SMOKE

Smoke burns bright with a fiery intensity from its outstanding lead performance from Taron Egerton and an unforgettable supporting turn from Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and compelling character development and writing that ensures every second of this crime drama is riveting television that you won’t be able to stop watching.

One of the most destructive forces in nature is fire. Burning hot and quick, often sparking instantly and becoming an unstoppable force, it more than often becomes an uncontrollable and devastating force that changes the lives of all those it touches. It is this idea that is at the centre of the latest AppleTV+ miniseries Smoke. Inspired by the podcast Firebug and real life arsonist John Leonard Orr, Dennis Lehane’s latest miniseries reunites him with star Taron Egerton after previously collaborating on 2022’s Black Bird for another riveting character driven drama that follows a detective and arson investigator working together to stop two serial arsonists. Over the course of nine episodes, what unfolds is not only a thrilling hunt for two criminals but a riveting exploration of the psyche of those who finds their lives changed forever by fires and those who are drawn to inflict its destructive powers upon others, delivering yet another excellent series to add to the AppleTV+ library.

Given the prolific works that Lehane has written, it should come as no surprise that Smoke delivers excellent television that audiences won’t be able to stop watching. Arson is a terrifying crime that forever alters the lives of those affected by it, whether it be they are killed by the fiery blaze or left forever scarred, and this harrowing intensity is never for a second lost on viewers. The fire sequences themselves are terrifying, plunging the viewer right into the middle of the chaos and destruction thanks to the excellent visual effects and sound design, while the aftermath is never downplayed from gruesome shots of the terrible burns, scorched bodies and buildings that are destroyed, ensuring that every single fire sequence is a heart pounding experience.

But beyond these destructive moments, Lehane weaves an excellent crime drama full of rich character writing and twists and turns that is equally as focused on our protagonists and the two arsonists. While one arsonist’s identity is kept hidden at the start before diving into their intriguing mental psyche and their motivations for setting fires, the series gives a heartbreaking look at one of the arsonists, Freddy Fasano, focusing on the tragic life circumstances that has driven him towards a love for fire and its destructive powers to give him control in an otherwise powerless existence. Contrasting to the arsonists is the character of Detective Michell Calderon, not merely one of the individuals tracking down an arsonist but a victim of fire herself, seeing the decades-long effect it has had on her and her family. With all of this set against the hunt for the two arsonists, which only gets more intense with each additional fire set that eventually turns into a twisted and deadly game of cat and mouse, Lehane has delivered a phenomenal season of television that is set to become your next television obsession.

For his third project with AppleTV+ after Black Bird and Tetris, Egerton continues to deliver outstanding work that cements himself as one of the most talented actors of his generation. While we often see Egerton as the hero of stories he takes on, even ones with great demons like in Rocketman and Black Bird, the role of Dave Gudsen gives him his most complex character to date. Over the course of the miniseries, Egerton strips down Dave from the well mannered detective we first meet as his inner demons fuelled by his obsession and past traumas, giving a chilling performance to say the least. Reminiscent of an unhinged Jack Nicholson at times, Egerton is down right diabolical and disturbing when required, adding another excellent performance to his resume.

Equally as impressive as Egerton is the series’ supporting cast, ensuring that there is not a second of Smoke without riveting character work. Jurnee Smollett is excellent as Dave’s newly assigned partner Michelle Calderon, digging deep into her character’s psyche as she grapples with her past traumas with fire and how it drives her determination to catch the two arsonists. Opposite Egerton, Smollett and Egerton make a truly dynamic duo showing differing views on detective work and fires that fuels the plot as the investigation deepens. John Leguizamo brings his spirited energy to Esposito which injects some levity to an otherwise intense story, Rafe Spall is excellent as Michell’s superior Steven Burk, and the morality that Greg Kinnear grapples with as Harvey Englehart is a great addition as his character has to come to terms with what he has neglected to see for so many years. But it is Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Freddy Fasano, one of the serial arsonists, who gives the best supporting performances. While he is one of the antagonists of the series, his performance is absolutely heartbreaking as he becomes this man cast aside by society and left to fend for himself, finding his only solace in the fleeting power that setting fires gives him. The vulnerability the Mwine brings to the role is devastating and raw, ensuring that while his character is terrifying as he sets his eye on his next victim, there is a silent hope within viewers that Freddy will get the help or chance to change his life that he deserves.

It’s always hard to find a good new television series to start, especially with so many series premiering within a month, but Smoke is one to make time for. With Dennis Lehane behind the latest AppleTV+ miniseries and knowing his track record for great storytelling, it should be no surprise that while being a bit of a slow burn, that Smoke is not only exceptionally plotted and incredibly performed, but engrossing television that is surely to give viewers one harrowing and unforgettable watch. Led by a truly spectacular Taron Egerton taking his performance to extremes that we don’t normally see from him that showcase his versatility, Smoke brings a fiery intensity that when combined with the top tier storytelling, character development and an excellent ensemble cast featuring strong work from Jurnee Smollett and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, makes for must watch television.