Taron Egerton takes on one of his most unsettling television roles in Smoke, the gripping 2025 crime thriller from acclaimed writer Dennis Lehane. Released on Apple TV+ in June 2025, the nine-episode series begins with an investigation into a string of mysterious fires before gradually revealing a much darker story about secrets, deception and the people hiding behind carefully constructed identities.
Egerton stars as Dave Gudsen, a former firefighter who now works as an arson investigator in the fictional Pacific Northwest town of Umberland. When two separate serial arsonists begin causing havoc, Dave is reluctantly partnered with police detective Michelle Calderone, played by Jurnee Smollett. Together, they attempt to uncover the truth, but the deeper they investigate, the more complicated the case becomes.
The series also introduces Freddy Fasano, portrayed by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, a troubled fast-food worker whose connection to the unfolding investigation adds another compelling layer to the mystery. Meanwhile, Michelle has personal and professional difficulties of her own, making her partnership with Dave anything but straightforward.
The supporting cast includes Greg Kinnear, John Leguizamo, Rafe Spall, Hannah Emily Anderson and Anna Chlumsky. Behind the series is Dennis Lehane, the acclaimed author and screenwriter previously associated with Black Bird and Mystic River.
Inspired by the true-crime podcast Firebug, Smoke draws on the real case of convicted serial arsonist John Leonard Orr, although its characters and central storyline are fictionalised.
What initially looks like a conventional investigation develops into a psychological thriller filled with moral contradictions and unexpected revelations. Rather than simply asking who is responsible, the series challenges viewers to consider how well anyone can truly know another person.
The first season contains nine episodes and is available on Apple TV+. Its age classification varies by region, so viewers should check the local rating before watching.
