Move over, quiet academia. A storm of deception is brewing in the heart of Oxford, courtesy of Mick Herron – the mastermind behind the acclaimed Slow Horses – and his electrifying return to television with Down Cemetery Road. This eight-part psychological thriller, adapted from Herron’s debut Zoë Boehm novel, premieres exclusively on Apple TV+ this Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 (UK), promising a meticulously crafted descent into paranoia that redefines the missing-child narrative. Forget predictable procedurals; Herron delivers an edgy, astringent blend of escalating tension and darkly comic wit, immediately establishing this as the must-see conspiracy thriller of the season.
Starring the incomparable Ruth Wilson as Sarah Trafford, a precise art historian whose orderly world implodes, and the formidable Emma Thompson embodying the sharp, enigmatic private investigator Zoë Boehm, the series begins deceptively. What seems like a routine act of neighbourly concern – delivering a get-well card to a child injured in a sudden, devastating gas explosion that rips through Sarah’s Oxford street – spirals with terrifying speed into something far more sinister. That child is missing. The official narrative feels hollow. Fueled by a potent mix of empathy and an escape from her stifling routine, Sarah’s casual curiosity curdles into dangerous obsession.
Her path inevitably crosses with Zoë Boehm, a veteran investigator whose own past is shrouded in mystery. United by a shared unease and relentless drive, these two formidable women form an unlikely alliance. Together, they peel back layers of meticulously constructed lies, uncovering a vast government-linked conspiracy that stretches from their seemingly tranquil suburb directly into the shadowy corridors of national power. As The Guardian astutely observes, the series offers “an enjoyably astringent, increasingly nervy mixture of edge-walking intrigue and pitch-black humour.” The New York Times captures its essence as a plunge into a genuine “rabbit hole of conspiracies.” Like Slow Horses, Herron’s signature dry, sardonic wit provides a disquieting counterpoint to the mounting peril, making the dread all the more palpable.
Sarah’s husband, Mark (Tom Riley), represents the life she’s risking, while figures like Darren Boyd’s chillingly ambiguous operative “C” (and his ruthless assistant, Hamza, played by Adeel Akhtar) work tirelessly to bury the truth. The investigation draws in key players: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Detective Downey, caught between duty and the unsettling reality; Tom Goodman-Hill as Gerard, a former colleague holding crucial clues; Adam Godley as Zoë’s trusted detective contact, Joe Silverman; and the volatile Steven Cree as Bob Poland. Supporting roles by Fehinti Balogun (the terrifying assassin Amos), Sinéad Matthews, Ken Nwosu, and Aiysha Hart flesh out a rich, morally complex world where trust is the ultimate vulnerability.
Down Cemetery Road is not merely a mystery; it’s a dissection of suburban fragility, the weight of secrets, and the terrifying ease with which ordinary lives can be consumed by forces beyond comprehension. Herron, known for his intricate plotting and morally grey characters, imbues every frame with palpable tension. Wilson delivers a performance of brittle intensity, perfectly mirrored by Thompson’s world-weary yet fiercely intelligent Boehm. Their dynamic is the engine driving this intricate plot, where every ally could be a threat and every truth a carefully laid trap.
Prepare for the unraveling. Apple TV+ kicks off the series with the first two episodes on October 29th, followed by weekly releases. This is Mick Herron operating at the peak of his powers, crafting a sophisticated, deeply unsettling thriller that proves quiet streets often hide the loudest screams. Don’t just watch the premiere – brace for the conspiracy.
