A detailed look into the harrowing true story behind Smoke on Apple TV+

The latest offering from Apple TV+, the first two episodes of Smoke, premieres on June 27, 2025. Consisting of nine episodes, Smoke follows the events that unfold:

“When an arson investigator begrudgingly teams up with a police detective, their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.”

Starring Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett as investigator Dave Gudsen and Detective Michelle Calderone, Smoke tells the chilling tale of two serial arsonists who wreaked havoc with a series of fires following a specific pattern.

What makes the show even more intriguing is its real-life premise, as it is based on Kary Antholis and Marc Smerling’s podcast Firebug, which explored the arson cases that shook Southern California in the late 1980s. While Smoke takes certain liberties with its source material, it’s safe to say that it's rooted in true events discussed in the podcast.

Smoke is based on real-life incidents of arson

The arsons covered in the Firebug podcast eventually led police to John Orr, a former arson investigator and fire captain. He confessed to setting almost 2,000 fires, revealing how he was both prolific and horrifying.

Smoke, following the true story as told in the podcast, shows how investigator Dave Gudsen is working on both sides of the law. He is revealed to be the arsonist, and under the guise of helping, he manipulates the investigation to avoid getting caught.

Just as Orr had firsthand experience in the fire department—making him highly effective—Gudsen’s background as a fire investigator allows him to balance his dual life as both criminal and enforcer.

Director and creator Dennis Lehane has said that what struck him most about the Firebug podcast was the psychological and emotional complexity of its characters. They didn’t operate on a binary of good versus evil, instead existing in morally gray areas.

This complexity is especially true for Gudsen, who leads two entirely different lives and manages to maintain both. Detective Michelle is also portrayed as a multifaceted character, struggling with personal issues stemming from a failed relationship.

However, despite being based on true events, Smoke deviates from the original story in some aspects—especially the timeline. The technological equipment used in the show would not have existed in the 1980s, and there are differences in how authorities ultimately apprehend the arsonists.

Despite such deviations from the source material, the show at its heart tells the true and chilling story of a man who meticulously planned arson attacks in crowded places with less security and set fires at multiple places together so that he can escape safely every time.

Smoke will be streaming on Apple TV+.

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