AppleTV has once again proven its knack for intelligent thrillers with Down Cemetery Road, a gripping and elegantly crafted mystery that turns the quiet streets of Oxford into a maze of secrets, guilt, and buried truths. Adapted from Mick Herron’s debut novel and brought to life by writer Morwenna Banks, the series blends sharp British wit with an atmosphere of growing unease. What begins as a simple story of a house explosion and a missing girl becomes something far stranger and more emotionally rich than anyone expects.
At the center of it all are two magnetic performances. Ruth Wilson is mesmerizing as Sarah Trafford, an art restorer whose life unravels after witnessing a devastating explosion next door. Her obsession with finding the missing child gives the show its restless energy. She’s not a detective by trade but her curiosity and conscience refuse to let go. Emma Thompson matches her perfectly as private investigator Zoe Boehm, whose weary pragmatism and dry humor make her both endearing and unpredictable. Together they form an unlikely partnership, two women digging into a mystery that starts small and soon stretches into a conspiracy that touches the highest levels of power.
The writing is taut and darkly funny, as you’d expect from an adaptation of Herron’s work. The dialogue crackles with irony and intelligence, balancing tension with flashes of absurdity that feel distinctly British. Beneath the surface thrills lies a story about identity and loss. Nothing and no one can be trusted, not even the comforting normalcy of a suburban street.
Visually, Down Cemetery Road looks stunning. The cinematography captures Oxford’s muted beauty, turning its cobbled lanes and ivy-clad houses into something quietly menacing. The direction avoids the glossy sheen of many modern thrillers, opting instead for a lived-in realism that makes every discovery feel grounded and unnervingly plausible. The pacing is deliberate but never dull, allowing tension to build naturally as Sarah and Zoe uncover the layers beneath the explosion that started it all.
There is also a warmth that keeps the series from sinking into cynicism. Both lead performances bring emotional depth to the story, reminding viewers that the heart of this mystery isn’t government corruption or espionage but a simple human need for truth. Even when the plot expands into the territory of cover-ups and shadowy figures, it never loses sight of its emotional core.
For fans of Slow Horses or classic British mystery dramas, Down Cemetery Road offers something familiar yet refreshing. It’s a series that rewards patience and attention, one that trusts its audience to follow complex threads and subtle character beats. Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson make a dream pairing, and their chemistry alone is worth the watch.
By the end of the first episodes, it’s clear that AppleTV has another prestige gem on its hands. Thoughtful, suspenseful, and beautifully acted, Down Cemetery Road transforms a seemingly ordinary mystery into a meditation on truth, loss, and the lies we live with. It’s the kind of show that lingers long after the credits roll, proof that the best mysteries aren’t about solving puzzles but uncovering the people behind them.
New episodes premiere Wednesdays on AppleTV.
