Latest news with #AppleTV+'
Japan Today
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Arson ignites the Dennis Lehane-created Apple TV+ firebug series 'Smoke'
By MARK KENNEDY Author and screenwriter Dennis Lehane has a healthy respect for the power of fire. He learned that the hard way — surviving a house fire in Boston in his 30s. Lehane was living on the top floor of an apartment building when a propane tank on the roof exploded and started a blaze. The landlord was replacing the building's smoke detectors at the time so none were working. Lehane is lucky to be alive and he credits, in part, the flames. 'If you're trapped in fire — if you wake up and the building you're in is on fire — it's up to the fire at that point. It's really up to whims of the fire, whatever's going to happen to you. And I find that lack of control fascinating.' Lehane, whose literary canon includes the novels-turned-movie hits 'Gone, Baby, Gone' and 'Mystic River,' has turned to fire for his latest project — Apple TV+'s new nine-episode crime drama 'Smoke.' It debuts Friday. It's based on the true story of a former arson investigator who was convicted in 1998 of serial arson, captured in part after he wrote a novel about a firefighter who was a serial arsonist. The case — chronicled in the 2021 podcast Firebug — sparked something in Lehane. 'I just thought, that's just the height of craziness. Like, you're not only in denial about who you are, you're so far in denial you're going to write a book about what a great guy you are and then use the fires that you set as the models for the fires in your book?' he says. 'I can get in the zip code of that mindset; I cannot land on the street, though." The show marks a reunion between Lehane, Greg Kinnear and Taron Egerton, who previously worked together on the 2022 Apple TV+ series "Black Bird." It also stars Jurnee Smollett, Anna Chlumsky and John Leguizamo, and boasts an original, eerie song by Radiohead's Thom Yorke called 'Dialing In.' Egerton plays Dave Gudsen, an arson investigator in Umberland, a fictional town in the Pacific Northwest, who is chasing two separate firebugs. He's teamed up with a smart but troubled detective played by Smollett, who begin a game of cat and mouse. If the setup sounds like it leads to a typical TV procedural, viewers who stick around get rewarded by a show that gets weirder and more complex, infused by Lehane's attraction to moral ambiguity. 'We walk with contradictions and I think that's the dramatic irony that Dennis is exploring.' says Smollett. 'These people are saying they're fighting to do the right thing and yet they're morally questionable. I think that's very relevant today.' Edgerton's Dave, it's soon clear, is not who he appears to be and has an almost superhuman ability to compartmentalize aspects of his personal and private lives. He is both bombastic and insecure, goofy and frightening. 'Taron has endless reservoirs of talent to draw on. He's an extremely inspired actor,' says Lehane. 'He comes at it from the same place I come at it, which is Taron won't take a role unless some part of it scares him. I won't tell a story unless some of it scares me." Egerton said he relished a chance to show a different side of himself, rebelling a little at his safe, good-guy public persona after the success of his heroic turn in 2024's 'Carry-On.' 'You know what? I'm not that affable. I am sometimes, but I'm not some of the time,' he says, laughing. 'I think the thing I love about Dave is there is a tension between what the perception of him is and who he really is. And how can you ever really know who a person is?' Adding to the series' allure is some of Lehane's street poetry, like the line: 'Whatever you do, whatever you know, however much lifetime wisdom you've accrued, fire puts a lie to it all.' Smollett was onboard after an initial conversation with Lehane in which he said: 'So many of us say we want to be happy and yet we are drawn to the very thing that will destroy us.' That was Smollett's entry point to her gloriously messy character. Smollett's detective, a former Marine, refuses to be vulnerable, is excellent at her job, traumatized by a past experience with arson and not afraid to mess with anyone. Early on, she is shown using a sledgehammer to her own home. 'She plays with fire,' says Smollett. 'She's living on the edge and has this mask and this guard up and walks around as if she's invincible because she's really just afraid." Lehane says with 'Smoke' he's drawn to people who invest in a narrative of who they choose to be rather than be true to who they really are. 'You don't know who they are because they don't know who they are,' he says. 'They're running from themselves, they're running from their true selves. And I felt like that's the interesting story here I'm trying to tell.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Irish Daily Star
