*Apple TV’s eight-episode detective thriller “Down Cemetery Road” made its global debut on Wednesday, October 29, with new installments arriving weekly through December 10. For Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, who portrays the enigmatic Downey, the series presented a character defined by internal conflict and a past that refuses to loosen its grip. As he explained, “Downey is a man with a secret and kind of tortured history, which he is attempting to rectify.”
Set in the aftermath of a devastating house explosion in a quiet Oxford neighborhood, the story follows Sarah Trafford, played by Ruth Wilson, as she becomes consumed with locating a missing child. Her search leads her to private investigator Zoë Boehm, portrayed by Emma Thompson, drawing both women into a sprawling conspiracy where presumed-dead figures reemerge and new casualties mount. Stewart-Jarrett said Downey’s own mission intersects with this chaos: “He’s got to find and save a child. And he is going to do that at the same time as dealing with something incredibly physical that’s happening to him.”
Stewart-Jarrett added, “He’s got these two things. He’s got to rally himself, his body to save a child. And within that, he’s being hunted.”
The actor noted that Downey’s ethical boundaries remain fluid as the mystery deepens. Reflecting on the character’s past, he explained that the moral complexities tie into his shame and survival instincts. “He is a man that has known violence, is known to be violent, and is ready to be violent in order to get to his goal,” he said, adding that the goal itself is rooted in something “very pure and very beautiful.”
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“Those are the morally gray areas we’re dealing with, but he’s dealing with a lot, a lot of shame, a lot of PTSD. He’s carrying a lot of weight there,” Stewart-Jarrett added.
Throughout the series, Downey’s path becomes entwined with Sarah’s in ways neither initially expects. Stewart-Jarrett described shooting with Ruth Wilson across a wide range of environments – “hotel rooms, many, many, many cars… rivers and hills” – and how their characters’ dynamic evolved in tandem with their surroundings. He noted that Wilson’s performance infused moments with levity he couldn’t offer himself: “She could bring some comedy and some levity to it… and then we’d go into very touching, kind of revealing moments.”
One key exchange between their characters follows a tense shift in the investigation, prompting Sarah to question his motives. Stewart-Jarrett broke down that confrontation, saying, “He is not ditching her, but he’s basically saying, I need to do this a solo. And she’s not having that.” That disagreement shapes their trajectory and underscores the ongoing push and pull that defines their partnership.
As the plot accelerates, viewers can expect emotional and narrative turns, though Stewart-Jarrett believes the final direction feels earned. While he noted that the ending may not be shocking for shock’s sake, he described it as “a natural and touching conclusion.”
The series is adapted from award-winning author Mick Herron’s novel of the same name. For newcomers to the show, Stewart-Jarrett hopes audiences embrace both the characters and the tone shaped by writer Morwenna Banks and the creative team at 60Forty Films. He referenced its kinship with other Herron adaptations, saying, “I love that tone… that kind of tone is really an amazing thing to have on television.” Ultimately, his wish is simple: “Please like it, love it. Take what you want from it. Be entertained, though.”
The series is adapted from award-winning author Mick Herron’s novel of the same name.
“Down Cemetery Road,” led by director Natalie Bailey, offers viewers a descent into secrets that span years and relationships tested under pressure. Stewart-Jarrett hopes audiences feel connected enough to follow every turn alongside the characters. “I want you to be invested in these characters and go on this eight-hour journey with them,” he said.
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