The tense chase to find a missing girl took a shocking turn on Down Cemetery Road. In the penultimate episode of the first season, a main character was killed in a dramatic change from the source material, and the fate of another was left completely unclear. As viewers raced toward the finale, one question became urgent: Did Emma Thompson’s character, private investigator Zoe Boehm, survive an explosion on a mined beach?
Episode 7, titled “Lights Go Out,” aired on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. It brought all the major players to a remote, government-owned island off the coast of Scotland for a final confrontation. The episode delivered major action and a heartbreaking cliffhanger that sets the stage for the season finale on December 10.
A Fatal Showdown and a Hero’s Death
The episode’s most definitive and tragic moment was the death of Downey, played by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett. After a tense cat-and-mouse chase across the island, the soldier was cornered and killed by the relentless operative Amos (Fehinti Balogun). This marked a significant departure from Mick Herron’s original novel, where Downey is left dying from his neurological illness but not explicitly killed.
The show’s creators decided a more visual, dramatic death was needed for television. Author and executive producer Mick Herron explained the choice, stating, “A TV show probably demands more dramatic moments than a novel might”. He noted that with a villain like Amos, it made sense from a storytelling perspective to show the death on screen. For Downey, his primary goal was always ensuring the safety of Dinah, the young girl he helped rescue. Actor Nathan Stewart-Jarrett saw his character’s death as a heroic sacrifice, telling sources, “I felt like Dinah being safe is, Downey is now allowed to die”.
Zoe’s Uncertain Fate on the Beach
With Downey dead, the focus shifted to the escape of Sarah (Ruth Wilson), Zoe, and Dinah. Their plan required Zoe to act as a distraction. She led Amos away, allowing Sarah and Dinah to scramble down a cliff to an inflatable boat. Zoe then made a desperate run across the beach to meet them.
This beach, however, was marked with warnings about active landmines. Zoe had initially believed the signs were a government scare tactic, but she was tragically wrong. As Amos fired shots at her, the bullets struck the ground, detonating several mines. A final, massive explosion threw Zoe’s body into the air, obscured by sand and debris. From the boat, Sarah saw the blast but could not see if Zoe survived. With Amos now shooting at their dinghy, Sarah was forced to flee with Dinah, leaving Zoe’s fate unknown.
The episode intentionally leaves viewers in suspense. Ruth Wilson, discussing her character’s perspective, said Sarah “hasn’t seen the dead body” but assumes the worst after witnessing the violent explosion. She has to prioritize getting Dinah to safety and cannot look back.
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Why Zoe’s Survival Is Still Possible
Despite the grim scene, several factors point to Zoe possibly surviving the blast. First, Down Cemetery Road is based on the first novel in Mick Herron’s “Zoe Boehm” series. The character is the central figure in multiple books, which suggests a long-term story. Furthermore, Herron himself commented on Zoe’s character traits in a way that hints at her resilience. He described her as a “very resourceful, very capable woman” who always chooses to do the right thing, even if she appears grumpy about it.
The nature of the cliffhanger is classic suspense storytelling. By not showing a body, the show maintains hope and keeps audiences guessing until the final episode. The finale will need to resolve whether Zoe miraculously survived the landmines or if the show is making a bold move by killing its co-lead character.
A Bond Forged in Crisis
Earlier in the episode, before the chaotic escape, a quiet moment between Sarah and Zoe deepened their partnership. On the boat ride to the island, Zoe opened up about her late husband, Joe, revealing a more vulnerable side. This conversation, sparked by a shared recitation of a Philip Larkin poem (which gives the series its title), helped the two very different women understand each other’s motivations.
Ruth Wilson highlighted the importance of that scene, noting it built the trust necessary for the life-or-death decisions they would have to make just hours later. This newfound bond makes Sarah’s presumed loss of Zoe at the episode’s end even more impactful.
The season finale of Down Cemetery Road streams on Apple TV+ on December 10, 2025. It will reveal the truth about Zoe’s fate and conclude the hunt for Dinah and the conspiracy surrounding the missing soldiers.
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