Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson dive into a deadly mystery in ‘Down Cemetery Road’
Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson dive into a deadly mystery in ‘Down Cemetery Road’
Based on Mick Herron’s novel, the series kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 29. on Apple TV+.
Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson teaming up for a conspiracy thriller? I’m in. “Down Cemetery Road” is a new Apple TV+ original series based on Mick Herron’s novel of the same name (the first in his “Zöe Boehm” detective series), and it looks like the kind of twisty, character-driven mystery that is always in style. Thompson plays a private investigator pulled into a case by a neighbor (Wilson) after a house explodes and a girl goes missing in suburban Oxford. Secrets, conspiracies, and maybe even a few fake deaths… what’s not to like? The series premieres on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 12:01 a.m. ET, and you can watch with a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+.
How to watch ‘Down Cemetery Road’
- When: Premieres Friday, Oct. 29 at 12:01 a.m. ET
- TV: Apple TV+
- Stream: Watch with a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about ‘Down Cemetery Road’:
When does ‘Down Cemetery Road’ come on Apple TV+?
“Down Cemetery Road” premieres globally on Apple TV+ Wednesday, Oct. 29. The eight-episode season kicks off with a two-episode premiere, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through Dec. 10.
Conveniently, the series premiere arrives on Apple TV+ at the same time as the season finale of “Slow Horses,” the Emmy-winning spy series also based on Mick Herron novels. So if you’re planning to binge it all at once, you’ll have to wait a bit because Apple’s sticking with its usual weekly rollout for this one.
What is the release schedule for ‘Down Cemetery Road’?
| Date | Time | Episode | Outlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 12:01 am | Episode 101 (Series Premiere) | Apple TV+ |
| 12:01 am | Episode 102 | Apple TV+ | |
| Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 12:01 am | Episode 103 | Apple TV+ |
| Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 12:01 am | Episode 104 | Apple TV+ |
| Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 12:01 am | Episode 105 | Apple TV+ |
| Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 12:01 am | Episode 106 | Apple TV+ |
| Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 12:01 am | Episode 107 | Apple TV+ |
| Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 12:01 am | Episode 108 | Apple TV+ |
Can you watch ‘Down Cemetery Road’ for free?
Yes, but only for a bit. Apple TV+ offers a seven-day free trial for new users, which means you can start “Down Cemetery Road” without paying. After the trial, a subscription costs $13 per month and is totally ad-free.
Why do we recommend Apple TV+ for watching ‘Down Cemetery Road’?
It’s the only place you can stream it. “Down Cemetery Road” is only on Apple TV+, and the service has built a reputation for high-end projects like this. At $13 per month, you’re not just getting this epic mystery, but also access to other awesome Apple+ originals like “Severance,” “Slow Horses,” and “The Morning Show.”
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
What is ‘Down Cemetery Road’ about?
“Down Cemetery Road” kicks off with a house explosion in a quiet Oxford suburb that leaves a young girl missing. Sarah Trafford, played by Ruth Wilson, witnesses it and can’t let it go. She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened and ropes in private investigator Zoë Boehm, played by Emma Thompson, to help. What starts as a search for one missing person slowly turns into something much stranger and more dangerous.
As they dig deeper, Sarah and Zoë uncover a web of secrets involving people thought to be dead, and others who may not stay alive much longer. It’s not just about solving a mystery, it’s about who you trust, what people choose to hide, and how far you’re willing to go for answers. Based on Mick Herron’s novel, this one blends smart character work with classic detective tension, and the chemistry between Wilson and Thompson should give it a sharp, emotional edge.
Check out a trailer for ‘Down Cemetery Road’
Who’s in the cast of ‘Down Cemetery Road’?
The cast is led by two heavy hitters: Emma Thompson plays private investigator Zoë Boehm, and Ruth Wilson stars as Sarah Trafford, the neighbor who pulls her into the mystery. Thompson’s done everything from “Sense and Sensibility” to “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” (which I loved) and Wilson is best known for her intense turns in shows like “Luther” and “The Affair.” They’re joined by a strong supporting lineup that includes Adam Godley, Adeel Akhtar, Aiysha Hart, Tom Riley, Tom Goodman-Hill, Darren Boyd, Sinead Matthews, and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett.
Is ‘Down Cemetery Road’ based on a book?
Yep, “Down Cemetery Road” is based on the novel of the same name by Mick Herron. It’s the first book in his “Zöe Boehm” detective series, which came out well before he gained mainstream attention for “Slow Horses” (also adapted by Apple TV+). This one leans more into classic private investigator territory. You still get the same layered storytelling and morally complex characters Herron is known for, just in a different setting. If the show grabs you, the book’s definitely worth a read too.
What other mystery thriller series can you watch on Apple TV+
If “Down Cemetery Road” is on your radar, the first place to go next is “Slow Horses.” It’s another Mick Herron adaptation and one of Apple TV+’s best shows, full of dry wit, broken spies, and tense storylines that just keep escalating. For something a little darker, check out “Black Bird,” a true crime drama with a killer performance from Paul Walter Hauser that’ll stick with you. And if you want a mystery with a totally different tone, “Severance” takes workplace paranoia to another level. All three shows are sharp, suspenseful, and well worth a binge.
Down Cemetery Road
When a child goes missing in the aftermath of a house explosion, a concerned neighbor teams up with a private investigator to find them. As secrets unravel and a military conspiracy emerges, all hell is unleashed on South Oxford’s sleepy suburbs.

