In a groundbreaking moment for British television, two of the UK’s most revered actors, Nicola Walker and Cillian Murphy, have teamed up for the first time in Netflix’s Ashes in the Fog, an eight-part crime-psychological-noir thriller that premiered on September 18, 2025. This haunting, mind-bending series, set in a fog-drenched coastal town, blends murder, mystery, and chilling coincidences that blur the line between fiction and reality. With Walker as the steely DCI Rowan Ellis and Murphy as the enigmatic crime novelist Eamon Doyle, their electric chemistry and the show’s gripping narrative have sparked a global frenzy, with fans and critics hailing it as a darker, more twisted successor to Scandinavian noirs like Department Q. As Ashes in the Fog dominates Netflix’s Top 10, its atmospheric visuals, layered storytelling, and powerhouse performances signal a new high-water mark for the genre.
Set in the fictional coastal town of Dunhaven, Ashes in the Fog follows DCI Rowan Ellis (Walker), a seasoned detective summoned to investigate a series of eerie disappearances that leave no trace. The case takes a surreal turn when Ellis crosses paths with Eamon Doyle (Murphy), a reclusive crime novelist whose bestselling books eerily mirror the real-life deaths plaguing the town. Each time Doyle completes a manuscript, a new body surfaces, matching the grisly details of his stories with uncanny precision. Forced into an uneasy partnership, Ellis and Doyle navigate a labyrinth of secrets stretching from misty harbor docks to a desolate, creaking lighthouse, where their own pasts unravel in ways neither could anticipate. Inspired by true events—though Netflix has kept details vague—the series weaves a narrative so intricate it keeps viewers guessing whether Doyle is a killer, a victim, or a pawn in a larger, more sinister game.
The series, created by Abi Morgan (The Split, Suffragette) and directed by Charlotte Bruus Christensen (The Girl on the Train), is a masterclass in noir aesthetics. Filmed across atmospheric locations in Cornwall and the Isle of Skye, the show’s fog-soaked streets, amber-lit pubs, and storm-battered cliffs create a palpable sense of dread. Its visual style, reminiscent of The Killing or Broadchurch, amplifies the psychological tension, with every frame dripping with foreboding. The haunting score by Max Richter, combined with a chilling rendition of “The Foggy Dew” in the opening credits, has already inspired fan covers on TikTok, while the lighthouse—described by one X user as “a character in itself”—has become an iconic symbol of the show’s unsettling tone.
Walker, known for her raw, empathetic performances in Unforgotten and The Split, brings a quiet intensity to Ellis, a detective haunted by a past tragedy that surfaces through cryptic flashbacks. Her cool, rational demeanor clashes spectacularly with Murphy’s Doyle, whose enigmatic charm and subtle menace recall his chilling turn as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders. Murphy, fresh off his Oscar-winning role in Oppenheimer (2023), leans into Doyle’s ambiguity, keeping audiences on edge as they question his motives. Their dynamic—described by The Guardian as “a battle of wills that crackles like a live wire”—is the heart of the series, with their scenes together oscillating between distrustful banter and unexpected vulnerability. A standout moment in episode three, where Ellis confronts Doyle in his dimly lit study, has been memed endlessly on X, with fans calling it “the most intense staring contest of 2025.”
The supporting cast elevates the series further. Olivia Williams plays Dr. Margaret Hale, a forensic psychologist with ties to both Ellis and Doyle, while Jamie Sives is DI Tom Carver, Ellis’s loyal but skeptical partner. Rising star Sarah Bolger shines as Lila, a local bartender whose connection to the victims adds a personal stake to the investigation. Guest stars, including Rory Kinnear as a secretive harbormaster and Sophie Okonedo as a journalist digging into Doyle’s past, add depth to the sprawling mystery. The ensemble’s chemistry, combined with Morgan’s tightly woven script, ensures that every character feels integral, with no detail wasted—a hallmark of her work on The Hour and River.
