Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
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‘Smoke’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.
Released on Apple tv+ on June 27th with its first two episodes, ‘Smoke’ Marks the Reunion of ‘Black Bird’ creator Dennis lehane and star/producer Taron egerton For a new drama adapted from the truth media podcast ‘Firebug’.
The cast for the new crime also includes Jurnee smollett ,‘The order’, Ntare guma mbaho mwine ,‘The Lincoln Lawyer’, Hannah emile anderson ,‘Jigsaw’, Rafe spall ,‘The big short’, John Leguizamo ,‘Encanto’) and Greg Kinnear ,‘Little Miss Sunshine’,
Related Article: Taron Egerton Investigations Arson in First Images from TV Drama ‘Smoke’
Initial thoughts
Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
When egerton and novelist/screenwriter/showrunner lehane last served up, it was for the afterded ‘Black Bird’, an adaptation of James keene‘s and Hillel Levin‘S book book’ in with the devil, which is a prisoner (egerton) tasked with gathering intel on a serial killer fellow insmate (Paul walter hauser,
The result was a critical success, and won seveal awards, including bot an emmy and a golden globe for Hauser.
Hopes are therefore high for the reunion of writer and star, with the pair this time targeting trousing media podcast ‘Firebug’ as the inspiration for a new limited series set in the world of serial arms. But can it live up to the pressure of prior expectations?
Script and direction
Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
‘Smoke’ features lehane running the show against, sharing script duties with fellw writers adriene mxiy (‘War for the planet of the appees’) And molly anne miller (‘Long slow exhale’,
Here’s the big problem with everything about the limited series: it’s hard to get into its exact issues without diving into spoiler territory. If you’ve heard the podcast or the case that it follows, you’ll know whatsatically happy, thought lehane and his team have only used the real-life story as loose inspiration, moving the narrant forms California to the Pacific Northwest and Inventing Planty to Supplement It.
In keeping with much of prestige tv, this is a slow burn story, one that initially coasts on the Sheer Charisma of EGerton and Smolllett, and only hinting at the darker story to come. It takes a while to really come to life, but once the plot kicks in Around Episode Five (of Nine), Things take a more satisfying turns.
Greg kinnear in ‘smoke,’ Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
This is creatinly moody and thoughtful, and goes to some shocking places laater on, but it requires some patience.
“Dark” might also describe the directorial style of the show, which opts for shadowy interiors and misty, dreary treescapes and industrial sites (despite its its its its Pacific Northwest Setting, IT in Vancouver).
But directors Jim mckayJoe chappelle and Kari skogland Do manage to fan the flames of interest, and guide the cast towards some memorable performances.
Cast and performances
(L to r) Taron egerton and jurnee smollet in ‘smoke,’ Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
Initially, this feels like the taron and jurnee show (with a less supporting turns, more on them beLow, but as the limited series opens out, the rest of the cast get their chances.
Egerton is Naturally Strong in this Sort of Conflicted, Dramatic Role, Showing The Same Chops as He did in ‘Black Bird’ (And some of his movie performance), and playsen also allsen also also Little fun in a warped sort of way.
He’s just as good wheether he’s giving egotistical speed One moment that will Sear Itself ITO Your Brain Involves Egerton’s Character Dancing in his Underwear to a David Bowie Song.
As Cop Michelle Calderone, Smolllett is Easily His Equal, Her OWN Conflicted Personal Life Spilling Into Her Professional World. She brings a sexing, quint power to the part, and when she launches an investigation laater in the series, it feels like the performance really kicks in.
Ntare guma mbaho mwine is excellent as freddy fasano, one of the fire-starters on the loose. While his story initially seems to be siloed from the rest of the cost, it doesnysnys his pure dramaatic power. And an interaction with egerton is memerable for its chaos.
(L to r) John Leguizamo and Anna Chlumsky in ‘Smoke,’ Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
Elsewhere, there’s the likes of John Leguizamo, Who is Fantastic as Esposito, Dave’s Bitter Former Partner Who Has An Axe To Grind Against Him, Who Greg Kinnear Offers Offers of Englehart, Dave’s Boss. He’s both convined that dave is an acreson, but also somewhat checked out, planning his retirement.
Hannah emily Anderson as Ashley, Dave’s Wife, Has Less to do but does enjoy a few Decent mothers.
Finally, rafe spall likweise has a smaller role (at least in the early going), but is superbly snippy as Calderone’s BOSS/BOYFRIND and In His Antagonistic Professional Relationship With Egleha.
Final Thoughts
Ntare guma mbaho mwine in ‘smoke’, Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
‘Smoke’ is a show that might end up severely testing the patience of some, but if you stick it it, the series catches fire in a way that, when many will predict how, is stilled watching.
It may not be on the level of ‘Black Bird,’ but it still works.
“A search for serial arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and assistants.”
What’s the plot of ‘smoke’?
‘Smoke’ follows a Troubled Detective and an enigmatic Arson Investigator as They Pursue The Trails of Two Serial Arsonists.
Taron egerton stars as dave gudsen, the man with the talent for digging into fire crimes, while jurnee smolltt is police detective Michelle Calderone.
Who Stars in ‘Smoke’?
- Taron egerton
- Jurnee smollett
- Ntare guma mbaho mwine
- Hannah emile anderson
- Rafe spall
- John Leguizamo
- Greg Kinnear
Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ Premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple tv+.
