Patrick Dempsey returns to broadcast television as a hitman facing a dangerous new enemy: early onset Alzheimer’s. The new Fox drama “Memory of a Killer” is set to premiere in January 2026, bringing a high-stakes story of a man racing against his own deteriorating mind to protect his family. The series is inspired by the award-winning 2003 Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer.
The High-Stakes Plot of Memory of a Killer
“Memory of a Killer” follows Angelo Ledda, played by Patrick Dempsey, who has built a dangerous double life. By day, he is a sleepy upstate New York photocopier salesman and father. By night, he is a fearsome NYC hitman. For years, Angelo has perfectly managed these two separate worlds, but his carefully built life begins to collapse when he is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.
The disease is a foe he cannot outrun, and he knows the devastating outcome all too well as his older brother is already lost to the same condition. The situation becomes even more critical when Angelo discovers that his wife’s recent death may not have been an accident. When someone targets his pregnant daughter, it becomes clear that the wall between his two lives has been breached. Angelo must now search his long list of past hits for clues to identify who is threatening his family, all while continuing his work as an assassin without revealing his diagnosis.
Michael Thorn, President of FOX Entertainment, described the series as “a propulsive series with a noisy, unrelenting character hook that immediately grabbed our attention.” He added, “In the spirit of 24 and House, we’re introducing a daring new signature FOX lead, a complicated antihero facing unimaginable danger.”
Memory of a Killer is a redemptive story about a man who is losing his memory but gaining a conscience. Because Angelo knows he must stop history from repeating itself and save his family — before he forgets the past.
The Main Cast and Characters
The series features a strong ensemble cast led by Patrick Dempsey, bringing Angelo’s complicated world to life.
- Patrick Dempsey plays Angelo Ledda, the skilled hitman grappling with Alzheimer’s while fighting to protect his family.
- Michael Imperioli plays Dutch, an accomplished Italian chef who runs a restaurant in the Bronx that serves as a front for his criminal empire. Dutch is Angelo’s oldest friend and employer, providing him with his targets, but his trustworthiness is questionable.
- Richard Harmon is Joe, a rising hitman working for Angelo and Dutch. Stuck with reconnaissance work, Joe is in a position to witness Angelo’s cognitive decline, a discovery that could change everything.
- Odeya Rush plays Maria, Angelo’s pregnant daughter. She is devoted to caring for her father as his mind begins to falter, unknowingly putting herself in danger by getting closer to him.
- Daniel David Stewart portrays Jeff, Maria’s husband and Angelo’s son-in-law. He is an inventor with confidence but no investors, and he shows little respect for his father-in-law.
- Peter Gadiot stars as Dave, a local police detective in the quiet town of Hudson Springs. He has no idea a world-class hitman lives nearby and considers Angelo a great friend, while also secretly carrying feelings for Angelo’s married daughter, Maria.
- Gina Torres will heavily recur as Linda Grant, a tenacious and brilliant FBI agent. Her investigation into one of Angelo’s kills puts her on a collision course with him, threatening to expose all of his secrets.
Behind the Scenes and Production Details
“Memory of a Killer” is produced by Warner Bros. Television and FOX Entertainment. The series was developed for television by Ed Whitmore and Tracey Malone, who also serve as executive producers. They are joined by executive producers Cathy Schulman of Welle Entertainment, Arthur Sarkissian, Martin Campbell, and Peter Bouckaert of Eyeworks.
The series is based on the 2003 Belgian thriller De Zaak Alzheimer (La Memoire Du Tueur), which won several awards in its home country. The adaptation maintains the core premise of a hitman facing dementia but recontextualizes the story for a new setting and audience.
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When and Where to Watch Memory of a Killer
Fox has scheduled “Memory of a Killer” for a January 2026 premiere. While an exact date has not yet been announced, the network has confirmed the show will be part of its midseason lineup. The first promo for the series was released in October 2025, giving audiences a first look at Dempsey’s character juggling his double life and the first signs of his illness. The show will air on the Fox broadcast network.
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