TV Review: ‘Smoke’

TV Review: ‘Smoke’

by | Jul 1, 2025 | Articles, Moviephone Articles

Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

‘Smoke’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

Released on Apple TV+ on June 27th with its first two episodes, ‘Smoke’ marks the reunion of ‘Black Bird’ creator Dennis Lehane and star/producer Taron Egerton for a new drama adapted from the Truth Media podcast ‘Firebug’.

The cast for the new crime drama also includes Jurnee Smollett (‘The Order’), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (‘The Lincoln Lawyer’), Hannah Emily Anderson (‘Jigsaw’), Rafe Spall (‘The Big Short’), John Leguizamo (‘Encanto’) and Greg Kinnear (‘Little Miss Sunshine’).

Related Article: Taron Egerton Investigates Arson in First Images from TV Drama ‘Smoke’

Initial Thoughts

Taron Egerton in 'Smoke,' premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

When Egerton and novelist/screenwriter/showrunner Lehane last teamed up, it was for the aforementioned ‘Black Bird’, an adaptation of James Keene’s and Hillel Levin’s book book ‘In with the Devil’, which saw a prisoner (Egerton) tasked with gathering intel on a serial killer fellow inmate (Paul Walter Hauser).

The result was a critical success, and won several awards, including both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for Hauser.

Hopes are therefore high for the reunion of writer and star, with the pair this time targeting Truth Media podcast ‘Firebug’ as the inspiration for a new limited series set in the world of serial arsonists. But can it live up to the pressure of prior expectations?

Script and Direction

Taron Egerton in 'Smoke,' premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

‘Smoke’ features Lehane running the show again, sharing script duties with fellow writers Adriane McCray (‘War for the Planet of the Apes’) and Molly Anne Miller (‘Long Slow Exhale’).

Here’s the big problem with writing about the limited series: it’s hard to get into its exact issues without diving into spoiler territory. If you’ve heard the podcast or the case that it follows, you’ll know what actually happens, though Lehane and his team have only used the real-life story as loose inspiration, moving the narrative from California to the Pacific Northwest and inventing plenty to supplement it.

In keeping with much of prestige TV, this is a slow burn story, one that initially coasts on the sheer charisma of Egerton and Smollett, and only hinting at the darker story to come. It takes a while to really come to life, but once the plot kicks in around episode five (of nine), things take a more satisfying turn.

Greg Kinnear in 'Smoke,' premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Greg Kinnear in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

This is certainly moody and thoughtful, and goes to some shocking places later on, but it requires some patience.

“Dark” might also describe the directorial style of the show, which opts for shadowy interiors and misty, dreary treescapes and industrial sites (despite its Pacific Northwest setting, it was shot in Vancouver).

But directors Jim McKay, Joe Chappelle and Kari Skogland do manage to fan the flames of interest, and guide the cast towards some memorable performances.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett in 'Smoke,' premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

(L to R) Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Initially, this feels like the Taron and Jurnee show (with a few supporting turns, more on them below), but as the limited series opens out, the rest of the cast get their chance.

Egerton is naturally strong in this sort of conflicted, dramatic role, showing the same chops as he did in ‘Black Bird’ (and some of his movie performances), and playing Gundersen also allows him to have a little fun in a warped sort of way.

He’s just as good whether he’s giving egotistical speeches about how fires can spread as when he’s trying to knuckle down into domestic life with his wife and step-son. One moment that will sear itself into your brain involves Egerton’s character dancing in his underwear to a David Bowie song.

As cop Michelle Calderone, Smollett is easily his equal, her own conflicted personal life spilling into her professional world. She brings a seething, quiet power to the part, and when she launches an investigation later in the series, it feels like the performance really kicks in.

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine is excellent as Freddy Fasano, one of the fire-starters on the loose. While his story initially seems to be siloed from the rest of the cast, it doesn’t diminish his pure dramatic power. And an interaction with Egerton is memorable for its chaos.

