Taron Egerton stars in ‘Smoke’.
Premiering on Apple TV+ beginning June 27th is the new series ‘Smoke’, which is based on the popular podcast, ‘Firebug’. Created by Dennis Lehane (‘Mystic River’), the show stars Taron Egerton (‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’), Jurnee Smollett (‘Birds of Prey’), John Leguizamo (‘John Wick’), and Greg Kinnear (‘As Good as It Gets’).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Taron Egerton about his work on ‘Smoke’, the podcast it is based on, what fascinated him about the character, and working with actress Jurnee Smollett.
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Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was it about the podcast, ‘Firebug’, that made you think this would make an interesting series?
Taron Egerton: Well, I think the podcast ‘Firebug’ that you mentioned, it is such an intriguing, unnerving, and arresting story. It has this kind of central conundrum to it, which is what is going on with this guy? The real guy is called John, although my character in this is called Dave Goodson. He defies figuring out, really, and that, of course, is a hugely interesting and fertile territory to spin a drama out from. I remember when Kary (Antholis), the host of that podcast and the producer of ‘Black Bird’ and this, when he and Dennis first started discussing things, it was amazing to watch Dennis ignite his creativity over it and start spinning it off in different directions and suddenly to create these other characters, some of whom are rooted in real people, but very greatly expanded on. I think in answer to your question, he’s just such a mad, fascinating character. Why would somebody do this?
(L to R) Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.
MF: Finally, what was it like working with Jurnee Smollett and building the relationship between those two characters?
TE: A delight. Acting is always a very cyclical thing, so you give and receive energy. The best actors are the ones that are most alive to each other, I think. Jurnee does an incredible job of playing a character with tremendous weight and trauma, but also staying very available, alive and creative and bringing lightness to that in the moment. We had a time building this bizarre relationship, because it’s very complicated. On the one hand, I think, certainly in the first instance, they are intrigued and charmed by one another, and then it becomes competitive, and then it becomes very charged and adversarial. By the end of the show, it’s strange and bitter and dark. I can’t imagine anyone better or more talented to have done that with. It was great to have such a great, talented partner in Jurnee.
Editorial Note: James White conducted this interview and contributed to this article.
When an arson investigator begrudgingly teams up with a police detective, their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions. Read the Plot
What is the plot of ‘Smoke’?
A detective (Jurnee Smollett) and an arson investigator (Taron Egerton) work together to stop two serial arsonists in the Pacific Northwest.
Who is in the cast of ‘Smoke’?
Taron Egerton in ‘Smoke,’ premiering June 27, 2025 on Apple TV+.
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