For the first time ever, two of Britain’s most electrifying acting titans, Nicola Walker and Cillian Murphy, have joined forces in a chilling 8-part British noir thriller that’s already sending shockwaves through the television landscape. Titled Ashes in the Fog, this Netflix series, set to premiere in fall 2025, promises to haunt viewers long after the credits roll. Walker stars as DCI Rowan Ellis, a tenacious detective investigating a string of eerie disappearances in a fog-soaked coastal town, only to find herself entangled in a deadly, mind-bending game with Eamon Doyle (Murphy), a reclusive crime novelist whose manuscripts seem to eerily predict—or perhaps even orchestrate—real-life murders. From misty harbor streets to a creaking, isolated lighthouse, every shadow hides a secret, every revelation cuts deeper, and every twist blurs the line between fiction and murder. Fans and industry insiders are already hailing it as “unmissable,” with suspense so electric and psychological intrigue so dark that it makes even acclaimed Nordic noir like Department Q seem tame by comparison. Here’s everything you need to know about this gripping collaboration, its powerhouse cast, and why Ashes in the Fog is poised to redefine the crime thriller genre.

A Historic Pairing: Walker and Murphy Unite

Nicola Walker, 55, and Cillian Murphy, 49, are no strangers to delivering spellbinding performances, but their first-ever on-screen collaboration is a cinematic event fans didn’t see coming. Walker, beloved for her roles as DCI Cassie Stuart in Unforgotten and Hannah Stern in The Split, brings her signature blend of emotional depth and steely resolve to Rowan Ellis. A seasoned detective called to a remote coastal town, Rowan is haunted by her own past as she unravels a case that defies logic. Walker’s ability to portray complex, relatable women makes her the perfect anchor for this murky tale, with her nuanced performance already generating early Emmy buzz.

Murphy, fresh off his Oscar-winning turn in Oppenheimer (2023) and his iconic role as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, steps into the enigmatic shoes of Eamon Doyle, a crime novelist whose chilling stories mirror the town’s vanishings with unsettling precision. Known for his intense, transformative performances, Murphy imbues Doyle with a magnetic mix of charm and menace, keeping viewers guessing whether he’s a tortured genius or a sinister mastermind. “Cillian’s ability to make you lean into every word is terrifying,” said director Sarah Gavron (Rocks, Suffragette) in a Netflix press release. “Paired with Nicola’s raw humanity, it’s a dynamic that will grip you from the first frame.”

The pairing was a passion project for both actors, who reportedly bonded over their shared love of British storytelling during a 2024 script read-through in London. “Nicola’s presence is like a lighthouse in a storm—steady, real, and powerful,” Murphy told Variety in August 2025. Walker echoed the sentiment, saying, “Cillian brings this quiet intensity that makes every scene feel like it’s teetering on the edge of something massive. It’s thrilling to work with him.” Their chemistry, described as “electric” by early screeners, sets the stage for a cat-and-mouse game that’s as psychological as it is suspenseful.

The Plot: A Mind-Bending Noir Mystery

Ashes in the Fog plunges viewers into a fog-drenched coastal town in 1940s England, where the line between reality and fiction is dangerously thin. DCI Rowan Ellis arrives to investigate a series of unexplained disappearances—locals vanishing without a trace, leaving behind only whispers of dread. As she digs deeper, Rowan uncovers a chilling pattern: each case mirrors the gruesome plots of novels by Eamon Doyle, a reclusive writer living in a crumbling lighthouse on the town’s edge. Doyle’s manuscripts, filled with eerie details, seem to predict the crimes—or worse, shape them. Forced to collaborate with the enigmatic author, Rowan finds herself drawn into a deadly game where every clue unravels her own buried secrets.

The series, written by BAFTA-nominated scribe Abi Morgan (The Split, Suffragette), weaves a tapestry of noir staples—misty harbors, shadowy pubs, and rain-slicked streets—with a modern psychological edge. “This isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a why and how,” Morgan told The Guardian. “We’re exploring how stories can manipulate reality, how trauma shapes truth.” The 1940s setting, with its wartime paranoia and moral ambiguity, amplifies the tension, as Rowan and Doyle navigate a town gripped by fear and suspicion.

Each episode, ranging from 45 to 60 minutes, builds on the last, with twists that keep viewers guessing. Early reviews praise the show’s pacing, with IndieWire noting, “Every episode feels like a knife’s edge—slow burns explode into heart-stopping revelations.” The lighthouse, a central motif, becomes a character in itself, its creaking beams and flickering light mirroring the characters’ unraveling psyches. Fans of Department Q or Your Honor will find familiar noir elements, but Ashes in the Fog stands out for its cerebral depth and the interplay between Walker and Murphy.

A Stellar Supporting Cast

Beyond its leading duo, Ashes in the Fog boasts a formidable ensemble that elevates its noir credentials. Jamie Sives (Annika, Guilt) plays DI Tom Blackwood, Rowan’s skeptical partner who questions her obsession with Doyle. Kate Dickie (The Witch, Game of Thrones) portrays Maggie Kerr, a local innkeeper with ties to the missing, whose cryptic warnings add layers of intrigue. Paul McGann (Doctor Who, Withnail and I) appears as Father Daniel, a priest whose sermons hint at the town’s dark underbelly. Newcomer Orla Hill, as a teenage girl who claims to have seen one of the vanished, brings fresh energy to the cast, her raw performance earning early praise.