(L to R) John Leguizamo and Anna Chlumsky in 'Smoke,' premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

(L to R) John Leguizamo and Anna Chlumsky in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Elsewhere, there’s the likes of John Leguizamo, who is fantastic as Esposito, Dave’s bitter former partner who has an axe to grind against him, while Greg Kinnear offers plenty as Harvey Englehart, Dave’s boss. He’s both convinced that Dave is an ace arson, but also somewhat checked out, planning his retirement.

Hannah Emily Anderson as Ashley, Dave’s wife, has less to do but does enjoy a few decent moments.

Finally, Rafe Spall likewise has a smaller role (at least in the early going), but is superbly snippy as Calderone’s boss/boyfriend and in his antagonistic professional relationship with Englehart.

Final Thoughts

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine in 'Smoke', premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine in ‘Smoke’, premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

‘Smoke’ is a show that might end up severely testing the patience of some, but if you stick with it, the series catches fire in a way that, while many will predict how, is still worth watching.

It may not be on the level of ‘Black Bird,’ but it still works.

Smoke

“A search for serial arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.”

Apple TV Plus Amazon Channel logo
Apple TV+ logo

What’s the plot of ‘Smoke’?

‘Smoke’ follows a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.

Taron Egerton stars as Dave Gudsen, the man with the talent for digging into fire crimes, while Jurnee Smollett is police detective Michelle Calderone.

Who stars in ‘Smoke’?

  • Taron Egerton
  • Jurnee Smollett
  • Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
  • Hannah Emily Anderson
  • Rafe Spall
  • John Leguizamo
  • Greg Kinnear
Taron Egerton in 'Smoke,' premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.

List of Taron Egerton Movies and TV Shows:

Buy Taron Egerton Movies on Amazon

TV & Beyond on 2025-07-01 03:00:00

TV & Beyond on 2025-07-01 03:00:00

by | Jul 1, 2025 | TV & Beyond Articles

TV & Beyond on 2025-07-01 03:00:00

It speaks to the legacy of “Men in Black” that the film still holds strong as an incredible adaptation of the Lowell Cunningham and Sandy Carruthers comic book series, in addition to one of the most creative blockbusters of the ’90s, period. It featured a murderer’s row of talent, with “Bill & Ted” screenwriter Ed Solomon, composer Danny Elfman, production designer Bo Welch, Vincent D’Onofrio in an elastic villain performance, and the incredible team at ILM revealing a world of extraterrestrials hiding in plain sight, not to mention the two movie stars that sold the whole enterprise.

’90s superstar Will Smith was already coming off the one-two box office punch of “Bad Boys” and “Independence Day,” which made him the perfect choice to play Agent J, the rookie. Alongside the more experienced Agent K, he would be taught the ropes of the titular secret organization tasked with protecting the planet from alien threats. The role of the humorless mentor figure would involve some contention before Academy Award-winner Tommy Lee Jones nabbed it, as the studio executives initially wanted Eastwood. Director Barry Sonnenfeld, however, didn’t see him as a good fit and fought hard to get Jones for Agent K (via Inverse):

“The studio really wanted Clint Eastwood. It was me who asked for Tommy, and then I almost got screwed — they couldn’t hire me because Tommy had director approval. Tommy gave me approval.”

If we’re taking a peek into an alternate world, it’s easy to see where Columbia was coming from. Eastwood, by this point, had not only played a seasoned cop in the “Dirty Harry” movies, but had also starred opposite Jeff Bridges in “Thunderbolt & Lightfoot,” as well as Charlie Sheen in the buddy action movie “The Rookie,” even though that film was considered a low point in his career. He possessed a certain gruff that, on paper, would have made him a viable candidate as one half of the alien-busting odd couple. But as we’ve previously discussed, Eastwood is a man who likes to be in charge, and there’s no way he’d have enough authority over his role here for his liking.

