The final episode of Down Cemetery Road arrived on Apple TV+ on December 10, 2025, wrapping up its eight-episode first season. While the story of art teacher Sarah Trafford and private investigator Zoë Boehm reached a clear stopping point, it left the door open for more. As of now, Apple TV+ has not made an official announcement about renewing or canceling the show for a second season. The decision is still pending, but key people involved with the series have shared their thoughts and hopes for its future.
What Is the Official Renewal Status for Season 2?
As of December 11, 2025, there is no official word on a second season. Apple TV+ has not announced a renewal for Down Cemetery Road. This is not unusual, especially since the Season 1 finale just became available. Streaming services typically review viewership data and performance metrics before deciding on a show’s future.
However, there is notable optimism from the cast and creator. Star Ruth Wilson, who plays Sarah, said in an August interview that there is a strong belief a second season will happen. She told TV Insider, “I think people are very excited about it generally in the Apple creative team… So I think there is a belief that it will go again”. She added that the team would “probably know by the end of the year” about moving forward.
Series creator Mick Herron, whose novel the show is based on, is also hopeful. He recently stated, “We’ll see how this one goes with viewers. I think viewers are going to enjoy it very much, so who knows what will happen”. The show has received positive reviews, holding a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of early December.
What Could Season 2 Be About? A Look at the Books
The first season adapted Herron’s novel Down Cemetery Road, the first in his Zoë Boehm Thrillers series. Three more books are available as source material: The Last Voice You Hear, Why We Die, and Smoke and Whispers.
If the show continues in book order, Season 2 would likely adapt The Last Voice You Hear. The story finds Zoë Boehm dealing with the trauma of her violent past. She is pulled into a new case involving a suspicious death and a missing person, which may connect to a potential serial killer.
A significant question for a new season is whether Ruth Wilson’s character, Sarah, will return. In the original books, Sarah does not appear in the second or third novels; she only comes back in the fourth book, Smoke and Whispers. However, the dynamic between Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson was a highlight of Season 1. Mick Herron himself has suggested that the TV series would likely need to change the books to keep both characters. He said:
“I think if any sequel were made, it would have to include both characters in the same kind of dynamic that they have played… It’s the way they play off each other”.
Ruth Wilson has also commented on this, suggesting the production team is considering how to blend the books. She mentioned they might “condense those three books into two more seasons” and could “bring Sarah in, create another storyline for her” even when the book plot does not include her.
Which Cast Members Could Return for a New Season?
A second season would almost certainly see the return of its two leads. Emma Thompson is expected to return as private investigator Zoë Boehm, the central character of the book series. Ruth Wilson has confirmed she would reprise her role as Sarah Trafford if a new season is ordered.
The fate of other characters depends on the Season 1 finale. Several main characters, including Amos (Fehinti Balogun) and Downey (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), were killed and would not return. However, Hamza (Adeel Akhtar) survived, though injured, and his future is unclear. The government official known as C (Darren Boyd) also survived, resigning and moving to the private sector—a plot point that could set up a new threat for Season 2.
When Could Down Cemetery Road Season 2 Be Released?
No production schedule exists for a season that hasn’t been officially greenlit. However, looking at the timeline for Season 1 provides a possible estimate. The series was first announced in April 2024 and premiered in October 2025—a roughly 18-month gap. If Apple TV+ renews the show soon, a similar production cycle could mean a potential Season 2 might not arrive until late 2027.
For now, all eight episodes of Down Cemetery Road Season 1 are available to stream globally on Apple TV+. A decision on the show’s future is expected in the coming weeks.
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