Apple TV+'s #5 Show From 'Slow Horses' Author Is the Most Disappointing Detective Thriller of 2025

Hoping to replicate the resounding success of its breakout hit, Slow Horses, Apple TV+ turned to another book series by Mick Herron.

The result is Down Cemetery Road, starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. However, the project failed to realize the potential of its premise or the talent of its stellar cast.

What Is 'Down Cemetery Road' About?

The story unfolds in Oxford, where a house explosion and subsequent fire leave a young girl named Dinah orphaned.

Sarah, a neighbor and art restorer, notices strange things: doctors won't let her see the child, and the girl's image has been erased from all photographs of the scene.

She turns to a private detective agency where the cynical Zoë Boehm works. Their investigation quickly leads to the death of Zoë's partner, plunging the two women into a whirlwind of dangerous events.

'Down Cemetery' Road Is Based on the Book from the Author of 'Slow Horses'

Following the phenomenal success of the underdog spy saga Slow Horses, it's no surprise that streaming turned to another of Mick Herron's works.

This time, the series is based on novels featuring private investigator Zoë Boehm. However, while Slow Horses masterfully blended action, dark humor, and drama, the new project demonstrates a far less confident hand.

The desire to create a second hit led to an attempt to mechanically replicate the formula without its soul or ingenuity.

'Down Cemetery' Road Has a Promising Premise, but Loses All Its Charm and Intrigue Along the Way

The first few episodes are tense – a child disappears, there is a mysterious explosion, and there are hints of a massive conspiracy. However, the intrigue fades too quickly. The writers reveal their cards too early, shifting the focus from a detective puzzle to endless running and repetitive action.

The story expands to unmanageable proportions involving evil officials and ruthless killers, yet it simultaneously becomes predictable and boring.

Eight episodes are stretched out when five would have sufficed, and the narrative pace slows so much midseason that viewers risk losing any remaining interest.

The Show Fails to Develop Its Main Characters and Wastes the Talents of Emma Thompson & Ruth Wilson

Ruth Wilson plays an unhappily married woman who finds meaning in her investigation. However, her psychological profile is limited to a few hints of past depression. Emma Thompson portrays a tough-guy detective with a sharp wit, but her character is one-dimensional.

Their partnership, which could have been the heart of the project, is underutilized to a disastrous extent. Instead of depth or chemistry between the characters, the creators offer a jumble of secondary plotlines and flat villains.

Consequently, Down Cemetery Road falls short of being either a smart detective story or a compelling action saga, leaving behind only a sense of frustration at its wasted potential.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Down Cemetery Road'?

• Down Cemetery Road has 79% from critics and 60% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.1/10.