Sonnenfeld fighting for Jones was the right decision, as the actor’s gruff yet affectionate chemistry with Smith was undeniable. The two were a once-in-a-lifetime magic pairing that withstood the brunt of the franchise’s diminishing sequels. They were the epitome of cool on every movie poster, and that image alone secured its fate, ensuring the film’s status as a smash hit at the 1997 summer box office, raking in $589.4 million on a $90 million budget.

TV & Beyond on 2025-07-01 00:00:00

TV & Beyond on 2025-07-01 00:00:00

by | Jul 1, 2025 | TV & Beyond Articles

concluded the series on a pretty bleak note. Not only did Detective Jun-ho never manage to shut down the games (or even so much as make a dent in the operation), but the games themselves ended poorly for 99.56% of the players involved. Of the 456 people who took part in the game, only two survived. One was Player 256 (who was discreetly rescued by sympathetic guard Kang No-eul) and the other was Player 222, a cute CGI baby. Even our main character Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) died in the end. He sacrificed himself in order to save 222’s life, throwing himself off a ledge after a season full of pain. 

It’s a dark finale, but it wasn’t always the writers’ plan for Gi-hun. As showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk explained in a recent interview, he was originally thinking about keeping Gi-Hun alive throughout the entire series. That doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that Dong-hyuk was planning to have Gi-hun throw poor baby 222 off that giant triangle. As he explained: 

“I did think about having Gi-hun live. I thought about an ending where Gi-hun would make it out of the game in one way or another, and he would go to America to see his daughter. But in the process of writing it, I had a change of heart. I thought what story do I want to tell through the show? Also, I looked at what was happening around the world at the time and how there was less hope for humanity. I thought of Gi-hun sacrificing himself for this baby, just as we all should for our future generation. That was a better-fitting ending for both the show and the character.”

The finale may be dark, but Hwang Dong-hyuk has found the light in it

Squid Game, Kang No-eul aiming her sniper rifle

Netflix

While fans certainly wanted Gi-Hun to survive the games in one piece, Dong-hyuk finds his fate inspiring. Not only is Gi-Hun’s final act a noble one, but his sacrifice positively impacts the lives of multiple people around him. Even those annoying VIPs seem moved by his decision; it forces them to reflect (at least for a moment) on their own depravity, and for once none of them seem to have anything to say. 

Kang No-eul especially is moved by Gi-Hun’s choice. She’s about to end her own life until she sees him sacrifice himself, and that’s what inspires her to keep on living. Dong-hyuk noted that No-eul (whose name represents “dusk”) is someone who has been stuck living with “deep sadness and guilt that she wasn’t able to save her baby.” She redeems herself by saving Player 246, but it’s not until seeing Gi-hun’s death that she’s willing to rekindle hope that own her child might still be alive in North Korea. 

“I wanted her to be someone who goes beyond what happens at dusk and once again begins to dream of a new day,” Dong-hyuk said. He added: 

“The symbolism behind children [in the show], it’s not just about the biological child of one character, but I wanted that to symbolize any kind of hope we may have for the future as well as our will to live. … I wanted to portray this message where all of these characters and whoever is watching are dreaming of what’s to come in the future.”

By sacrificing himself, Gi-hun won the moral battle against In-ho

Squid Game, Gi-hun holding baby player 222

Netflix

Dong-hyuk noted that In-ho, the game’s ominous Front Man, was also moved by Gi-hun’s final moments. He and Gi-hun have spent the past two seasons locked in a battle of ideologies. The optimistic Gi-hun believes that people are worth protecting, while the bitter, hardened In-ho believes that humans are inherently monstrous and self-serving. 