The supporting players add texture to the story, with each character harboring secrets that intertwine with the central mystery. Sives’ grounded cop contrasts with Murphy’s ethereal novelist, while Dickie’s haunted innkeeper serves as a bridge between the town’s past and present. “The ensemble is like a chessboard,” Gavron said. “Every piece moves the game forward, and no one is who they seem.” This depth ensures Ashes in the Fog isn’t just a two-hander but a rich tapestry of suspicion and betrayal.

The Creative Vision: A Noir Masterpiece in the Making

Directed by Sarah Gavron and produced by Netflix in collaboration with BBC Studios, Ashes in the Fog blends cinematic visuals with intimate storytelling. Gavron, known for her character-driven films, crafts a moody aesthetic—think fog-choked docks and shadowy interiors lit by flickering lamps—that pays homage to classic noir while feeling distinctly modern. Cinematographer Laurie Rose (Kill List, Free Fire) enhances the atmosphere, using muted greens and grays to evoke a world where truth is obscured.

Abi Morgan’s script is the backbone, weaving themes of memory, guilt, and authorship. “We’re asking what it means to write your own reality,” Morgan said. “Rowan and Eamon are two sides of that coin—one seeking truth, the other creating it.” The series’ 1940s setting, inspired by real unsolved cases, adds historical weight, with wartime rationing and air-raid sirens amplifying the sense of dread. Composer Max Richter (The Leftovers, Ad Astra) provides a haunting score, blending piano and strings to underscore the emotional stakes.

Production took place in 2024 across coastal England, with Whitby and Cornwall standing in for the fictional town. The lighthouse, a real location in Dorset, became a focal point, its isolation mirroring the characters’ psychological states. “We wanted every frame to feel like you’re stepping into a painting—one that’s beautiful but unsettling,” Gavron told Empire. The attention to detail, from period costumes to weathered set pieces, immerses viewers in a world where secrets lurk around every corner.

Why It’s Unmissable: Fan and Critic Buzz

Even before its premiere, Ashes in the Fog has generated feverish excitement. Social media platforms like X are ablaze with anticipation, with fans posting, “Nicola Walker and Cillian Murphy in a noir thriller? Take my money now!” and “This sounds darker than Peaky Blinders and creepier than Unforgotten—I’m obsessed already.” The hashtag #AshesInTheFog trended in the UK after Netflix dropped a teaser image in July 2025, showing Walker and Murphy silhouetted against a foggy lighthouse.

Critics who’ve seen early episodes call it a game-changer. Variety hailed it as “a masterclass in suspense, with Walker and Murphy delivering career-best performances.” The Hollywood Reporter praised its “relentless tension and psychological depth,” noting that “it makes Department Q feel like a warm-up act.” Industry insiders are tipping the series for BAFTA and Emmy recognition, with Walker and Murphy as frontrunners for acting awards. The show’s blend of noir aesthetics, intricate plotting, and emotional resonance positions it as a standout in a crowded genre.

The Cultural Impact: Redefining British Noir

Ashes in the Fog arrives at a time when British television is thriving, with shows like The Split and Peaky Blinders showcasing the nation’s storytelling prowess. Yet, this series pushes boundaries by merging classic noir—think The Third Man—with modern psychological twists akin to The Undoing or Your Honor. Its exploration of how stories shape reality feels timely in an era of misinformation and fractured truths. “We’re living in a world where narratives can be weaponized,” Morgan said. “This show asks what happens when fiction becomes fact.”

The collaboration between Walker and Murphy also marks a milestone for gender dynamics in crime dramas. Rowan isn’t just a detective; she’s a woman confronting her own trauma while challenging a male-dominated system. Doyle, meanwhile, subverts the “tortured artist” trope, with Murphy’s performance hinting at deeper motivations. Their interplay—equal parts adversarial and intimate—offers a fresh take on the cat-and-mouse dynamic, appealing to fans of cerebral thrillers like The Fall or Killing Eve.

What to Expect: Twists, Turns, and Haunting Questions

Without spoiling the plot, early reports suggest Ashes in the Fog will keep viewers guessing until the final frame. The series promises at least three major twists, with one episode reportedly ending on a cliffhanger that “will leave you screaming at your screen,” per a test audience member. Will Doyle’s manuscripts reveal a supernatural element, or is he a master manipulator? How will Rowan’s past—hinted to involve a personal loss—intersect with the case? And what role does the lighthouse play in the town’s secrets?

The show’s eight episodes, each titled after a literary term (“Prologue,” “Climax,” “Epilogue”), suggest a meta-narrative that plays with storytelling conventions. Expect betrayals, hidden alliances, and a finale that could set up a second season, though Netflix has yet to confirm a renewal. The coastal setting, with its crashing waves and desolate cliffs, amplifies the stakes, making every scene feel like a descent into the unknown.

A Must-Watch for Thriller Fans

Ashes in the Fog is more than a crime drama—it’s a psychological labyrinth that showcases Nicola Walker and Cillian Murphy at the peak of their powers. With its haunting visuals, intricate script, and a cast that breathes life into every shadow, the series is poised to redefine British noir. As fans count down to its fall 2025 debut, the buzz is clear: this is one thriller you won’t want to miss. Prepare to lose yourself in the fog—because once you start watching, there’s no turning back.