Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett star in Dennis Lehane’s gripping crime series about arson investigators chasing deadly firestarters.
Apple TV+’s Smoke has quickly become one of the most talked-about crime dramas of 2025. Created by Dennis Lehane, the series follows an arson investigator and a detective as they hunt two serial arsonists in the Pacific Northwest. Inspired by real events from the Firebug podcast, the show blends suspense, psychological depth, and intense performances.
Smoke Season 1 Episode Schedule
The series premiered on June 27, 2025, with two episodes dropping at once. New episodes release weekly on Fridays. Here’s the full list of episodes and their release dates:
- Episode 1: “Pilot” – June 27, 2025
- Episode 2: “Your Happy Makes Me Sad” – June 27, 2025
- Episode 3: “Weird Milk” – July 4, 2025
- Episode 4: “Strawberry” – July 11, 2025
- Episode 5: “Size Matters” – July 18, 2025
- Episode 6: “Manhood” – July 25, 2025
- Episode 7: “Whitewashed Tombs” – August 1, 2025
- Episode 8: “Mercy” – August 8, 2025
- Episode 9: “Mirror, Mirror” – August 15, 2025 (Season Finale)
The finale, “Mirror, Mirror,” will wrap up the first season’s tense cat-and-mouse game between investigators and arsonists.
Plot and Cast
Smoke centers on Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton), a former firefighter turned arson investigator, and Detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett), who team up to track down two dangerous firestarters. The show takes a shocking turn when it’s revealed that one of the arsonists is much closer than they think.
The cast also includes:
- Rafe Spall as Captain Steven Burke
- Greg Kinnear as Fire Chief Harvey Englehart
- John Leguizamo as Ezra Esposito, a disgraced former detective
- Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Freddy Fasano, a troubled suspect
Critical and Fan Reception
Critics have praised Taron Egerton’s performance, calling it “layered and unnerving.” The show holds a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many highlighting its slow-burn tension and strong acting.
Some fans have mixed feelings about the pacing, with one viewer saying:
“The first two episodes were slow, but by Episode 3, I was hooked. The twists keep coming, and Taron Egerton is terrifyingly good.”
Others criticized early reveals, saying:
“They showed both arsonists too soon. It took away the mystery, but the acting still makes it worth watching.”
Behind the Scenes
The series is based on the real-life case of John Leonard Orr, a firefighter who became a notorious arsonist. Lehane, who also worked with Egerton on Black Bird, brings his signature dark storytelling to the project.
Filming took place in Vancouver, doubling for the fictional town of Umberland. The haunting theme song, “Dialing In” by Thom Yorke, adds to the show’s eerie atmosphere.
Where to Watch
All episodes of Smoke are available exclusively on Apple TV+. New episodes air every Friday until the finale on August 15, 2025.
Credits: Sources include Wikipedia, IMDb, Variety, FandomWire, and The Guardian.
