Smoke (TV Series): 9 Episodes, Cast, Reviews & Season 2

Apple TV+’s Smoke dramatizes the psychology of a real serial arsonist, but nine episodes is a big time commitment—so is it worth the binge? This guide cuts through the buzz to give you the episode count, season 2 odds, critical temperature, and the real-life arsonist case that inspired it.

Total episodes: 9 · Release date: June 27, 2025 · Streaming platform: Apple TV+ · Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%

Here’s a quick reference for the series’ key specs.

How many episodes are in Smoke?

Smoke season 1 consists of 9 episodes, according to IMDb and confirmed by Rotten Tomatoes. The first two episodes premiered simultaneously on June 27, 2025, and the remaining seven rolled out weekly every Friday, as reported by IMDb News.

Episode lengths vary from 42 to 65 minutes, per Wikipedia. That’s a total runtime of roughly 8–9 hours for the full season — a solid weekend commitment.

For viewers who need a clear verdict, that bottom-line assessment sums it up.

Is Smoke based on a true story?

Yes — the series is inspired by the real crimes of John Leonard Orr, a former fire captain and convicted serial arsonist. The creative DNA comes from the Firebug podcast, which investigated Orr’s case. Wikipedia notes that Smoke was originally titled Firebug before its rebrand. However, the characters and plot are fictionalized — the show uses the arsonist profile as a springboard, not a documentary template.

Who is John Leonard Orr?

Orr was a California fire captain who set over 2,000 fires between 1984 and 1991. He was convicted in 1992 and sentenced to life in prison. Smoke draws on his psychology — the thrill of lighting fires while leading investigations — but builds its own story around an arson investigator and a detective. The Apple TV press page describes the series as a “slow-burn thriller,” signaling a fictional interpretation rather than a biopic.

The fictional approach allows creative freedom but sacrifices documentary accuracy.

Is Smoke worth watching?

Critical reception is mixed but leaning favorable. On Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 holds a 73% approval rating from 56 critic reviews. Wikipedia aggregates a Metacritic score of 60 out of 100 from 19 critics, classified as “generally favorable.” A Rotten Tomatoes editor writes that “at nine episodes ‘Smoke’ feels a bit padded,” suggesting the pace may drag for some viewers.

Reddit reactions, like this one from r/television, vary: some praise Taron Egerton’s performance, others fault the slow burn as too slow.

Pros and cons of Smoke

The pattern: critics agree the ambition is there, but execution suffers from a stretched runtime. For fans of slow-burn thrillers, it may land; for those wanting tight plotting, it might frustrate.

Is there a season 2 for Smoke?

As of this writing, Apple TV+ has not renewed Smoke for a second season. The Apple TV Press page lists only season 1 materials, and no renewal press release has appeared. IMDb shows the series with a 2025– date span, hinting it may be open-ended, but that metadata is often speculative until official confirmation.

The series was originally titled Firebug and may have been conceived as a limited series. Without renewal, it’s most accurate to treat Smoke as a one-season standalone for now. For similar Apple TV+ cancellation outcomes, see Cruel Intentions Season 2 Canceled – What Happened.

That lack of renewal makes the one-season status the most reliable reading for now.

Where to watch Smoke TV series?

Smoke is exclusively available on Apple TV+. You can stream all 9 episodes with a subscription. The Apple TV show page confirms it’s available in 4K HDR where supported, and episodes can be downloaded for offline viewing.

Is Smoke on Netflix?

No. Smoke is an Apple Original, so it will not appear on Netflix or any other service unless Apple licenses it later — which is rare for its flagship originals.

Is Smoke on Apple TV+?

Yes — it’s a core Apple TV+ title. You need an active subscription (currently $9.99/month in the US). A 7-day free trial is available for new subscribers.

With that combination, Apple TV+ subscribers have a solid crime-drama lineup.

Confirmed facts vs open questions

The balance tilts toward confirmed facts, but several key questions remain open for now.

Critical and viewer reactions

“At nine episodes ‘Smoke’ feels a bit padded.”

— Rotten Tomatoes editors (critic consensus)

“Egerton carries the show, but the story drags in the middle. If you’re patient, the payoff in episode 8 is worth it.”

— Reddit user on r/television

The implication: critics and viewers agree on the performances, but the pacing divides opinion. Smoke rewards patience but risks losing those who want a faster burn.

For Apple TV+ subscribers deciding whether to start Smoke, the trade-off is clear: strong acting and a compelling real-life foundation versus a runtime that overstays its welcome for some. If you’re in the mood for a moody, psychological crime drama and can spare two evenings, it’s worth a try. But with no season 2 in sight, temper expectations for a continuing saga. For viewers who prefer tight, fast-paced thrillers, this may be one to skip — or at least wait until the community verdict settles.

For a complete breakdown of the cast, episodes, and where to watch, readers can refer to our comprehensive guide to the Smoke series.

Frequently asked questions