Emma Thompson’s New Mystery Series Divides Critics & Audiences On Rotten Tomatoes

Down Cemetery Road is dividing critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Apple TV’s new British series stars Emma Thompson, a two-time Oscar winner for Howards End (1992) and Sense and Sensibility (1995), who is also well known for her portrayal of Professor Sybill Trelawney in Harry Potter.

Shortly after its two-episode premiere on October 29, Down Cemetery Road has a 79% score from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, coupled with a 55% audience score. At the time of writing, the show has 39 reviews from critics and fewer than 50 ratings from users, so these scores are subject to change over time.

Based on the 2003 novel by Slow Horses author Mick Herron, Down Cemetery Road stars Emma Thompson as a private investigator who is hired by a concerned neighbor after a girl goes missing in the aftermath of a house explosion in a quiet suburban neighborhood, unraveling secrets and a military conspiracy that causes chaos to ensue.

The cast also includes three-time BAFTA nominee Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre, Mrs. Wilson), two-time BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar (Murdered By My Father, Sherwood), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Emmy nominee Tom Goodman-Hill (Baby Reindeer), BAFTA winner Darren Boyd (Spy), Tom Riley, Adam Godley, Sinead Matthews, Ken Nwosu, Fehinti Balogun, Aiysha Hart, Steven Cree, and Ella Bruccoleri.

In ScreenRant‘s review of Down Cemetery Road, Mae Abdulbaki writes, “Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson are superb in Apple TV’s exciting, deliberately paced mystery thriller… Nothing is ever rushed or skipped over, and the thrills, while subtle, are all the more stressful thanks to the show’s consistent pacing.”

Emma Thompson is looking to the side in Down Cemetery Road

Otherwise, the show is earning positive reviews for its sharp writing, dry humor, and powerhouse performances from Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. Critics praise its tension, wit, and stylish production – calling it a clever and twisty mystery despite some tonal imbalance and pacing issues. While a few critics find it overblown, most agree that Emma Thompson’s magnetic performance makes it unmissable.

On the other hand, audience reactions to Down Cemetery Road are deeply divided. Some viewers find it smart, twisty, and entertaining – praising its mystery and performances – while many others slam it as poorly written, overacted, and painfully unrealistic.

The divide between critics and audiences seems to stem from expectations. While critics appreciate Down Cemetery Road‘s ambition, performances, and tone, audiences – comparing it to Slow Horses – find it confusing, overly stylized, and lacking the grounded storytelling they expect from a Mick Herron adaptation.

Down Cemetery Road airs new episodes on Wednesdays on Apple TV.