Apple TV+ has premiered 'Down Cemetery Road,' a new crime drama adapted from Mick Herron's 2003 debut novel, starring Emma Thompson as private detective Zoë Boehm and Ruth Wilson as art restorer Sarah Tucker. The series centers on an explosion in an Oxford neighborhood and the mysterious disappearance of a young girl, leading to a web of murders and a British government cover-up. Reviews highlight the show's blend of thrills, humor, and strong performances from its ensemble cast.
Overview and Plot
'Down Cemetery Road' marks Apple TV+'s latest adaptation of author Mick Herron's work, following the success of the spy thriller 'Slow Horses.' Unlike its espionage-focused predecessor, this series shifts to crime drama, set in Oxford, United Kingdom. The story begins with Sarah Tucker (Ruth Wilson), an art restorer preparing a dinner party, when a nearby house explodes, killing two adults and leaving their 6-year-old daughter, Dinah, as the sole survivor. Sarah becomes obsessed with Dinah's fate after learning the girl has vanished and official records are sealed, prompting her to hire private investigator Joe (Adam Godley). This quest draws in Joe's wife, Zoë Boehm (Emma Thompson), a bold and abrasive detective, as they uncover further murders tied to a high-level government conspiracy.
The plot features intelligence agency intrigue, with head C (Darren Boyd) and underling Hamza (Adeel Akhtar) scrambling to contain a mess involving a vengeful assassin (Fehinti Balogun). A tense chase sequence on a train to Scotland adds Hitchcockian suspense. Herron's narrative critiques the U.K. government's self-serving ruthlessness, a theme echoed in his 'Slough House' books.
Cast and Performances
Emma Thompson's Zoë Boehm is a standout, portrayed as a lanky, sarcastic punk with spiky silver hair and black stovepipe jeans, evoking shades of 'Slow Horses'' Jackson Lamb but with more charisma and an active personal life. Ruth Wilson transforms Sarah into a dormant bohemian reignited by the mystery, her performance described as mesmeric. Supporting roles include Tom Riley as Sarah's banker husband, Tom Goodman-Hill as a vile businessman, and Adeel Akhtar as a bumbling operative.
Critics note how the actors elevate the source material's weaknesses, such as Sarah's sometimes unclear motivations. Writer Morwenna Banks, known for comedy sketches with Thompson and voicing Mummy Pig in 'Peppa Pig,' infuses the series with British wit and snark, balancing violence with humor. It presents an absurdist take on inept men causing chaos that brilliant women must resolve.
Author's Perspective and Reception
Mick Herron expressed satisfaction with the adaptation in an interview, stating he's 'very happy' with how Apple TV+ brought his first novel to screen. Reviews from outlets like Slate, The Telegraph, and The A.V. Club praise the show's confident pacing, ensemble chemistry, and potential for future seasons based on the three other Zoë Boehm novels. The first two episodes are now streaming on Apple TV+.
While the novel has flaws like underdeveloped characters, the series overcomes them through production values and acting, making it a 'thoroughbred' from the 'Slow Horses' stable. However, Sarah and Zoë may not form a lasting duo, as later books shift focus, potentially allowing Thompson's Zoë to pair with a new sidekick.