Exploring the Windy City's Captivating TV Landscape

Chicago, the third-largest city in America, has long been a captivating backdrop for hit novels, films, and television shows. From the critically acclaimed "The Bear" to the upcoming sci-fi epic "Dark Matter," the city's neighborhoods, restaurants, and attractions have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. This article delves into the current and classic Windy City-set television shows that are worth exploring.

Uncover the Secrets of Chicago's Parallel Universes and Courtroom Dramas

Navigating the Multiverse in "Dark Matter"

The Apple TV+ series "Dark Matter" follows the story of Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a physics professor at the fictional Lakemont College, who is abducted and transported to an alternate universe. Desperate to return to his own world and reunite with his wife Daniella (Jennifer Connelly) and son Charlie (Oakes Fegley), Jason navigates through countless versions of Chicago, some of which are ravaged by nuclear devastation or plagues. Despite a few minor inaccuracies, such as the underground train tracks in the Logan Square neighborhood, the show's location-based scenes outside the Loop offer a rare and captivating glimpse into the city's diverse landscapes.

Uncovering the Truth in "Presumed Innocent"

The Apple TV+ series "Presumed Innocent" is a reimagining of the 1987 novel by Chicago native Scott Turow. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor whose colleague and mistress, Carolyn (Renate Reinsve), is brutally murdered, the show follows his efforts to clear his name and repair his marriage to Barbara (Ruth Negga). While some may question the need for a second adaptation of this story, in the hands of acclaimed showrunner David E. Kelley ("Big Little Lies"), the series often proves to be a gripping and compelling exploration of the legal system and personal relationships.

Navigating the Cyclical Nature of Violence in "The Chi"

Showtime's "The Chi" is one of the few Chicago-based television shows that focuses on the city's historically neglected south side. The series, which has been renewed for a seventh season, revolves around the murder of a teenager named Jason and the ripple effects it has on the lives of those around him, including Coogie (Jahking Guillory), Kevin (Alex Hibbert), and Brandon (Jason Mitchell). Filmed on location in areas that tourists rarely see and that the city's wealthier residents would prefer to ignore, "The Chi" offers a raw and engrossing look at the cyclical nature of violence, while also finding moments of hope and joy.

Revisiting Chicago Classics: From "ER" to "Shameless"

While the current crop of Chicago-set television shows offers a fresh perspective on the city, there are also several all-time classics that are worth revisiting. "ER," the soapy medical drama that ran for 15 seasons, featured some exquisitely Chicago-centric plotlines, including a mass casualty event when one of the city's ubiquitous wooden back porches collapses. "Easy," the Netflix anthology series created by mumblecore pioneer Joe Swanberg, was a love letter to the city's north side neighborhoods, even if it sometimes treated the setting perfunctorily. "The Good Wife," starring Julianna Margulies as a corporate lawyer, and the 11 seasons of "Shameless," a Showtime comedy about a dysfunctional family in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, are also must-watch Chicago classics.