On the surface, Smoke follows the familiar contours of a crime drama: a brooding pair of detectives—played by Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett—track a pair of elusive criminals. But the series sets itself apart with its focus on arson, a rarely explored corner of the criminal world. Fire may be cinematic—spectacular, destructive—but the arsonists in Smoke are not the masterminds of heist thrillers or cartel sagas. They’re loners, obsessives, and often driven by opaque compulsions. The series leans into this contrast, unraveling the psychology of fire-starters. It’s inspired by a true story. —Elena Clavarino