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
I'm hooked on Apple TV+'s new crime drama despite problematic episode
Apple TV+'s latest crime drama commits what I perceive is the ultimate sin for a debut series, yet I find myself urging folks to give it a watch. Smoke has dropped its first two episodes, joining the ranks of Apple TV+'s high-end, original drama lineup that already includes titles like Your Friends and Neighbors, The Studio, Stick, Dope Thief, Murderbot, and Prime Target from earlier this year. That's quite the crowd of newbies vying for your screen time. As someone who critiques films and TV professionally, I get some early access to shows pre-release. So, just so you know, at the time of penning this, I've devoured the initial five episodes out of the nine-part season. Smoke is a slow burn until it gets going (Image: Apple) Keep in mind, three of those aren't even out for subscribers until July. This detail is key because if I had only seen the currently streaming premiere, I'd probably advise you to skip Smoke altogether. An early critique hailed Smoke as "nine great hours of television.", reports Wales Online . Here's the kicker: the critic must've binged the whole lot, because if they'd only seen the first couple of episodes, their tune might be different. Heads up, I'm about to share what goes down right at the start of Smoke. But hey, it might just convince you to fast-forward through the first 10 minutes or so. The series chronicles troubled detective Michelle Calderone, portrayed by Jurnee Smollett, who must join forces with arson expert Dave Gudsen, played by Taron Egerton, as they pursue two elusive serial arsonists. They find themselves enmeshed in a "twisted game of secrets and suspicions" as they delve into the crux of the frightening offenses. Drawing inspiration from real occurrences and the esteemed Firebug podcast, enthusiasts of the podcast will recognize where the narrative's critical turning point is headed. Launching a fresh series as it strives to carve out its characters, locale, concept, and convince viewers of its legitimacy is no small feat, encountering several pet peeves. Voiceover narration should be more than mere exhibition; it must authentically complement the visual storytelling, rather than indulging in pretentious reflections mirroring the show's theme. Another concern lies with erratic flashbacks; presenting past or future scenarios prior to identifying the temporal sequence can work effectively. However, juggling timelines incessantly risks obscuring the story's true genesis. Smoke plunges headfirst into these pitfalls. We're introduced to Taron Egerton's character amidst flames, ensnared within a burning structure, as his superfluous voiceover ruminates on conflagrations—and then, suddenly, he awakens! Similarly, when the series unveils our other lead, her background unfolds through sporadic, disjointed glimpses into the past. Despite the presence of these clichés, which is surprising given that the episode is written by seasoned scribe Dennis Lehane, I'd still urge most viewers to stick with it. We've arrived at one of the worst things a review could disclose to potential viewers: you'll need to endure the first two episodes before deciding if this show is your cup of tea. By the climactic scene of the second episode and its jaw-dropping plot twist, I've transitioned from wanting to throw in the towel to being hooked on what comes next. Taron Egerton in Smoke (Image: Apple) Starting from episode three, Egerton's fire investigator character evolves beyond just being an awful stepdad, revealing layers the show is gradually unmasking. Detective Calderone becomes intriguing when he's actually probing the central crime of the story rather than mulling over an affair, and I'm itching to uncover what's up with Ntare Mwine's Freddy Fasano. The series' weekly release schedule might pose a problem here, as it might be more enjoyable as a binge-watch. Smoke isn't the standout show of the year. It doesn't even top Apple's new series roster for 2025 (that honor goes to The Studio, in case you're curious), but I find myself irresistibly drawn to its intrigue, eager to see how it all wraps up and recommending it to anyone in search of a twist-filled crime drama. Smoke is streaming on Apple TV+.