Throughout most of “Squid Game” season 3, it sure seems like In-ho’s been proven right. Gi-hun’s rebellion falls apart, all the other players end up killing each other, and even the baby 222’s own father is willing to throw him off a cliff if it means saving his own skin. But Gi-hun gets the final word by sacrificing himself. He refuses to take the easy, self-serving route that In-ho took to survive his own time in the games. As Dong-hyuk put it:

“By sacrificing himself, Gi-hun’s actions have definitely touched something in In-ho’s heart, maybe a very small sliver of hope that he had hidden deep down in his heart. I also think it may have triggered some shame in him, because that [sacrifice] was something he wasn’t able to do for himself. With the gaming arena in Korea being completely ruined and seeing this baby who made it out of the game, there was a huge change within the Front Man, and I think that was triggered and brought about by Gi-hun’s actions. I wanted that to be what the audience feels as well.”

TV & Beyond on 2025-06-30 23:42:03

TV & Beyond on 2025-06-30 23:42:03

by | Jun 30, 2025 | TV & Beyond Articles

sacrifices his own life for Player 222, a newborn CGI baby. The moment makes for a poignant conclusion to Gi-hun’s character arc; he goes from a fairly selfish guy in season 1 to someone making the ultimate sacrifice for a stranger in season 3. It also helps Gi-hun win his moral argument against the Front Man In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), as he is proving in his final moments that humans are more than self-serving animals. 

The only problem with Gi-hun’s final moment is that he fails to make a coherent speech. He’s trying to say something profound, but he’s too tired and broken to finish the sentence. All he can say is, “Humans are…” before he gives up and plummets to his death. In the recent Netflix feature “Squid Game in Conversation,” showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk shed some light on what Gi-hun was trying to say. 

“I wanted to continue with, ‘As humans, this is what we should do, as humans, this is how we should be, and starting now, this is how we can turn this world of ours into a better one.'” Dong-hyuk explained. “But as I wrote that all out, it became clear I couldn’t sum this up in a single line. People are far too complex to be defined categorically like that.”

In the end, Gi-hun didn’t need to be all that concise with his final words, as it was his actions that spoke for him. In-ho definitely seemed to understand what he meant, which might be why he went out of his way afterward to make sure Gi-hun’s daughter received his fortune. Kang No-eul (Park Gyuyoung) understood him too; she responded to his final moments by deciding to keep looking for her own lost child, despite the odds not being in her favor. Gi-hun pleaded in his final moments for humans to be kinder to each other, and it seems like the other characters listened.

Dong-hyuk chose not to spell out Gi-hun’s point, and let the audience infer it for themselves

Squid Game, Gi-hun holding the baby Player 222 in his arms, surrounded by other players

Netflix

“If I sent the viewers a message that was so explicit, and so normative and didactic, it would actually only serves to limit the message itself,” Dong-hyuk explained about Gi-hun’s trailed-off final words. “So I decided the rest of what I wanted to say would instead be expressed physically by Gi-hun through his actions, through his deeds, and the sacrifice he makes to save that child.”

It’s an approach that displays a healthy aversion to coming across as preachy. If you want to deliver a lesson to your viewers, a writer’s best approach is to try to get them to reach that lesson without too much help, so they can accept the message as if they’d thought of it on their own. When you spell the lesson out too clearly, it comes across as condescending, and the audience might reject the lesson out of sheer annoyance. 

Gi-hun’s actor, Lee Jung-jae, supported the showrunner’s approach, noting that it left the audience with far more to talk about after the credits rolled. As he explained:

“If our message was complete, with nothing left to interpretation, then the audience would just leave it at that, then go ‘oh, that’s how it all ends’. […] If we had gone that route, the story would’ve just had one single conclusion but because we left the last part of the message opened ended, it feels like we’re continuously communicating back and forth with the audience. So the end’s a conversation, we throw you a question: ‘This is what I think, but what do you think?'”

“Squid Game” season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.

TV & Beyond on 2025-06-30 22:45:00

TV & Beyond on 2025-06-30 22:45:00

by | Jun 30, 2025 | TV & Beyond Articles

quite a few episodes of “Always Sunny” have been pulled from streaming services due to characters being in blackface. As edgy as the series can be, however, Olson has a few appetizer (read: tamer) episodes to start out with for viewers wanting to give it a chance.

