Apple TV+ is doubling down on British noir with Down Cemetery Road, a high-stakes, slow-burn thriller based on Mick Herron’s debut novel—the same author behind the acclaimed Slow Horses series. Slated to be one of Apple’s most intriguing mystery dramas, the show stars Oscar-winner Emma Thompson and Emmy-winner Ruth Wilson, and is helmed by Slow Horses producer Morwenna Banks. With production wrapped and anticipation building, Down Cemetery Road is shaping up to be a cerebral, emotionally tense ride into obsession, secrets, and the unraveling of a seemingly quaint community.
The Premise: A Suburban Explosion, a Missing Girl, and a Dangerous Truth
The story opens with a literal bang—an explosion in a quiet Oxford neighborhood—and the inexplicable disappearance of a young girl in its wake. Ruth Wilson plays Sarah Tucker, a woman haunted by the event, who becomes disturbingly obsessed with finding out what really happened. Her search draws her into the orbit of Zoë Boehm, a sharp, no-nonsense private investigator played by Emma Thompson, who reluctantly joins the investigation. Together, they start to pull at threads that lead them to a dangerous conspiracy—one that involves people long thought dead and secrets buried deep in the heart of the British establishment.
Herron’s original novel, praised for its psychological insight and layered characters, provides rich material for a series that is more about mood, paranoia, and emotional collapse than traditional whodunnits. And if Slow Horses is anything to go by, we can expect biting dialogue, moral ambiguity, and characters who are often their own worst enemies.
Cast and Production Details
The lead duo is backed by an impressive ensemble that includes:
- Adeel Akhtar
- Nathan Stewart-Jarrett
- Tom Goodman-Hill
- Darren Boyd
- Tom Riley
- Adam Godley
- Sinead Matthews
- Ken Nwosu
- Fehinti Balogun
- Aiysha Hart
Filming took place across Bristol and Somerset from June to September 2024, with no reshoots or production delays reported. This suggests a smooth post-production phase and a potential release as early as late 2025.
What Sets Down Cemetery Road Apart?
Unlike the frenetic pacing of many modern thrillers, this series leans into psychological depth and atmospheric dread. The partnership of Thompson and Wilson promises a character-driven approach, focusing on grief, guilt, and the compulsion to make sense of trauma. Morwenna Banks, known for her sharp writing and ability to tap into emotional nuance, is adapting the script—so expect a blend of dark humor and poignancy beneath the tension.
How It Connects to Slow Horses
While Down Cemetery Road is a standalone adaptation, it shares not just a creator with Slow Horses but also its tone and thematic DNA. Both are set in contemporary Britain, both dig beneath the surface of state power and bureaucracy, and both use flawed, human characters to explore moral gray zones. Fans of Jackson Lamb’s world will likely find this a kindred companion series, even if it’s less about espionage and more about psychological collapse.
What’s Next?
- Release Date: Still unannounced, but with filming wrapped in 2024, a late 2025 or early 2026 release seems likely.
- Trailer: No official trailer has been released yet. Expect one to drop in the months leading up to the premiere.
- Episode Count: Not yet confirmed, but Apple TV+ dramas typically range from 6 to 8 episodes per season.
- Potential for a Series: If successful, this may be the first of multiple adaptations in Mick Herron’s Zoë Boehm series.
Final Take
Down Cemetery Road has all the makings of a prestige thriller—A-list leads, a gripping literary source, and the creative team behind one of Apple’s most successful British dramas. With its post-production phase complete, all eyes are now on Apple for a release date and first trailer. Expect a haunting, sophisticated thriller that lingers long after the credits roll.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ has tapped Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson for “Down Cemetery Road,” a thriller about a missing girl and a house explosion in Oxford.
- The show is adapted from a novel by Mick Herron, who also wrote the hit “Slow Horses” series.
- The story focuses on neighbor Sarah Tucker and PI Zoë Boehm as they dig into a dangerous conspiracy involving people thought to be dead.
Overview of Apple TV+’s Down Cemetery Road
Apple TV+ is adapting Mick Herron’s “Down Cemetery Road” into a new series starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. The story? A house explodes in Oxford, a girl vanishes, and suddenly there’s a whole conspiracy unraveling.
Plot and Setting
The thriller series kicks off with a bang—literally—a shocking house explosion in a quiet Oxford suburb that leads to a little girl going missing. Sarah Tucker, the neighbor, can’t let it go.
Her obsession drags her to private investigator Zoë Boehm, and together, they get sucked into a web of secrets that’s way more dangerous than they expect. The story hops between Oxford and Bristol as the layers of conspiracy start to peel away.
Honestly, the setting is half the fun here. Oxford’s got that academic polish, but it hides a lot of rot underneath—perfect for a thriller where the calm surface is always about to crack. The peaceful neighborhood vibe just makes the chaos hit harder.