Elle
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Charlotte Lawrence Wants You to Hear the Song She Wrote About You
Charlotte Lawrence is putting together a David Bowie puzzle during our Zoom call. It's of his iconic album cover for Aladdin Sane. She's finished Bowie's face and outline, and all that's left is the most challenging part: the background. 'Whenever I'm talking on the phone or doing anything like this, if I'm not doing something physical, I will go on for hours,' she says. 'I got the head and the body, but now all this is just white, so I'm like, what the fuck am I supposed to do?' Lawrence's new album Somewhere, out today, was something like that too. She's been working on the project for years, first teasing it with the 2022 track 'Morning.' She has since shared four more singles, including one of her favorites, 'Bodybag.' Although she released two EPs in high school, Young (2018) and Charlotte (2021), a full album has long been a bucket list item for the 25-year-old singer. 'It's been such a crazy few years figuring it out—all the tedious pieces of the puzzle that I had to put together, and all the awesome creative bits,' Lawrence says. Now that the album is finally out, it still feels unreal. 'I'm like, that's disgusting. That's illegal.' Somewhere is autobiographical, detailing the highs and lows of Lawrence's last few years, from life during COVID to the growing pains of her 20s. It has rock and indie influences, with Lawrence's calming voice soaring throughout. She'll soon take the music on the road with a North American tour throughout July and August. After that, the singer and actress will return in the second season of AppleTV+'s Bad Monkey. Raised by parents in the entertainment industry, Lawrence has been surrounded by creatives from a young age. Her dad, Bill Lawrence, is a producer and writer, and her mom, Christa Miller, is an actress and music supervisor. They both have championed her music career, putting her in piano and singing lessons as a kid. 'I grew up around writers and beautiful people in Hollywood that just were passionate about their jobs,' she says. 'I was like, 'Oh, this is a possibility. You can pursue your passion. You can do this creative thing.'' A few days before the album drop, ELLE caught up with Lawrence to talk Somewhere. Yeah, I do. It's so personal to me. I've really gotten to the place of utter love and acceptance for it. I obviously want billions of people to listen to it and love it, and I want to play it for millions of people. If only five people that I respect love it, I'll be happy. If somebody doesn't like it, I'm not going to take it personally. It feels like me, and it feels so authentic. Everybody has their own taste, who cares? It'll be a part of me that I've chosen to [share with] people, but it'll still be my story, and that won't change. I love everything. I was going into the COVID-19 pandemic knowing that I just wanted to make new music, have fun, and go on tour. I was very blasé about it all. I released my first two EPs when I was in high school, not giving a care in the world and just partying and being like, okay, cool. I make music. Then, along with the rest of the world, I had a horrible, tough time with COVID. Being isolated like that and going through a whole worldwide event, is really fucking scary and disorienting. That, combined with a very hefty amount of personal shit that I was going through, was like: Okay, you're not a kid anymore. You're an adult. This is what heartbreak is. This is what deep pain is. Take off the rose-colored glasses. Welcome to reality. It really felt like my world was collapsing in a big way. I took the time to go through it, to feel it, to break down, to be insane, and then heal, work on myself, and figure out who I was. And then, I was like, okay, I love making music more than anything in the motherfucking world. This is what brings me joy and peace. I dove in and really made something that I feel proud of. This is the first time in my whole life that I would listen to my entire album top to bottom and would love it, even if my name wasn't on it. I'd be like, 'Who the fuck is this?' One of the last songs I made for this album was the title track. I had a similar feeling about 'Bodybag,' the first song I made for the project. 'Bodybag' is about me being the one who was hurt, a scorned woman almost. 'Somewhere' is a weird opposite of that. It's about a time that I really messed up and made a huge mistake. I really hurt somebody. I remember writing 'Somewhere' and being like, 'Yeah, this fucking feels good.' Everybody makes mistakes. I've been on this side of it, and now I'm on that side of it. This feels like a huge button on the end of the album, like the cherry on top. I would just start calling the album Somewhere. The 'Somewhere album' or 'I want to go somewhere on tour.' I heard Haim say something like this recently, and I really resonated with it. You know those things that start as meaning nothing and then eventually, through time, hold weight and meaning for you? I equate this album to growing up in Los Angeles, as a young girl, maybe being shown too much too early, and feeling like my brain is somewhere, anywhere, everywhere, all the time. Oh my God, I want everybody that all my songs are about to hear them. I have the opposite worry. I've had songs written about me before. Even the mean ones, I'm like, this is exciting. The