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Mixed Reviews Greet Apple TV+ Arson Thriller Smoke

Critical response mixes praise for the ensemble’s performances with criticism of the series’ limited focus on arson investigation.

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Overview

  • Smoke is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on June 27 with two episodes, followed by weekly releases through its nine-episode run.
  • Created by crime novelist Dennis Lehane, the series reunites him with Taron Egerton after their acclaimed collaboration on Black Bird.
  • Inspired by the Firebug podcast, the story follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton) and Detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett) as they hunt serial arsonists in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Reviewers highlight strong performances from the cast, singling out leads Egerton and Smollett alongside standouts such as John Leguizamo and Rafe Spall.
  • Several critics fault the show for prioritizing character psychology and subplot development over its unique arson-investigation premise.