- by Ashton Beauregard
- on 30 Oct, 2025
When Emma Thompson steps into the muddy boots of private investigator Zoë Boehm in Down Cemetery Road: Season 1the United Kingdom, you don’t just watch a detective story—you feel the chill of a British autumn seep through the screen. The series, which premiered globally on Apple TV+ at 12:01 AM UTC on October 29, 2025, is a faithful yet uneven adaptation of Mick Herron’s 2006 novel, the first in his Zoë Boehm series. It’s not perfect. But it’s got soul. And teeth.
The Mystery That Started It All
The story kicks off with a bang—or rather, an explosion. In a quiet neighborhood just outside London, a house detonates without warning, killing no one but leaving behind a missing girl and a neighborhood in shock. Enter Sarah Tucker (Ruth Wilson), a grieving neighbor who hires Zoë Boehm, a sharp-tongued, chain-smoking PI with a haunted past and a knack for asking the wrong questions at the right time. Thompson, in her first regular TV role since Years and Years in 2019, doesn’t just play Zoë—she inhabits her. There’s weariness in her voice, a dry wit in her glances, and a quiet fury beneath her trench coat. It’s the kind of performance that lingers.What makes the show compelling isn’t just the mystery—it’s the texture. The rain-slicked streets of London and its outskirts, the cluttered offices of underfunded private investigators, the way neighbors avoid each other’s eyes after tragedy. The production, handled by House Productions, filmed entirely in the UK between January and April 2024, and you can feel every brick, every puddle, every flickering streetlamp. It’s not glossy. It’s gritty. And that’s the point.
Who’s Behind the Camera—and Why It Matters
Mick Herron, the British author who wrote the original novel, didn’t just sell the rights—he co-wrote the screenplay with Morwenna Banks and served as executive producer. This is his first time adapting his own work for television, after Slow Horses became a breakout hit for Apple TV+ in 2022. That success gave him leverage—and creative control. The result? A series that feels less like a commercial product and more like a personal project.Director Natalie Bailey, known for her work on The Windsors and Starstruck, brings a surprising tonal balance. One moment you’re laughing at Zoë’s sarcastic remark to a pompous local councilman; the next, you’re holding your breath as she sneaks into a derelict house at midnight, flashlight trembling in her hand. The pacing is deliberate—six episodes, each released weekly through December 3, 2025—allowing tension to build like a slow-burning fuse.
And then there’s the budget. At $8 million per episode, totaling $96 million for the two-season order secured in September 2023, this isn’t a low-budget indie. But unlike many streaming shows that drown in CGI, Down Cemetery Road invests in atmosphere over spectacle. The explosion scene? Practical effects. The chase through the alleyways? Real actors, real bikes, real fear. It’s refreshing.
Critic Reactions: Mixed But Intriguing
On the day of the premiere, Richard Roeper, veteran film critic and co-host of At the Movies, wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times: “Down Cemetery Road is chock full of sharp one-liners, but also some impressively staged action scenes.” His review, published October 29, 2025, was one of the first—and it captured the tone perfectly.Yet, as of that same date, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic had no critic scores. No reviews yet. No user ratings. Just silence. That’s unusual for a show with this level of star power and production value. But maybe it’s because critics are waiting. Maybe they’re unsure if it’s a gem or a misfire. The truth? It’s both. The dialogue is razor-sharp. The performances are top-tier. But the central mystery? It meanders. Some subplots feel undercooked. The supporting cast—especially the neighbors and local cops—could use more depth.
Why This Show Matters in the Streaming Wars
Apple TV+ has quietly built a reputation for British mystery dramas. Slow Horses proved audiences would stick around for slow-burn, character-driven thrillers with political undertones. Down Cemetery Road is its spiritual cousin—not about spies and bureaucracy, but about grief, guilt, and the quiet violence of ordinary lives.With Emma Thompson attached, and House Productions behind it, Apple is betting that viewers crave authenticity over spectacle. And they might be right. In a market flooded with flashy superhero shows and AI-generated procedurals, here’s something that feels… human.
What’s Next?
The season finale drops on December 3, 2025. Rumors are swirling that Apple has already greenlit Season 2, given the $96 million initial commitment. If the audience holds on through the slower middle episodes, there’s potential for a long-running series. Zoë Boehm’s world—full of broken people, hidden secrets, and crumbling estates—is ripe for expansion.For now, if you’re a fan of Luther, The Missing, or even Broadchurch, give this a shot. Don’t expect a blockbuster. Expect a whisper. And listen closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ‘Down Cemetery Road’ based on a true story?
No, the series is a fictional adaptation of Mick Herron’s 2006 novel, the first in his Zoë Boehm book series. While the setting and tone draw from real British crime fiction traditions, all characters and events are invented. Herron’s previous works, like the Slough House series, are also entirely fictional, though grounded in realistic intelligence agency dynamics.
Why is Emma Thompson’s casting significant?
Thompson’s role as Zoë Boehm marks her first regular TV series lead since 2019’s Years and Years. Known for film roles like Howards End and Love Actually, her choice to return to television signals a shift in prestige TV’s appeal to A-list actors. Her collaboration with House Productions also continues a creative partnership dating back to 2017’s The Children Act.
How does this compare to Apple TV+’s ‘Slow Horses’?
Both series are based on Mick Herron’s novels and produced by House Productions, but they’re tonally distinct. Slow Horses is a political spy thriller with dark humor; Down Cemetery Road is a character-driven mystery focused on personal trauma and community secrets. While Slough House has a larger ensemble, Down Cemetery Road centers on Zoë’s solitary, emotionally raw journey.
Are there plans for more seasons?
Apple TV+ secured a two-season order in September 2023, with the $96 million budget covering both. While no official renewal announcement has been made for Season 2, the show’s strong production values and critical buzz make it likely. Herron’s Zoë Boehm series includes four novels, offering ample source material for future seasons.
Why didn’t critics review it right away?
Some critics wait until the full season is available before reviewing, especially for serialized dramas. Others may have received access after the premiere. As of October 29, 2025, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic showed no scores, but reviews began appearing within days. The delay doesn’t indicate poor reception—it’s common for streaming shows to get staggered critical responses.
Where was the series filmed?
Principal photography took place between January and April 2024 across London and surrounding counties in England. While specific locations weren’t disclosed, production notes confirm the use of real residential streets, abandoned buildings, and local pubs to maintain authenticity. The series deliberately avoids recognizable landmarks to preserve the novel’s sense of ordinary, overlooked places.