Kaitlin Olson’s episode recommendations for Abbott Elementary fans

Dee (Kaitlin Olson) brags about beating the system in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

FXX

Near the start of 2025, one of the most bizarre yet surprisingly fitting television crossovers in recent memory occurred between “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Abbott Elementary.” Given that the former series is a staple of basic cable, whereas the latter has become a hit sitcom for ABC, it’s the perfect example of two shows that are complete opposites — at least with regard to their respective characters’ attitudes — somehow coming seamlessly together. We’ll have to see if that remains the case when the second half of the crossover airs, kicking off the 17th season of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” in the process.

In the meantime, Olson has given “Abbott Elementary” viewers some episode recommendations. In an exclusive for The A.V. Club, Olson suggested that, given “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is on basic cable, much of the series’ content is incompatible with network television and may give certain “Abbott” fans some major tonal whiplash. She also hilariously acknowledged that perhaps it’s best that new viewers not watch one of the most popular “Always Sunny” episodes, “The Nightman Cometh” with their grandmothers. With that said, here are five “tamer” episodes Olson selected as a primer, along with her descriptions:

Episode 502: “The Gang Hits the Road”

“The gang attempts to expand their horizons by taking a road trip to the Grand Canyon. You’ll get to see me throw a jar of pee on my husband [Rob McElhenney], and the song ‘Runaway Train’ will forever hold a special place in your heart.”

Episode 603: “The Gang Buys a Boat”

“The gang attempts to open themselves up to the adventures of the sea after they purchase their ‘new’ boat. This one will teach you all about the implication. And you’ll get to see my sweet moves.”

Episode 704: “Sweet Dee Gets Audited”

“Desperate times call for sad and horrific measures as Sweet Dee tries to get out of an IRS audit. The rest of the gang institutes a new democratic voting system in Paddy’s that’s sure to solve all their problems. (It doesn’t solve any of their problems.)”

Episode 1004: “Charlie Work”

“When a surprise health inspection falls on the same day as one of the gang’s less hygienic schemes, Charlie tries to keep the gang working together to make sure Paddy’s makes the grade. This was shot like a play with one camera movement. You’ll be so impressed with us.”

Episode 1008: “The Gang Goes on Family Fight”

“When the gang appears on a nationally broadcasted game show, Dennis does his best to keep the gang’s weirdness under wraps. Great example of all of our characters’ personalities. And Keegan-Michael Key hates our guts. (Not in real life. I don’t think.)”

How time has only been kinder to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton), Dee Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson), Mac (Rob McElhenney), Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito), and Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) standing together in a hallway in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

FXX

This summer, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” will not only premiere its 17th season, but it will also mark its 20th anniversary since premiering in 2005. Although it may not be the longest-running sitcom of all time (though it could reach that point someday), its ability to endure for two decades on FX, FXX, and on numerous streaming services such as Hulu have only built an even larger fanbase that has only grown more passionate and excited to watch the continuing misadventures (or rather, degradation) of the Paddy’s Pub gang as the years pass them by.

The fact that a crossover between “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Abbott Elementary” even happened at all is a testament to the timeless appeal of watching a group of despicable characters endure such ridiculous circumstances. Here’s to hoping that even as its cast pursues other creative endeavors beyond Paddy’s Pub, we’ll continue to enjoy the never-ending antics of the gang for years to come.

New episodes of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” will begin airing on FXX starting July 9, 2025, before streaming the next day on Hulu.

TV & Beyond on 2025-06-30 22:20:00

TV & Beyond on 2025-06-30 22:20:00

by | Jun 30, 2025 | TV & Beyond Articles

ever-evolving catalogue of TV shows, and his plans for “Mayor of Kingstown” should have longtime viewers feeling energized for the future of the Paramount+ show because of the careful considerations the creator has taken every step of the way.

