Smoke Review: Taron Egerton and Dennis Lehane Deliver Gripping True Crime Series

Is ‘Smoke’ Worth The Hype?

When Dennis Lehane and Taron Egerton last teamed up for Black Bird, they gave true crime fans something gritty and raw. So when word got out they were back together for Smoke, people leaned in fast. Another crime tale. Another dive into dark minds. And of course, another chance for Egerton to show he’s more than a pretty face from Rocketman.

Smoke drops you in a fictional corner of the Pacific Northwest called Umberland. It looks cozy on the outside. Behind the mist and forests, though, people’s houses keep going up in flames. And not by accident.

Egerton plays Dave Gudsen, an arson investigator with a back pocket full of secrets. Jurnee Smollett steps in as detective Michelle Calderon. She’s sharp, but she’s also got some baggage she can’t shake. Together they hunt down two arsonists lighting up Umberland, one sloppy and sad, the other smart enough to stay hidden.

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What Makes This True Crime Different?

The show feels pretty standard at first. Smoldering crime scenes. Small talk that hides big fears. Dave’s got a past as a firefighter and dreams of being a novelist. Michelle’s got her own wounds. But the twist lands quick.

Without spoiling too much, let’s just say Dave might know more about these fires than he should. That’s where Smoke gets fun. The big reveal happens early enough that the suspense shifts. It’s not just “who did it.” It’s “when will Michelle figure it out?”

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Seeing Egerton flip the switch is half the thrill. He’s charming one minute, creepy the next. He plays Dave as someone who almost believes his own lies. His mask slips just enough to keep you watching his every move.

Freddy, the other firebug, is a different story. Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine gives Freddy a sad warmth that makes your skin crawl in the best way. He’s awkward. Lonely. You want to root for him but also want him far away from your matches.

Who Stands Out In The Cast?

Greg Kinnear pops in as Dave’s boss Harvey. He does classic dad energy so well you almost forget he’s in a crime show. John Leguizamo arrives later but steals every second with a sleazy grin and lines that make you laugh when you shouldn’t.

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Anna Chlumsky joins in too, adding more spark to Michelle’s side of the story. By then, you’re deep enough in that every new character feels like another clue, another crack in Dave’s secret life.

Even the music has its moment. Thom Yorke doing the theme song sets the mood right away. It’s moody, weird, and sticks in your head long after the credits roll.

Does ‘Smoke’ Stick The Landing?

Like any show that burns fast, Smoke wobbles a bit near the end. Some of Freddy’s scenes drift into that weird TV trope of the wise outcast. Michelle makes choices that might make you shout at the screen. But that’s true crime for you. Messy. Ugly. Always leaving you wanting just one more clue.

If Black Bird was tight and cold like a prison cell, Smoke is more open. More sprawling. There’s room to breathe but also room for the fires to spread.

Lehane’s writing still keeps you hooked. He pokes fun at Dave’s bad writing while feeding you lines that sting just right. And Egerton eats every second. He shows you a man who’s scared of being ordinary, who lights fires just to feel alive. It’s dark. It’s sad. But it’s never boring.

Apple’s betting big on these prestige crime stories. They’ve got the names. They’ve got the mood. And for now, they’ve got a solid show in Smoke that true crime junkies will chew on till the very end.