Overview

• Smoke premiered with two episodes on June 27 and will release its remaining seven installments weekly on Apple TV+ through August 15.
• Developed by Dennis Lehane and inspired by the true-crime podcast Firebug, the nine-episode drama delves into themes of trauma, identity and the complexities of human psychology.
• Taron Egerton leads as arson investigator Dave Gudsen and Jurnee Smollett co-stars as Detective Michelle Calderone, both earning praise for their nuanced, morally ambiguous portrayals.
• Reviewers have pointed to uneven plotting and extended storytelling as drawbacks, citing pacing issues and an overabundance of secondary storylines.
• Early Rotten Tomatoes data shows a 64% approval rating, underscoring a divided critical response between the show’s acting strengths and its narrative shortcomings.