Down Cemetery road spoiler-free review: Slow Horses fans won’t want to miss this

Gradual Horses has been one among Apple’s flagship exhibits because it first debuted in 2022, with Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb and the broader ensemble capturing the hearts of followers throughout the globe. It appeared inevitable that Mick Herron’s earlier novels, based mostly on Oxford-based Non-public Investigator Zoë Boehm, would ultimately get the same therapy.

The ensuing present, Down Cemetery Highway, is out now on Apple TV (previously generally known as Apple TV+), starring Emma Thompson as Boehm and Ruth Wilson as her co-lead, Sarah Tucker, a disgruntled housewife who finds herself on the coronary heart of a conspiracy.

The query for Gradual Horses followers shall be if this present, written by Morwenna Banks, lives as much as the hype of the earlier Herron adaptation. Learn on for my spoiler-free ideas on the season.

Down Cemetery Highway is totally different to Gradual Horses in a number of methods

There are a number of essential variations between Down Cemetery Highway and Gradual Horses. Whereas Aldersgate and London are on the coronary heart of the latter, this collection is about in Oxford (the place Herron himself lives).

We open with Sarah and her husband Mark having company for dinner, Mark’s work affiliate Gerard and Sarah’s quirky associates. Their meal is interrupted by an explosion at a neighbouring property. Whereas dismissed shortly as a fuel leak, all just isn’t what it appears, and Dinah, one among Sarah’s neighbours who survived the incident, instantly disappears.

The narrative takes us from Oxford (Bristol filling in for a lot of filming areas) to Scotland by way of Studying and quite a few different areas. The street trip-like nature of the present immediately makes it really feel like a departure from Gradual Horses and offers it a singular flavour.

Whereas Gradual Horses is about MI5 and its rejects, Down Cemetery Highway is extra centered on on a regular basis people, extra of a standard crime present with Zoë and her husband Joe working an Oxford investigative agency that’s recruited to research Dinah’s disappearance. Thompson’s Zoë is an actual departure from her different roles, leather-clad with spiky hair and a punkish, carefree perspective. Sarah, however, is extra reserved and out of her depth doing investigative work. The deal with feminine characters additionally makes the present really feel recent.

Apple TV+

There is no such thing as a scarcity of motion

There’s definitely no scarcity of thrills, from the explosive opening to numerous chase sequences, shootouts and shut shaves. This retains the viewers on the sting of their seats. There are all kinds of antagonists on Zoë and Sarah’s path, from hitmen employed by shady organisations and folks larger up the chain.

The motion is, as you’ll anticipate from the identical group as Gradual Horses, impressively staged. Relaxation assured, there’s nonetheless some razor-sharp dialogue and wry humour. Zoë just isn’t one to mince her phrases, talking her thoughts in an often-hilarious trend, discovering a light-hearted take even within the bleakest of moments. Regardless of this, she is a far cry from Jackson Lamb, stuffed with power and a want to do the best factor even when it means placing herself and people she cares about in hurt’s method.

That mentioned, with a better variety of episodes than Gradual Horses, some elements of the plot really feel dragged out in comparison with the supply materials.

One other profitable ensemble forged

Becoming a member of Thompson and Wilson is one other starry supporting forged with Adeel Akhtar, Darren Boyd, and Lydia Leonard among the many wider ensemble. Boyd’s C engages in maintaining occasions hid and stopping them from escalating.

It is vitally a lot the Thompson and Wilson present, nevertheless. The pair are a delight every time they work together – their contrasting personas at odds on the best way to proceed, an ideal odd couple. Regardless that she is the lead within the e-book collection, within the authentic novel Zoë’s position is surprisingly slight. That is addressed within the collection, giving her extra to do because the collection unfurls, Thompson revelling within the position. 

Sarah is a decided determine and highlights Wilson’s vary, definitely a departure from menacing characters like Alice Morgan or Mrs Coulter, whom she has portrayed beforehand. Wilson brilliantly captures how uncomfortable she is, managing to hold on by some means and sheer dedication.

Whereas Herron’s authentic novel was revealed within the noughties, the difference feels distinctly up to date. Morwenna Banks efficiently ports it into the 2020s with topical plot factors and dialogue, whereas retaining the essence of Herron’s supply materials. Followers of the e-book will discover loads they recognise.

Apple TV+

Must you watch Down Cemetery Highway?

Down Cemetery Highway is one other extremely entertaining, action-packed Mick Herron adaptation. The modifications from the supply materials really feel pure with out dropping what made the novel work within the first place.

One disadvantage for me is that the collection is a tad lengthy. Whereas Gradual Horses works as six episodes, the eight episodes right here can at occasions really feel stretched, the bulk working between 50 minutes to an hour. The novel itself is sort of slight, so there’s some padding in locations. A barely extra concise collection might have been one thing really particular.

Ought to the collection show successful, there’s each likelihood it might find yourself one other multi-season present, with 4 books revealed by Herron. So, that is unlikely to be the final we see of Zoë Boehm on the small display.

Down Cemetery Highway drops on Apple TV globally on 29 October 2025 – new episodes will drop weekly. New customers can get a seven-day free trial.

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