Sartaj Singh
Apple TV+’s ‘Down Cemetery Road,’ headlined by Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, is gearing up to roll cameras in June in England. The mystery thriller series is based on Mick Herron’s novel of the same name, which is part of his ‘The Oxford Investigations’ book series. Morwenna Banks serves as the lead writer and one of the project’s executive producers.
The show will transport us to a quiet Oxford suburb that is rocked by an explosion. A girl living in the house at the center of the explosion disappears without a trace, becoming an obsession for Sarah Tucker (Wilson). Sarah relentlessly searches for her and brings on private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson) for assistance. Their investigation soon leads them to a sprawling conspiracy enveloping the neighborhood, with those thought to be long dead still alive while more people are sent to an early grave.
The adaptation of ‘Down Cemetery Road’ follows the immense success of Apple TV+’s multi-BAFTA Award-winning ‘Slow Horses,’ starring Gary Oldman. The show is adapted from Herron’s book series of the same name and has aired for three seasons thus far, with two more announced. The author’s work is characterized by profound insight into the subject matter along with absurdism, which he reasons is derived from the farcical state of affairs in the real world. “‘Down Cemetery Road’ has all the hallmarks of Mick Herron’s funny and acerbic writing, and I’m delighted we will be bringing it to life for Apple TV+ with such a stellar cast,” said Jay Hunt, Apple TV+’s creative director for Europe, in a statement.
Thompson is an Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award winner who recently stepped into the role of Agatha Trunchbull in ‘Matilda: The Musical,’ Cath Stevenson in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It?’ and Lady Marcham in ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?.’ She will feature in the upcoming ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ and ‘The Fisherwoman.’ Ruth Wilson is a Golden Globe and two-time Olivier Award-winning actress whose latest work includes ‘Family,’ ‘The Woman in the Wall,’ ‘His Dark Materials,’ and ‘See How They Run.’ She is also expected to appear in upcoming projects like ‘The Book of Ruth,’ ‘A Very Royal Scandal,’ and ‘Andorra.’
Banks is brought on board ‘Down Cemetery Road’ following her acclaimed work on the writing team of ‘Slow Horses.’ Banks has also penned scripts for Apple TV+’s ‘Masters of the Air,’ Sky’s ‘Funny Woman,’ and ‘Damned.’ The screenwriter is executive producing the show along with Hakan Kousetta, Jamie Laurenson, Tom Nash, Thompson, and Wilson. Natalie Bailey leads the directors’ team. Bailey’s recent credits include ‘Audrey,’ ‘Bay of Fires,’ and Peacock’s ‘Joe vs. Carole.’
Considering its canonical setting, England is justified as the series’ location. There are several exciting projects that are set to shoot across the country this year. The third installment in the ’47 Meters Down’ film series, will begin filming in London in September. The second season of ‘Maxton Hall — The World Between Us’ is slated to shoot in the region sometime this summer. Both ‘Bridgerton’ season 4 and BBC’s ‘Smoggie Queens’ will be taped in London in the coming months.
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