Ashes in the Fog has struck a chord with audiences, debuting at No. 1 on Netflix’s global Top 10 with 5.2 million views and 28.6 million hours watched in its first week. Its success mirrors the fervor for Your Honor or The Undoing, but its distinctly British flavor—bleak humor, understated emotion, and a grim seaside setting—sets it apart. Fans on Reddit’s r/NetflixBestOf have praised its unpredictable twists, with one user noting, “Every episode feels like a gut punch. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, it flips.” The series’ blend of psychological depth and noir atmosphere has drawn comparisons to The Bridge, with Variety calling it “a masterfully crafted thriller that dares to ask where inspiration ends and obsession begins.”
The show’s cultural impact is undeniable. Social media is ablaze with fan theories, from speculation about Doyle’s manuscripts being supernaturally linked to the murders to debates over Ellis’s cryptic past. A viral TikTok trend, where users recreate the lighthouse’s creaking sound effects, has garnered over 3 million views, while X posts like “Nicola Walker and Cillian Murphy deserve ALL the BAFTAs” reflect the fervor. The series has also sparked tourism interest in Cornwall, with local businesses reporting a surge in visitors seeking Dunhaven-inspired locations like St. Ives and Tintagel. Netflix’s decision to film in authentic settings, rather than studio lots, has paid off, with Cornwall’s tourism board launching an Ashes in the Fog-themed walking tour.
Behind the scenes, the collaboration between Walker and Murphy was a long time coming. Walker, 55, has a storied career in British drama, from Spooks to Last Tango in Halifax, earning her two BAFTA TV Award nominations. Murphy, 49, is no stranger to complex roles, having collaborated with Christopher Nolan on six films, including Inception and Dunkirk. Their mutual respect was evident in a Netflix press junket, where Walker called Murphy “a dream to work with,” praising his ability to “shift from warm to terrifying in a heartbeat.” Murphy reciprocated, noting Walker’s “uncanny ability to make every line feel lived-in.” Their off-screen camaraderie translated into a dynamic that The Times described as “the most compelling screen pairing since Cranston and Paul in Breaking Bad.”
The series’ thematic depth adds to its allure. Beyond the central mystery, Ashes in the Fog explores the ethics of storytelling, questioning whether art can cross moral lines. Doyle’s novels, which fictionalize real crimes, raise uncomfortable parallels to true-crime media, a topic Morgan has tackled in past projects. Ellis’s struggle with her past—a hinted-at loss involving a child—mirrors Walker’s roles in Unforgotten and River, where personal grief fuels professional drive. The show’s pacing, slower than typical thrillers but punctuated by shocking reveals, keeps viewers hooked, with episode six’s cliffhanger—a body found in the lighthouse—prompting a flood of reaction videos on YouTube.
Critics have lauded Ashes in the Fog for its ambition, though some note its dense narrative demands patience. IndieWire gave it an A-, praising its “visual poetry and unrelenting tension,” while The Telegraph called it “a noir triumph that outshines Department Q in its psychological complexity.” A few detractors, like a Daily Mail reviewer, argued the show leans too heavily on atmosphere over plot, but even they admitted the performances are “undeniably magnetic.” With BAFTA and Emmy buzz already swirling, the series is poised for awards season success, particularly for Walker and Murphy’s career-defining turns.
As Netflix weighs a potential second season, fans are clamoring for more. The finale, which aired on October 30, 2025, left viewers reeling with a twist that upends the Ellis-Doyle dynamic, sparking debates on X about a possible supernatural element. While Netflix has remained tight-lipped, Morgan hinted in a RadioTimes interview that the story could continue, saying, “There’s more to explore in Dunhaven’s shadows.” The show’s budget, reportedly $40 million for eight episodes, reflects Netflix’s confidence, and its global viewership—strong in the UK, US, and Australia—suggests a renewal is likely.
Ashes in the Fog is more than a thriller; it’s a meditation on truth, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves. Walker and Murphy’s unprecedented collaboration has delivered a series that’s as haunting as it is addictive, cementing their status as titans of the screen. For fans of Baptiste or Shetland, this dark British noir offers a fresh, electrifying take on the genre, proving that when crime writes itself, the results are unforgettable.
