New Taron Egerton Show on Apple TV+ is a Must-Watch for Mare Of Easttown Fans

Created by Mystic River and Shutter Island author Dennis Lehane, Smoke stars Taron Egerton as Dave Gudsen, a former firefighter turned arson investigator in the fictional town of Umberland. After surviving a house fire that haunts his dreams, he's now stuck chasing not one, but two serial arsonists — one who torches potato chip displays, and another who leaves jugs of accelerant under porches.

Egerton is joined by Jurnee Smollett as detective Michelle Calderone, who's been assigned to work with him — much to his annoyance. Her backstory? Let's just say it involves an affair with her boss (Rafe Spall) and a subsequent career demotion. The cast also includes Greg Kinnear, nearly unrecognizable as Gudsen's frustrated boss, and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Freddy Fasano, a fast-food worker who may or may not be one of the firebugs.

The show is based on the true crime podcast Firebug, and it shares more than a little DNA with Mare of Easttown, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul — minus the momentum.

Critics have noted the pacing is slow, but the performances keep it grounded. Egerton brings a wounded intensity to Gudsen, and Smollett balances him out with her sharp, guarded take on Calderone.

The story may take its time, but the tension is there — and with only a limited number of episodes, it promises to pick up speed soon. There's even a bigger ensemble on the way, including John Leguizamo, though he doesn't appear in the first episode.

So far, the biggest obstacle for viewers isn't the acting or the story — it's whether they have the patience to let it all simmer.

As one critic put it, "We're sure Lehane has those answers for us later in the season — but how patient we're going to be while we see scenes of people setting things on fire is the big question."

If you liked Mare of Easttown but wish it had more literal fire, Smoke might be your next binge. Just don't expect to be spoon-fed.