Over the past few years, Apple has made a significant investment in proving that it is a top network for prestigious television. Stars have flocked to glitzy dramas and comedies like “The Morning Show,” “Ted Lasso,” and “Palm Royale.” Still, unlike its major competitors, HBO and Netflix, Apple has yet to win any major awards in the Limited Series categories (outside of the craft Emmys). However, this past year, they took home more trophies than ever before (22), with shows like “The Studio” and “Severance” winning in multiple Drama and Comedy categories. Usually, Apple invests not only in its stars, but also in enormous marketing campaigns behind these powerhouse shows. Yet there is one new limited series that could prove to be a sleeper hit and a dark-horse Emmys contender: “Down Cemetery Road.”
Created by the team behind “Slow Horses” and starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, “Down Cemetery Road” is the television adaptation of Mick Herron’s 2003 novel of the same name. A fiery explosion one night sets off a chain of events involving a missing child, a murder, and an unlikely alliance between Thompson’s cynical and pragmatic private investigator, Zoë Boehm, and Ruth Wilson’s restless and obsessive Sarah. Together, they investigate a chilling government conspiracy. As each episode unfolds, the mystery deepens and the stakes rise, which makes the case a life-or-death situation for each of the main characters. The chemistry builds each episode, particularly between Zoë, Sarah, and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett’s Downey, a character with deep ties to the conspiracy, which adds to the intrigue and tension of this classic thriller.
Where Apple usually goes big with its marketing, as we have seen with “The Morning Show” and “Severance,” “Down Cemetery Road” has instead made a quiet entrance into Apple’s television landscape despite the star power of Thompson at its helm. Flying under the radar since launch, there has been no massive marketing push typical of a prestige limited series, unlike Apple’s last attempt with the charming and criminally ignored “Lessons in Chemistry.” Instead, word of mouth has been strong, it holds a respectable 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is sitting at #3 on the U.S. streaming charts and #4 globally as of November 23rd (and is the #1 limited series). “Down Cemetery Road’s” best chance at Emmy nominations is through its star, Dame Emma Thompson. A seven-time Emmy nominee and one-time winner for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for “Ellen” in 1998, she brings the pedigree Emmy voters typically love to a dynamic and complex role. Her portrayal of Zoë Boehm, a practical, no-nonsense, and morally complex private investigator, is layered and infused with her signature wit and charm. Despite Zoë’s questionable decisions, her motivations remain relatable, which makes it impossible not to empathize with her.
Ruth Wilson could also be a contender for Supporting Actress (though she could be pushed Lead) with her portrayal of Sarah. Her performance is a masterclass in subtle intensity and moral ambiguity. She brings a quiet, simmering depth to the character, who is both emotionally guarded and fiercely intelligent. The chemistry these two established actors share should undoubtedly be part of the conversation come Emmy nomination time.
Competition in the Limited Series categories comes from many networks. Netflix has the hits “Death by Lightning,” “Black Rabbit,” “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” by Ryan Murphy, and “The Beast in Me,” the latter currently sitting at #1 in streaming TV shows on the platform. Never one to spare expenses in campaigning, and with some big names backing their shows, Netflix is expected to pull out all the stops once they determine their Limited Series priorities for the Emmys. Hulu and FX also have two true-crime-based miniseries in contention: “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox” and “Murdaugh: Death in the Family.” Both could have Emmy potential for their respective stars, most notably Grace Van Patten as Amanda Knox and Jason Clarke and Patricia Arquette for “Murdaugh: Death in the Family.” Peacock has the recent pop culture sensation “All Her Fault,” starring Sarah Snook, an Emmy favorite from her time on “Succession.” Debuting at #1 on Peacock’s domestic charts, “All Her Fault” quickly became the fall’s go-to watercooler show. Finally, while HBO’s fall debut “Task” shifted from Limited Series to Drama following its recent Season 2 renewal, the network is unlikely to show up empty-handed in the Limited Series categories this spring. Rumored releases that could lead their campaigns include “Portobello,” which is the network’s first Italian original series, and “DTF St. Louis” starring Jason Bateman, David Harbour, and Linda Cardellini.
While competition in the Limited Series categories is likely to be fierce once again this Emmy season, there is no clear runaway favorite akin to last year’s “Adolescence.” However, “Down Cemetery Road” arrives with major star power and richly textured performances. With Apple’s continued push to cement itself as a top awards contender, the series could emerge as a sleeper hit that earns real attention next year.
Have you seen “Down Cemetery Road” yet? if so, what did you think of it? Do you believe it deserves to be up for Emmy consideration later this year? Please let us know in the comments section below and on Next Best Picture’s X account.
