Down Cemetery Road Review: Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson Dig Into a Twisty Thriller That Almost Buries Itself

Apple TV+ has gone digging for another British spy thriller and unearthed Down Cemetery Road, a moody, stylish, and occasionally chaotic mystery starring two of the UK’s finest exports, Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. Adapted from Mick Herron’s novel, the same mind behind Slow Horses, this new series comes loaded with expectations, sardonic wit, and a fair bit of emotional baggage. The result? A smart, sharp, but sometimes uneven ride through suburban secrets and espionage intrigue that might just leave viewers equal parts thrilled and baffled.

From the very first frame, Down Cemetery Road hooks you. The show opens in a quiet Oxford suburb, where Ruth Wilson’s character Sarah Tucker will become involved with an explosion that will lead her down a path that shatters her tidy existence. Emma Thompson enters the story like a wrecking ball of charisma as Zoë Boehm, a private investigator with more attitude than patience, and together they stumble into a labyrinth of lies, missing people, and government-level cover-ups. It’s the kind of setup British television does best: quiet menace, quirky humor, and dialogue so sharp you could slice your toast with it.

A Dream Duo with Killer Chemistry

Let’s start with the obvious: Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson absolutely devour their roles. Wilson brings her trademark blend of vulnerability and steel, while Thompson chews through the script like she’s been waiting her entire career to play a caffeine-fueled, world-weary detective who has seen one too many lies. Watching them together is pure joy. Their chemistry is electric, spiky, funny, and deeply human. Even when the plot occasionally fumbles, these two make every moment sing.

Thompson delivers a deliciously cranky performance, throwing out quips and one-liners with surgical precision. Wilson grounds the show with emotional heft, turning Sarah Tucker from a curious neighbor into an unlikely truth-seeker who refuses to be dismissed. The two women are the show’s beating heart, and whenever they share the screen, Down Cemetery Road feels unstoppable.

Plot Twists or Plot Potholes?

Here’s where the show occasionally trips over its own ambition. The first couple of episodes set up a sleek, suspenseful mystery with real bite. But as the series digs deeper, it starts juggling too many ideas, espionage, corporate malfeasance, missing persons, and conspiracies that would make even the Slow Horses gang raise an eyebrow. The result is entertaining, yes, but also occasionally exhausting.

There are moments when Down Cemetery Road feels like it’s trying to outsmart itself, layering twist upon twist until the tension threatens to snap. The good news? It never fully collapses. Even when the narrative takes a detour through absurd territory, the energy stays high, and the performances keep you invested. It’s a messy puzzle box of a show, but one that’s almost too fun to stop watching.

Courtesy of Apple TV+

A Feast for the Eyes and Ears

If there’s one thing Apple TV+ knows how to do, it’s production design. Down Cemetery Road looks phenomenal. The cinematography oozes atmosphere, foggy English streets, muted palettes, and bursts of cinematic flair that make even a parked car look suspicious. The score matches the mood perfectly, oscillating between eerie tension and jazzy unease. Every frame feels intentional, and that polish gives the show an edge that elevates it above your standard suburban mystery.

Verdict: Uneven but Unmissable

Down Cemetery Road isn’t perfect, but it’s the kind of imperfect that’s still wildly entertaining. It’s clever, stylish, and filled with character, even when it threatens to bury itself under too many secrets. Thompson and Wilson turn what could have been another brooding British mystery into a whip-smart, slightly unhinged thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.

The show’s ambition occasionally outpaces its execution, but that’s part of its charm. It swings big, stumbles, and then gets right back up with a smirk and another cup of tea. Down Cemetery Road is a must-watch for anyone who loves twisty mysteries, British attitude, and female leads who can command a room with a raised eyebrow.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – Come for the cast, stay for the mess.