The small screen is now the place to be, with A-list actors attaching themselves to a variety of different projects over the last several years. Next up is Marvel Cinematic Universe alumni, and Captain America himself, Chris Evans who is starring in an adaptation of author William Landay's crime drama novel Defending Jacob.

The miniseries is set to be released by Apple TV+ and have now released the official trailer. Defending Jacob is described as a gripping, character-driven thriller based on William Landay's 2012 novel of the same name which was published by Random House. The series will unfold around a shocking crime that rocks a small Massachusetts town and follows an Assistant District Attorney who finds himself torn between his sworn duty to uphold justice, and his unconditional love for his 14-year-old son, who has been accused of the murder of one of his classmates.

The limited series stars Chris Evans as the lead character, and defensive father, Andy Barber. This marks Evans' first major small-screen role in 17 years, with his last roles being in Fox's Skin back in 2003. Defending Jacob will also feature Emmy nominee and star of Downton Abbey Michelle Dockery as Laurie Barber, the wife of Chris Evans' Andy and mother to Jacob.

It and The Book of Henry's Jaeden Martell will star as Jacob Barber along with a whole host of big and small screen talent including two-time Emmy winner Cherry Jones of The Handmaid's Tale fame as Joanna Klein, American Gods' Pablo Schreiber as Neal Logiudice, Timeless' Sakina Jaffrey as Lynn Canavan, Get Out's Betty Gabriel as Paula Duffy, Paul Wesley of The Vampire Diaries as Bobby, Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl as Sara, Kat Graham also of The Vampire Diaries as Rose, The Babadook's Daniel Henshall as Leonard Patz, Matt Lanter of Timeless as Jason, The Night Of's Poorna Jagannathan as Dr. Elizabeth Vogel and Only the Brave's Jake Picking as Jake. As if that were somehow not enough, the series will also feature J. K. Simmons as Billy Barber, Andy's father.

The series looks to be just the kind of mystery-filled tale that audiences love, with ample drama for the likes of Evans and his co-stars to really get their teeth into. Over the years Evans has proven himself to be one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, and his involvement should certainly put Defending Jacob high up on your radar.

Defending Jacob has been written by Mark Bomback, who wrote both Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, from Landay's best-selling novel. The limited series will be produced by Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. The Imitation Game and Passengers director Morten Tyldum will direct the series and executive produce alongside Chris Evans.

Warner Bros. had originally planned to adapt Defending Jacob into a feature film back in 2012, but nothing ever came of it. The series is scheduled to premiere on Apple TV+ on April 24. This comes to us from Apple TV+.