Ben Rifkin (Liam Kilbreth) when they weren’t his friend.

This is also followed by Derek Yoo (Ben Taylor) lashing back at Jacob proclaiming that everyone knows that Jacob killed Ben and that he had a knife. This all occurs in the book, as well as Andy rummaging through his son’s belongings and finding a knife hidden in a wrapped clothing item.

6 Different: Jacob And Sarah

The book never dives into the relationship Jacob and Sarah (Jordan Alexa Davis) have the way they do on the show. In reality, the book only mentions Sarah when questioned at school and when talking to Andy.

In the show, Jacob and Sarah still communicate on a regular basis. Maybe even develop a crush. Sarah becomes the only friend who hasn’t shunned Jacob, although that soon changes as the trial goes on.

5 Same: Leonard Patz And The Body

In the book and show, it describes how the body of Rifkin was found. A female jogger was running through the path when she saw his body and went to check. But it also describes the even when Jacob found the body first head down and he went to see if he was hurt. All details remain the same.

Andy becomes infatuated with Leonard Patz (Daniel Henshall) as a possible suspect. The book and show keep the circumstances the same, like Patz fondling Matt Magrath (Hale Lytle) in a public library. It later unfolds into Matt’s relationship with Patz.

4 Different: Derek’s Confession To Andy

Derek Yoo starts to play a more interesting role as the show progresses. The same idea occurs when Andy goes to question him about Jacob and Ben Rifkin. Certain details also remain like Jacob’s fascination with going on cutting websites.

But a huge difference is that Jacob uses his iPad to visit the sites. The iPad soon becomes a point of interest for Andy. In the show, the focus is on Rifkin’s phone and Jacob’s laptop. Derek also describes an incident where Jacob laughs at a paralyzed individual as he passes by.

3 Same: Billy Barber

It would seem wrong to not keep the character of Billy Barber (J.K. Simmons) the same from the novels. Thankfully, it’s the same.  The scene is almost the same where Andy recalls meeting his father once in prison as a child. He remembers his gross yellow teeth and tattoo.

The details of his incarceration are similar except they never mention a rape. The book only discusses the murder of a college girl. In both, Andy also never tells Laurie (Michelle Dockery) his past and about his father. This then leads to her finding out and testing for the murder gene. As well as Jacob finding out while preparing for the trial.

2 Different: The Nude Photos and Ben Rifkin’s Photos

When the detectives find that they can’t hold Patz for the murder of Ben, they have to let him go. As the episode ends, Patz is seen sitting in a small restaurant. He deletes all the photos he has on his phone of Ben. In the book, this scene doesn’t occur.

The same goes for when the investigation takes a turn. Sarah admits to Ben having topless photos of her on his phone. This also doesn’t occur in the book. Sarah’s confession leads to Andy and the police to focus more on Ben’s phone and a possible new motive involving Derek Yoo.

1 Same: The End Events

No one could have excepted the way the show ended. The trial is dismissed after Patz is found having committed suicide and with a note saying he killed Ben. They also kept Billy’s involvement the same. The show and book both include the Barbers’ going on a vacation to let off steam.

Black clouds emerge when a young girl Jacob was talking to goes missing. In the book, she is actually killed, not just missing. When they returned home, fans were shocked by the final events. Laurie now believes Jacob to be a killer and purposefully crashes her car. The outcome is different, the show puts Jacob in a coma while the book ends with the crash. The reason Andy looks distraught during the grand jury is because they are trying to figure out if Laurie purposefully tried to kill Jacob.

About The Author

Gabriela Silva
(478 Articles Published)

Gabriela Silva is a List writer for Screen Rant with experience in all things television, film and pop culture. A graduate of Fordham University with previous years experience interning for Cliché Magazine.

With her passion for movies, television and entertainment, she’s interviewed some great actors from Cress Williams of ‘Black Lightning’ to Tati Gabrielle from ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.’

Her love for entertainment reaches a broad range of interests from 90s thriller movies, guilty pleasure teen dramas, action-packed MCU movies to popular K-dramas. You’ll most likely find her binge-watching a new television show or movies on Netflix into the early morning.

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