rush is amazing. The attention is wonderful. On the reverse side of it, I'm like, how cool is it to have a song written about you? Even if it's like, 'Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.' This person is thinking about me. That's awesome. A little part of me is like, 'I want you to fucking know, bitch, I want you to remember that you hurt me, so listen to it, please. If you hurt me bitch, and I'm screaming at you, I want you to hear it again. I want it to play in your house all the time. I want you to hear it everywhere you step.' My parents are not musically inclined, but they are so creative in their own right. I think I get my songwriting affinity and passion from [my dad]. My mom has an impeccable ear. I remember I asked my mom if I could take piano lessons when I was five or so. She found me this woman named Jamie. I told [Jamie] that I really wanted to sing, and it was a passion of mine. We would spend the first 30 minutes learning classical piano music. Then, the last 30 minutes I got to choose any song that I loved. She would teach it to me, and I would sing it. I remember anytime I would sing at my school choir, they'd always be like, 'Sing loud. Belt.' Jamie was always like, 'No, keep your quiet voice. This is your natural voice. Nurture this, keep going, let's start writing. You like these chords from this song? How about you just change a few, and then write your own song with it?' I was like…12. She just really nurtured this natural passion. And through my parents, their friends, and the awesome people that I grew up around, I got to walk through many doors and meet all the right people. The rest is history. I understand how fortunate I am and that I was born with more opportunities. Growing up, I got to meet Ed Sheeran and all these cool musicians and go to these cool concerts and have great seats. That is what it is, and I'm so frickin' grateful for it. To be frank, I was born with this passion, this thing that brings me more joy than anything in my life. So, I truly do feel like I would be doing myself a massive disservice if I didn't take advantage of those things. I do truly believe that connections, being a 'nepo-baby,' and growing up with money can open the door and make it so that I'm not needing to make music or I won't be able to eat or pay rent. I am doing it because I want to, not because I desperately need to. I very much recognize that, but it can't get me through the door. They can introduce me to all the right people, but I'm not going to sell out a tour because of my parents. I'm going to sell out a tour if people want to come see me sing. I understand that, and I can appreciate my own talent and my hard work, while also being extremely aware and appreciative of the opportunities I've gotten from my parents. I also recognize that a lot of people grow up without this being a possibility. Their parents are like, 'You've got to go to college, you've got to do this.' My parents always were like, 'No, find what you're passionate about and fucking stick with it. Pursue it.' Their only rule with me was, if you want to do something like this, you got to put your all into it. You can't half-ass it. I don't hate it. It's a hard question because they're similar in many ways, but they're so different. I also feel like when I'm currently in something, I give it my all a hundred times over. So, my album is out in four days, and I'm about to go on tour, and I'm so in the music world. That's all that matters. When I was filming Bad Monkey, I was like, 'This is all that is.' But, if I'm going to be so open and real with you, music is my heart, joy, and love. This is so lame, but did you ever watch Soul? You know when they're in their element or something? When he closes eyes, he plays piano, and he's in this other world? That's how I feel, in a weird way. The thing that music brings me is, even if I'm closing my eyes and listening to a song that's not even mine, I have this weird connection with it. I get full body chills. It is how I narrate my life. Music is everything to me on such a crazy level. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Apple TV+'s latest series does the worst thing for a new show but I can't help recommend it
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info *Warning - this article contains minor spoilers for the opening scene in Smoke, episode one* Apple TV+'s latest series does the worst thing a new show could possibly do, in my opinion, but I still can't help but recommend it. The first two episodes of Smoke are now available. It is the latest prestigious and original television drama series from the company. It comes after the likes of Your Friends & Neighbors, The Studio, Stick, Dope Thief, Murderbot and Prime Target all releasing earlier this year. That's a lot of new shows demanding your attention. As a film and TV writer and critic, I'm able to see shows before they're released. So, let it be known that as of writing, I have so far watched the first five episodes of the nine-part season. Three of those will not be available to subscribers until July. This is crucial, as had I only watched the premiere streaming now, I would most likely tell you not to bother at all with Smoke. (Image: Apple) An early review of Smoke claimed it is "nine great hours of television." That's the thing. The reviewer had clearly watched all nine hours, as had they only watched the first two, it would be described quite differently. Be warned, as I'm about to mention some aspects of what happens in Smoke's opening moments. However, it could lead you to realising you can skip the first 10 minutes or so. The series follows troubled detective, Michelle Calderone, played by Jurnee Smollett, who is made to team up with arson investigator, Dave Gudsen, played by Taron Egerton, as they track down two serial arsonists. Their investigation turns into a "twisted game of secrets and suspicions" as they try to track down those responsible for the alarming crimes. The series is inspired by true events and the acclaimed Firebug podcast. Those familiar with that podcast will already know where the biggest plot point leads. