Apple TV+ has launched the eight-episode mystery series Down Cemetery Road, adapted from Mick Herron's debut novel and serving as a companion to the hit show Slow Horses. Emma Thompson stars as private investigator Zoë Boehm alongside Ruth Wilson as Sarah Tucker, who uncovers a conspiracy following a house explosion in Oxford. The first two episodes debuted on October 29, 2025, with weekly releases through December 10.
Overview
Down Cemetery Road marks Apple TV+'s expansion into author Mick Herron's universe beyond the acclaimed Slow Horses series. Adapted from Herron's 2003 debut novel—the first in a four-book series—the show swaps London's spy intrigue for an Oxford-set mystery involving private investigators and everyday civilians entangled in a government cover-up. Developed by Slow Horses writer Morwenna Banks, the series premiered on October 29, 2025, with the initial two episodes available immediately, followed by one new episode each Wednesday until the finale on December 10.
Plot and Production
The story begins with a house explosion during a dinner party in a quiet Oxford suburb, where two people die and a young girl ends up in the hospital. Neighbor Sarah Tucker (Ruth Wilson), an art conservator, becomes obsessed with the missing child and enlists the help of struggling private eye Zoë Boehm (Emma Thompson) and her partner Joe Silverman (Adam Godley). What starts as a personal quest spirals into a complex conspiracy revealing hidden survivors and mounting deaths.
Apple TV+ Creative Director, Europe, praised the adaptation for capturing "all the hallmarks of Mick Herron’s funny and acerbic writing," noting that "Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson will make it an unmissable companion piece for Slow Horses." Produced by 60Forty Films, the series shares Slow Horses' mordant wit and action but emphasizes a distinct Oxford atmosphere, with fewer shared scenes between leads until later episodes to build tension.
Cast
The ensemble includes:
- Ruth Wilson as Sarah Tucker
- Emma Thompson as Zoë Boehm
- Adam Godley as Joe Silverman
- Adeel Akhtar as Hamza
- Fehinti Balogun as Amos
- Darren Boyd as C
- Tom Riley as Mark
A trailer is available on Apple TV+, highlighting the thriller's setup. The subscription costs £8.99 monthly after a 7-day free trial, with extended options for EE members.