Taron Egerton has quickly become one of the standout stars on streaming platforms, following his acclaimed performance in Netflix’s holiday thriller Carry-On. His newest project, Smoke, is now streaming on Apple TV+ and gaining international attention. Released recently, Smoke follows a troubled detective and an arson investigator as they pursue two serial arsonists, captivating viewers across more than 40 countries.
Starring alongside Egerton are Jurnee Smollett and Rafe Spall. The true-crime series has garnered mostly favorable critiques, earning a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 72% audience score on Popcornmeter. Smoke’s blend of suspense and character-driven drama appeals to fans looking for something similar to the original True Detective, especially recalling the first season of HBO’s acclaimed show starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.
Creative Team and Comparisons Fuel Interest in ‘Smoke’
Smoke was created and written for television by Dennis Lehane, known for his mastery in crime storytelling. The writing team features Molly Anne Miller, Steven Hanna, Adriane McCray, Kary Anthoulis, and Steve Harris, while the directing roster includes Joe Chapelle, Jim McKay, and Kari Skogland, who has also worked on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Egerton is no stranger to complex roles, having starred as Eggsy in the Kingsman franchise and earned an Emmy nomination for his role opposite Paul Walter Hauser in the Apple TV+ series Black Bird.
The series has drawn immediate comparisons to True Detective because of its intense narrative pace and the compelling dynamic between the main characters. This style of storytelling seems to resonate strongly with viewers who appreciate nuanced detective dramas with atmosphere and depth.
Current Streaming Hits on Apple TV+
While Smoke rises as a hit, it is part of a wider strong slate of Apple TV+ content currently capturing audiences. The top-ranked show is Stick, a comedy featuring Owen Wilson, which draws comparisons to Ted Lasso, the popular series led by Jason Sudeikis. Ted Lasso continues to perform well, ranking within the top five shows on Apple.
Following Stick is Foundation, a science-fiction drama starring Lee Pace and Jared Harris, which is expected to climb higher as Stick’s season concludes. Jon Hamm stars in Your Friend and Neighbors, another notable Apple original still receiving steady attention.
Smoke stands out as one of the most watched programs globally on Apple TV+ at present, reflecting strong audience engagement and critical interest. This success positions Taron Egerton and his colleagues well for future projects within the Apple streaming ecosystem.
Principal Cast Highlights
Taron Egerton leads the cast as Dave Gudsen, supported by Jurnee Smollett, playing Michelle. Their performances add significant depth to the intense and suspenseful themes that Smoke explores throughout its early episodes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Taron Egerton LGBTQ?
A. After people guessed about his sexuality, Egerton clarified he is not gay but finds happiness in supporting his gay friends.
Q. Is Taron Egerton LGBT?
A. After his grandmother passed away from motor neurone disease, he became a representative for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Amid questions about his sexual orientation, Egerton clarified that while he isn’t gay, he happily supports his gay friends.