Cast and Main Characters
Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson headline the series. Wilson is Sarah Tucker, the neighbor who witnesses the explosion and just can’t let it go. Thompson steps into the shoes of Zoë Boehm, the PI who probably should’ve walked away but doesn’t.
Their partnership—sometimes rocky, sometimes surprisingly warm—is the heart of the show as they stumble through threats and revelations. The cast is getting fleshed out with ten more actors, so expect a whole gallery of suspects, allies, and red herrings.
Creative Team and Production Companies
Morwenna Banks is adapting the book and steering the ship as lead writer. She’s working from Herron’s original novel, which first hit shelves back in 2003.
60Forty Films is producing, with Natalie Bailey coming in to help shape the look and feel of the series. Jay Hunt is on board as creative director, bringing plenty of experience to the table. This one’s being called a “companion series” to “Slow Horses,” which makes sense—same author, same knack for twisty, character-driven stories.
Executive producers are keeping a close eye to make sure the show captures Herron’s signature style and doesn’t just become another generic thriller.
Key Themes, Adaptation, and Industry Context
“Down Cemetery Road” is shaping up to be a sharp, moody spy thriller with crackling writing and some seriously good acting. It’s got Herron’s fingerprints all over it—obsession, missing people, and the messy search for truth.
Adaptation and Writing Style
The Apple TV+ adaptation of “Down Cemetery Road” sticks close to Herron’s biting style. Morwenna Banks is handling the script, keeping the dialogue sharp and the characters complicated.
Sarah Tucker’s obsession with the missing girl is the engine that drives everything. The premise is simple, but the emotional undercurrents—grief, guilt, maybe a little self-destruction—keep things interesting.
Herron’s dark humor is still there, too. He’s got a knack for making you laugh right when things get bleak, which gives the show a tone you don’t see in most thrillers.
Industry Recognition and Related Works
Emma Thompson brings some serious weight to the project—she’s got Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes on her shelf. Ruth Wilson’s no slouch either, with a Golden Globe for “The Affair” and a reputation for picking challenging roles (“Luther,” “His Dark Materials,” you name it).
This is Apple’s second big swing at Herron’s books after “Slow Horses,” which has already won over critics and viewers. Given that track record, expectations are sky-high for “Down Cemetery Road.”
Comparisons to Other Series
Sure, “Down Cemetery Road” is a spy thriller, but it’s not your typical cloak-and-dagger stuff. Herron’s stories usually focus on flawed people, not super-spies. Here, it’s about regular folks—Sarah and Zoë—caught in something way over their heads.
If you’re expecting another “Slow Horses,” you’ll get some of that vibe, but this show’s more about civilians than MI5 rejects. That shift makes it feel fresh, at least to me.
And while HBO has its share of thrillers, this one’s got a distinctly British feel. Oxford isn’t just a backdrop; it’s woven into the DNA of the story, with its mix of tradition, secrets, and quiet menace.
Frequently Asked Questions
People are already buzzing with questions about the new Apple TV+ thriller “Down Cemetery Road” starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. Here’s a quick FAQ rundown:
Where can you watch ‘Down Cemetery Road’?
“Down Cemetery Road” will be streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. You’ll need an Apple TV+ subscription, but there’s usually a free trial if you want to test the waters first. Watch it on your iPhone, iPad, smart TV, whatever you’ve got.
What is the release date for ‘Down Cemetery Road’ on Apple TV+?
There’s no official release date yet. Apple greenlit the series in April 2024, and filming is underway. Apple tends to keep dates under wraps until closer to launch, so keep an eye on their site for updates.
Is ‘Down Cemetery Road’ available on Netflix?
Nope, “Down Cemetery Road” is an Apple TV+ original, so you won’t find it on Netflix. Apple’s got the exclusive rights, and it doesn’t look like that’ll change.
How many episodes does ‘Down Cemetery Road’ have?
Apple hasn’t said exactly how many episodes we’re getting. If they stick to their usual drama formula, expect somewhere between 8 and 10 episodes, probably an hour-ish each. That’s just a guess, but it fits their pattern.
Where was ‘Down Cemetery Road’ filmed?
No official word on filming locations yet. The book’s set in Oxford, so odds are good that at least some shooting happened there. More details should trickle out as the premiere gets closer.
Who are the cast members featured in ‘Down Cemetery Road’?
So, Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson are front and center for this one—Apple TV+ made it official. With these two leading, you can probably expect something special from this adaptation of Mick Herron’s novel. Honestly, that’s a pretty exciting pair.
On top of that, Apple’s brought in ten more cast members to fill out the ensemble. The whole cast list is out there, but, annoyingly, most of the character details are still under wraps.
As for the story, it’s all about a tangled conspiracy—think people who were supposed to be dead… maybe not so much. That’s straight from the official Apple TV+ announcement. Intriguing, right?
