Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson to Star in Gripping New Thriller 'Down Cemetery Road'
British acting legends Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson star together in "Down Cemetery Road," a gripping eight-part thriller based on Mick Herron's acclaimed novel, which premiered on Apple TV+ on 29 October 2025 — with a second series already confirmed by Apple TV+, cementing the show's status as one of the most talked-about and critically acclaimed British dramas of recent years.
Background
Mick Herron is one of the most celebrated British crime and spy fiction writers of his generation, best known for the Slough House series of novels that were adapted into the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series "Slow Horses," starring Gary Oldman. "Down Cemetery Road" is based on the first book in Herron's Zoë Boehm series, introducing another of his compelling and unconventional characters to the screen — and bringing with it the same sharp wit, moral complexity, and atmospheric tension that have made his work so beloved by readers and viewers alike.
The series was developed for television by Morwenna Banks, who serves as lead writer and executive producer. The production company is 60Forty Films, with executive producers including Emma Thompson herself, Mick Herron, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, and Tom Nash. The involvement of Thompson as both star and executive producer signals the depth of her commitment to the project and her confidence in the material. Thompson, a two-time Academy Award winner, brings formidable prestige and talent to the role of Zoë Boehm, the sardonic and unconventional private investigator at the heart of the story.
The show premiered on Apple TV+ on 29 October 2025 to widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Thompson's performance as "a joy" and the series as a "slick thriller" that more than lives up to the pedigree of its source material. Apple TV+ has since confirmed a second series, a vote of confidence that reflects both the show's critical success and its strong audience numbers on the platform. The renewal was announced in December 2025, with production on the second series expected to begin in 2026.
Key Developments
The story begins when a house explodes in a quiet Oxford suburb and a young girl, Dinah Singleton, vanishes. When her neighbour, Sarah Trafford (Ruth Wilson), becomes suspicious of the official narrative, she hires the misanthropic private investigator Zoë Boehm (Emma Thompson) to find the truth. Their investigation quickly spirals into a dangerous confrontation with a complex conspiracy involving state secrets and a network of shadowy operatives — territory that will feel familiar to fans of Herron's Slough House novels, but which is given a fresh and distinctive treatment in this new series.
The ensemble cast is formidable, featuring Adeel Akhtar, Darren Boyd, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Adam Godley, Tom Goodman-Hill, Fehinti Balogun, and Lydia Leonard in supporting roles. The combination of Thompson's sardonic, world-weary Zoë Boehm and Wilson's increasingly desperate Sarah Trafford provides the dramatic engine of the series, with both performers delivering career-best work according to many critics. The Guardian's review described Thompson as "a joy" in the role, praising the series as a "slick thriller" that successfully translates Herron's distinctive voice to the screen.
The series has also been praised for its production values, with the Oxford locations providing a suitably atmospheric backdrop for the story's blend of suburban menace and state conspiracy. The eight-episode structure allows the narrative to develop at a measured pace, building tension and character depth in a way that distinguishes it from more formulaic thriller fare.
Why It Matters
"Down Cemetery Road" matters because it represents the continued strength and ambition of British television drama at a time when the industry faces significant challenges from streaming competition and production cost pressures. The combination of Mick Herron's source material, Morwenna Banks's adaptation, and the star power of Thompson and Wilson has produced a series that competes comfortably with the best of international television drama. It also demonstrates the enduring appeal of the British spy and crime thriller genre, and the capacity of streaming platforms like Apple TV+ to invest in high-quality, distinctly British storytelling.
Local Impact
For British and Irish audiences, "Down Cemetery Road" is essential viewing — a prestige drama that showcases the best of homegrown talent both in front of and behind the camera. Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson are two of the most respected actors of their generation, and their pairing in a Mick Herron adaptation is the kind of event television that demands attention. The series is available on Apple TV+ for subscribers across the UK and Ireland, and its second series confirmation means there is plenty more to look forward to in the coming year.
What's Next
With a second series of "Down Cemetery Road" confirmed, Mick Herron fans and new viewers alike have much to anticipate. Production on the second series is expected to begin later in 2026, with a likely premiere date in 2027. In the meantime, all eight episodes of the first series are available to stream on Apple TV+. Further details are available via the Apple TV+ press release confirming the second series, and The Guardian's review of the first series.
