Crime drama enthusiasts have reason to celebrate this October, as Apple TV+ doubles down on its commitment to adapting the works of acclaimed author Mick Herron. Hot on the heels of the gripping fifth season of Slow Horses, the streaming platform is set to launch Down Cemetery Road, a new series based on Herron’s debut novel. With Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson leading the cast, the show is already drawing comparisons to its espionage sibling—and, if early buzz is any indication, it may even rival it for the title of best series on television.
The penultimate episode of Slow Horses season five, which aired on October 26, 2025, has been widely praised for returning to the show’s signature blend of tension, dark humor, and razor-sharp storytelling. According to The Killing Times TV, after a mid-season detour into "mayoral mayhem and pink-paint chaos," the series has found its stride again, zeroing in on the manhunt for Farouk and his gang. The episode is described as "tighter, darker, and far more gripping" than its predecessor, with a narrative laser-focused on the chilling phrase: "Blind your enemy." This cryptic warning hints at the gang’s next destabilizing move, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
One of the central plotlines involves Flyte, now back in control and sharper than ever, interrogating Tara—a character whose tearful claims of coercion initially convince her would-be handler, Claude. Believing Tara can lead them to the heart of the criminal operation, Claude allows her to walk free under surveillance, setting up an elaborate sting at Piccadilly Circus. But, as fans of Slow Horses know all too well, nothing is ever straightforward. In a brutal twist, Tara is revealed not as a mere pawn but as a key member of Farouk’s gang, having outmaneuvered Claude and the rest of the team. The episode’s conclusion has set the stage for a spectacular finale, with the stakes higher than ever.
While the action and intrigue of Slow Horses have captivated audiences, its emotional undercurrents remain just as important. River, a character who has often provided the show’s moral and emotional grounding, is depicted as drifting in "an oddly unlikeable limbo." Without the stabilizing presence of David and his personal struggles, River’s arrogance is left unchecked—a fact highlighted by a brief but telling phone call with his grandfather. This moment, as noted by The Killing Times TV, serves as a poignant reminder of the humanity that makes Slow Horses more than just another spy thriller.
As viewers eagerly await the season finale, Apple TV+ is ready to fill the impending void with Down Cemetery Road, premiering Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The series adapts Herron’s first novel, shifting the focus from the shadowy world of intelligence to the gritty streets of Oxford. Emma Thompson stars as the spiky-haired private investigator Zoë Boehm, a role that seems tailor-made for her formidable talents. Alongside Thompson, Ruth Wilson plays Sarah Tucker, a woman desperate to find a missing child and determined to enlist Zoë’s help.
Early reactions from critics, including The West Australian, suggest that Down Cemetery Road is every bit as compelling—and darkly funny—as its predecessor. Thompson herself, in an article for Radio Times, cited the humor of Herron’s writing as a major reason for joining the project. The show promises not only suspense and thrills but also the kind of wit that has become a hallmark of Herron’s work. For fans accustomed to the world-weary sarcasm of Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses, Thompson’s Zoë Boehm offers a fresh, yet familiar, anti-heroine to root for.
The premise is deceptively simple: Sarah Tucker becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a child she believes to be missing and turns to private investigator Zoë Boehm for assistance. As the pair dig deeper, they uncover a conspiracy that blurs the lines between the living and the dead—where "people long believed dead are still among the living, while the living are fast joining the dead," as described by Good Housekeeping. The series promises a wild ride, blending Herron’s signature humor with a twisting, unpredictable narrative.
The arrival of Down Cemetery Road is part of a broader wave of high-profile crime dramas set to hit British screens in the coming weeks and months. Art Detectives, a British series that combines murder mysteries with the world of antiques, is set to premiere on U and U&Drama on October 30, 2025. Starring Stephen Moyer and Nina Singh, the show follows the fictional Heritage Crime Unit as they tackle brutal murders connected to the art world—a unique twist on the traditional police procedural.
Meanwhile, fans of cat-and-mouse thrillers can look forward to The Hunting Party, debuting on U&Alibi on October 22, 2025. The series centers on a top-secret prison in Wyoming known as "The Pit," which houses some of the most dangerous serial killers in the United States. When an explosion sets the inmates free, a crack team of investigators must hunt them down, all while contending with the fact that the prison’s very existence is meant to be a secret.
The crime drama renaissance doesn’t stop there. ITV is gearing up for the return of Red Eye (series two) and the debut of Believe Me, a true crime drama recounting the harrowing story of John Worboys, one of Britain’s most notorious sex offenders. Both series are expected to premiere in 2026, alongside returning favorites like Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators and Grantchester.
But for now, all eyes are on Apple TV+ and its double bill of Mick Herron adaptations. The critical and popular success of Slow Horses has cemented Herron’s reputation as a master of the genre, and the arrival of Down Cemetery Road is poised to further expand his television legacy. With Thompson and Wilson at the helm, and a plot that promises both laughs and chills, the new series is already being hailed as a must-watch event.
For crime drama fans, it’s a golden age—one where the line between literature and television continues to blur, and where the next great mystery is always just around the corner.