“Mayor of Kingstown“ is a joint project headed by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, and the second man in that sentence just had an interview with ScreenRant where he discussed their relationship as they head into the future of the show. Dillon made it clear that Sheridan has been a massive force in his life professionally and personally, guiding his development as a storyteller through mentorship and coaching all this time. As their bond developed, the scope of a project like “Mayor of Kingstown” took shape. The co-creator explained that the “Yellowstone” architect apparently has seven seasons’ worth of story to tell with Jeremy Renner and this growing franchise, which is going to perk up the ears of any fans that have been watching the first three seasons of the story on Paramount+.

Dillon began, “He’s coached me, this was the first thing he ever wrote, and he was my acting coach. He coached me on 100 episodes of TV, and we would talk about this all the time. And when we first mapped it out, he’s the king at knowing where it ends. I like intros, and I like explosive intros.” The co-creator continued, laughing, “And he has an ending for it in season 7. Whether it goes that far or that’s where we get [who knows], but he has an ending and everyone knows about it, the broad strokes. And when you talk to him, he will tell you in detail. So, our goal is to get to that season 7, because that’s as far as we can get, because that’s where he’s always had it.”

Taylor Sheridan’s seven season plan for Mayor of Kingstown signal a bright future for the series

Mike McLusky in Mayor of Kingstown

Paramount

While “Mayor of Kingstown” might not be confirmed to run seven seasons at this point, the popular show was already renewed for season 4, so it’s not outlandish to believe that the Jeremy Renner vehicle could end up getting it over the finish line. American crime thrillers have probably never been more popular than in the streaming era, and audiences don’t seem to care if the threats are real or imagined, as long as there’s a slightly complicated good guy chasing antagonists around with some explosions and gunplay thrown in for good measure! But, there’s even more reason to be optimistic about the future of the show because Jeremy Renner seems open to playing this role for as long as possible.

Renner plays Michael McLusky in the Paramount+ show; his character is the lynchpin for viewers following all the drama in Kingstown, and his presence is fairly crucial for everything in the show. As you may know, the Marvel star was involved in a horrific snowplow accident in 2023, and had a long road back to being able to walk during his recovery. However, that hasn’t stopped him from returning and filming another season of “Mayor of Kingstown,” which is an encouraging sign, and he’s already posted on Instagram that he’s excited for people to see the upcoming season. Renner told Happy Sad Confused that the past couple of years have been a literal struggle to feel good enough to get out there and complete these jobs because of all the trouble from the accident. The actor said, “I feel like I have a lot more personality on set or just in life. It’s not just 100% focus on just getting physicality, getting feeling terrible. You know, it takes a lot of mental attention to every joint. It was a lot.”

Mayor of Kingstown continues full-steam ahead toward a massive conclusion

Mike McLusky in Mayor of Kingstown

Paramount

With all of this in mind, you have to feel pretty good about Mayor of Kingstown gliding into the homestretch of its run. With season 4 already in the can and a lot of momentum behind the show from multiple corners, viewers can feel optimistic about a possible three additional seasons on Paramount+ at this rate. CBS and Paramount have a great working relationship with the creative team, even though there are some snags with power struggles that need to be noted here, they’re clearly not going to abandon “Mayor of Kingstown” in the immediate future.

One thing fans should keep an eye on as the seasons progress is if Paramount makes the decision to air “Mayor of Kingstown” over broadcast like they did for “Tulsa King,” because that would signal that the Sheridan program is getting an even bigger push than it had before. As CBS goes through even more evolution in the streaming era, they’ve tried a lot of different things to goose viewership of terrestrial TV in the ensuing years, and some things have worked, like putting out shows that were originally made for their streamer onto the good old CBS programming lineup. So, if we ever see “Mayor of Kingstown” hit the network, you’ll know that we’re definitely going to get to that seventh season, and maybe, if we’re lucky, a fun ending to a show millions of people out there love.