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Apple TV+ Get Apple TV+ free for a week TV fans can get Apple TV+ free with a seven-day trial and stream acclaimed shows like Severance, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends and you won't pay a penny. £0 Apple TV+ Get Apple TV+ here Now, the worst way a new series which is attempting to establish its characters, setting, premise and convince viewers the premise is viable is one of a few things. At least it is for me personally. These include a voiceover. There really needs to be a good reason for this tactic. It cannot be just describing what should be shown or utilising flowery language about the show's theme. There's also intermittent flashbacks. You want to show a past or future event before telling the audience we are actually days later or before said event? Fine. But don't keep flashing between past and present as if you couldn't decide where the story should start. Smoke manages to do every one of these things. Taron Egerton's character begins trapped in a burning building, his voiceover pointlessly droning about fires then - he wakes up! When our other lead character is introduced, we get more intermittent flashbacks for her. However, despite all those tropes, which is surprising they are even present considering the episode is penned by an experienced writer in Dennis Lehane, I recommend most viewers to push on. We come to one of the other worst things that a review could tell a potential audience. You're going to have to make it through the first two episodes before knowing if this show is for you. By the final scene of the second episode and its huge plot twist, I've gone from wanting to give up, to needing to know what's next. (Image: Apple) From episode three, Egerton's arson investigator is more than just a terrible stepfather, there's a side the show is delicately peeling away to reveal. Detective Calderone is now interesting when actually investigating the story's central crime rather than reflecting on an affair, and I need to know just what is going on with Ntare Mwine's Freddy Fasano. The show's weekly release schedule could be an issue here, as perhaps it is better as a binge watch. Smoke is not the best show of the year. It's not even Apple's best new series of 2025 (The Studio, if you were wondering) but I still find myself attracted to its flames, needing to know how it all ends and recommending it to anyone who is after a twisty crime drama. Smoke is streaming on Apple TV+.
Refinery29
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Sherry Cola Used To Hide Her Mom's Cooking. Now, It's Her Love Language.
Sherry Cola is beaming. But we're not at some glitzy Hollywood party — it's 9 a.m. at an old strip mall in San Gabriel Valley and she's giving me a tour of her family's beloved order-at-the-counter restaurant. She points out each dish with pride: curry chicken, crispy pork chop, spicy bamboo shoots, wok-fried peanuts, tofu skin meatballs, the list goes on. 'Every order comes with a milk tea and seaweed soup, on the house,' she adds with a smile. Cola said she used to work the counter after school, sometimes making the milk tea for the customers. But it wasn't always like this — the food, yes, but not the pride. 'I remember bringing dumplings with extra, extra chives [to school] and feeling embarrassed they smelled,' she says. 'Embarrassed that my parents had an accent. I'm ashamed I was ashamed. It was a testament to how hard they worked despite not knowing the language. They made something from nothing — and that is the American dream. Now, I get to carry on that legacy.' These days, Sherry isn't behind the counter as often as she was in high school — and for good reason. She's busy filming the next season of Apple TV+'s Shrinking, Netflix's Nobody Wants This, and starring alongside Keanu Reeves in Good Fortune. But she still finds ways to show love for her roots — like bringing her mom as her date to red carpet premieres, including the recent Bride Hard premiere. In this episode of Fam Style, Sherry and I sit down over plates of nostalgic Shanghainese comfort food to talk about family, cultural identity, coming out — and why the food she once hid is now her greatest source of pride. Fam Style spotlights Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) changemakers across entertainment, food, art, and culture. Over shared meals at AAPI-owned restaurants, we sit down with creators, artists, and innovators to talk about identity, ambition, community, and the stories that shape us. Through intimate conversations and the language of food, we highlight the nuance, joy, and resilience within the AAPI experience — one dish at a time.
