Apple TV+’s new crime drama,Smoke, boasts a strong cast of established actors that bring the series' arson investigation to life in convincing ways. The upcomingApple TV+ original seriesfollowsDave Gudsen, an arson investigator, who teams up with Detective Michelle Calderonto uncover the identity of two serial arsonists on the West Coast. However, as the story unfolds and more is uncovered about their unknown suspects, the seemingly straightforward events take some unexpected turns. This is to be expected from creator Dennis Lehane, best known for his 2023true crime miniseriesBlack Bird.
The show is also inspired by true crime podcastFirebug, looking at the arsonist crimes of John Leonard Orr. This is seemingly going to be reflected in Dave’s struggles outside of work and how Michelle became involved in the search for the arsonists. Their investigation also involves a whole host of characters important to what they’re doing, including fellow law enforcement and potential suspects. With a twisted web of stories in theTV crime drama, a strong cast is required to perfect the series' core events.
Taron Egerton as Dave Gudsen
Date Of Birth: July 20, 2025
Actor:Taron Egerton was born in Birkenhead, England.He gained international recognition for portraying Eggsy inKingsman: The Secret Serviceand returning inKingsman: The Golden Circle. He’s won multiple awards for his work as well, including a Golden Globe for his performance in 2020’sRocketmanand a BAFTA Cymru for the 2023 true crime miniseriesBlack Bird.
Black Bird
Jimmy Keene
Character:Egerton portrays Dave Gudsen, an arson investigator tasked with finding two serial arsonists operating at the same time in the Pacific Northwest. However, despite his focus on the investigation, it’s hinted that he has some dark secrets of his own that will be revealed as the show plays out.
Jurnee Smollett as Detective Michelle Calderon
Date Of Birth: June 21, 2025
Actor:Jurnee Smollett is an American actor born in New York City.She’s been performing onscreen since she was a child, having roles in ’90s sitcoms likeFull House. She’s since expanded into more serious drama roles, such as playing Nicole Wright inTrue Bloodand Black Canary inBird of Prey. She was nominated for an Emmy for her role in 2020’sLovecraft Country, and has most recently starred in thecrime thriller movieThe Order.
Lovecraft Country
Letitia “Leti” Lewis
Character:Smollett plays Detective Michelle Calderon, an investigator assigned to help Dave catch the show’s serial arsonists. Tough and no-nonsense, she’s willing to consider every possible angle to the pair’s ongoing search for their suspects.
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Freddy Fasano
Date Of Birth: 1967
Actor:Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine is an American-Ugandan actor born in Hanover, New Hampshire who began his career with smaller TV parts before getting larger roles as time went on.This includes Usutu inHeroesand Ronnie Davis inThe Chi,as well as Detective Raymond Griggs inThe Lincoln Lawyer. He’s also starred in a number of movies, his latest beingTazmanian Devil, and is a playwright, photographer, and documentarian.
The Lincoln Lawyer
Detective Raymond Griggs
Character:Mwine plays Freddy Fasano, a fast food worker who is tired of his circular lifestyle and is looking for something more. The way he finds it, though, leads him to become wrapped up in the larger narrative of the show.
Hannah Emily Anderson as Ashley Gudsen
Date Of Birth: June 21, 2025
Actor:Hannah Emily Anderson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and got her start in small TV roles, such asThe L.A. ComplexandReign.She went on to star in horror movies likeJigsawandDark Nature, alongside the TV adaptation ofThe Purge. She’s also set to star as Maria in theupcomingReturn to Silent Hillmoviein 2026.
Return to Silent Hill
Maria
Character:Anderson portrays Dave’s wife, Ashley Gudsen, who is supportive of his endeavors in his investigation. However, there is some unspoken tension between them as well, seemingly having to do with the case.
John Leguizamo as Esposito
Date Of Birth: Jul 07, 2025 or June 13, 2025
Actor:John Leguizamo was born in Bogotá, Colombia, gaining recognition in 1993 for his roles inSuper Mario Bros.andCarlito’s Way.He won an Emmy for his performance inFreak, a TV special version of his Broadway show of the same name. He went on to win Emmys for miniseriesWacoandWhen They See Us. He’s also well-known for voicing Sid inIce Age, and will reprise the role inIce Age 6.
Waco
Jacob Vazquez
Character:Not much is known about Leguizamo’s character, Esposito, but he appears to be an ex-cop with ties to Egerton’s Dave. More about how he factors into the investigation will be revealed in the series itself.
Rafe Spall as Steven Burke
Date Of Birth: Aug 15, 2025
Actor:Rafe Spall was born in London, England, having roles inEdgar Wright’sCornettotrilogy. He also starred as Yann Martel inLife of Pi, and has continued to tackle various movie and TV roles since. He currently stars as Jason Rossin Apple TV+’s ongoing British comedy seriesTrying.
Trying
Jason Ross
Character:Spall portrays Steven Burke, a detective having a secretive affair with Smollett’s Michelle. He doesn’t know what boundaries he should stay behind in their relationship, but seemingly can’t stay away from her for very long.
Greg Kinnear as Harvey Englehart
Date Of Birth: July 16, 2025
Actor:Greg Kinnear is an American actor born in Logansport, Indiana, best known for his supporting role as Simon Bishop in 1997’sAs Good as It Gets. In terms of TV roles, his most recent major portrayals include Terry Phelps in the horror comedy showShining Vale, and,much like Egerton, a starring role in Lehane’sBlack Birdminiseries.
Brian Miller
Character:Kinnear plays Harvey Englehart, a hardened police chief in charge of checking in on Dave and Michelle’s case. His demand for answers is core to his character, as he slowly unravels the truth behind the arson attacks happening in the area.
Smoke Supporting Cast & Characters
Adina Porter as Brenda Cephus:Born in New York, Porter began acting in 1988, becoming best-known for her role as Lettie Mae Thornton inTrue Blood.She’s portrayed multiple roles in various seasons ofAmerican Horror Story, while some of her more recent roles include miniseries likeThe ChangelingandThe Power.
Dakota Daulby as Lee:Daulby was born in Vancouver, starting his career in 2010 and becoming known for his roles inFalling SkiesandiZombie. His biggest parts in recent years have been asAgent Horatio Fisk inLonglegsand Salamon inShōgun.
Michael Buie as Gerard:Buie was born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. While he’s been acting since 1994, his most well-known roles are as Bret Baier in the 2019 movieBombshellandPaul Dawson inGrey’s Anatomy.
Anna Chlumsky as TBA:Born in Chicago, Illinois, Chlumsky has earned six Emmy nominations for playing Amy Brookheimer inVeep. She had a main role in the 2025 action comedy movieBride Hardandstarred in the 2022 Netflix miniseriesInventing Anna.
