The first official trailer for Smoke starring Taron Egerton is out

Apple TV+ has just dropped the first trailer for Smoke, and it’s as intense and fiery as its title. With a mix of suspense, mystery, and powerful performances, the series promises to be a must-watch thriller of the year. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this upcoming show.

Smoke is a drama series that follows a troubled police detective and a mysterious arson investigator as they chase down two serial arsonists. The story plays out like a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with fire being both the weapon and the clue.

The show takes inspiration from the horrifying crimes of John Leonard Orr, a real-life serial arsonist from the 1980s. Orr, who was ironically an arson investigator, set over 2,000 fires and was convicted of four murders. The show draws from his chilling story but adds its own fictional twist.

Breaking down the trailer of Smoke

The trailer kicks off with haunting music and smoky visuals. From abandoned buildings to chaotic fire scenes, it quickly sets a tense and eerie atmosphere.

Clues come fast and thick, but not enough to give away the whole plot. A masked figure watching from the shadows, a mysterious fire pattern, and a growing list of victims- this is edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

Let’s be real, the trailer seems to suggest that Gudsen might be involved in the arson. Is it misdirection? Possibly. But that question will keep viewers coming back each week.

While the show pulls from Orr’s crimes, it takes creative liberties. The names, characters, and specific plots are fictional. But the heart of the horror, the idea that the one hunting the criminal is the criminal, remains the same.

The series comes from Dennis Lehane, known for gripping crime stories like Mystic River and Shutter Island. With Lehane writing and producing, expect layered characters and dark twists.

Egerton himself is an executive producer, along with industry giants like Richard Plepler, Kari Skogland, Joe Chappelle, and others. Directors include Skogland, Chappelle, and Jim McKay, promising a visually gripping experience.

Taron Egerton plays Dave Gudsen, the show’s mysterious arson investigator. In the trailer, we see hints that Gudsen might know more than he’s letting on. Is he the hero or hiding something sinister? That’s the million-dollar question.

While the creators haven’t confirmed it, Gudsen is clearly inspired by John Leonard Orr. But don’t expect a straight retelling. The trailer suggests Apple might be playing a clever game of bait and switch. Is Gudsen helping solve the crimes or causing them?

Smollett takes on the role of Michell Calderon, a no-nonsense police detective with a sharp instinct. She teams up with Gudsen, but their partnership seems rocky, filled with tension, secrets, and mutual suspicion.

From the trailer alone, it’s clear that Calderon is no sidekick. She’s at the center of the action, asking the hard questions and driving the investigation forward. Smollett brings both strength and vulnerability to the role.

Beyond Egerton and Smollett, Smoke features a powerhouse supporting cast that’s sure to elevate the show even further.

Rafe Spall, known for his intense performances, joins the cast along with Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Greg Kinnear, and John Leguizamo. Each brings their unique energy, adding layers to the mystery.

The trailer for Smoke doesn’t just tease; it ignites. With Taron Egerton playing a morally grey lead, Jurnee Smollett bringing grit, and a story rooted in one of the most disturbing true crimes of all time, Smoke looks set to be one of the year's biggest thrillers. Whether Gudsen is hero or villain, one thing’s for sure: you’ll be hooked from episode one.