Taron Egerton takes on a challenging new role in the Taron Egerton Smoke true crime series, which premiered recently on Apple TV+. The nine-part drama follows a fireman-turned-investigator as he pursues two serial arsonists terrorizing the Pacific Northwest, pulling viewers into the disturbing real-life events that inspired the story.
Smoke is based on the true events explored in the podcast Firebug, centering on John Leonard Orr, a notorious arsonist responsible for more than 2,000 fires during the 1980s and 1990s. Before becoming involved with the show, Egerton admitted he was unaware of Orr’s story, despite its remarkable scale and impact on the nation.
Behind the Creation of ‘Smoke’: Adapting a Chilling Podcast
When asked about his involvement, Egerton revealed,
“I listened to the podcast when the show first came about and the idea was first raised,”
—Taron Egerton, Actor. The depth of the real-life case was both intriguing and unsettling for him, pushing him to explore the nuances of the crimes and their perpetrator.
The series dives into the psychology of John Leonard Orr and the chaos he caused. Egerton shared how overwhelming he found the story, noting how
“it’s disturbing — but it’s just very difficult to wrap your head around as well, because his behaviour was so odd in such a multitude of different ways.”
This personal reaction motivated his approach to portraying Dave Gudsen, the central character in the series, modeled to reflect the complexities of someone dealing with such an extraordinary criminal mind.
Portraying Complexity: Egerton on His Most Unusual Character
Approaching his character in Smoke, Egerton felt a unique sense of challenge.
“It struck me as being a real challenge to try and pull all of those together into something that felt like a cohesive character,”
—Taron Egerton, Actor. The show avoids simple characterizations, intentionally giving depth not only to Gudsen but also to the rest of the cast. Egerton emphasized that
“no one… is very easily squeezed into a box”
and described Dave Gudsen as “a fascinating role.”
Discussing his experience further, Egerton explained,
“He’s so unlike anything that I’ve ever been asked to play before, and actually, in a lot of ways, really unlike anything that I’ve seen on TV before,”
—Taron Egerton, Actor. The psychological complexity of Gudsen, who, according to Egerton,
“has somehow compartmentalised who he is in a way that’s really strange, and if you have an insight into what’s going on behind closed doors, it’s really quite disturbing,”
—Taron Egerton, Actor, helped define the tone and depth of the series.
The Ongoing Impact of ‘Smoke’ and Its Real-World Roots
Set against the backdrop of true events, Smoke invites viewers to reconsider how true crime stories are told, focusing on the motives and psychology of those involved. Apple TV+ is rolling out new episodes of Smoke every Friday, continuing to unravel the layers behind one of America’s most shocking serial arsonists.
This series not only brings attention to the extent of John Leonard Orr’s crimes in the Pacific Northwest but also highlights the efforts of figures like fireman-turned-investigator Dave Gudsen, whose fictional representation is inspired by real professionals affected by Orr. With Egerton’s nuanced performance and the compelling real-world context, Smoke stands out in the genre of true crime dramas, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and true crime enthusiasts alike.
