Apple TV Premieres 'Nocturne' Murder Mystery Set in Western Pennsylvania
The ten-episode series, starring Stephen Graham and Liev Schreiber, begins airing Friday after filming in its actual location.
By Layla Fontaine ·
Apple TV begins streaming the ten-episode series Nocturne on Friday. The production is a murder mystery set in Fairhaven, a small town in western Pennsylvania. The show was filmed on location in that specific region rather than in a stand-in area of Canada or Georgia.
Stephen Graham leads the cast as Jurek Walter, a serial killer held in solitary confinement. He resides in a concrete cell in the basement of a psychiatric hospital. The character retains the ability to influence events despite his secure isolation. Liev Schreiber plays Jonah Lynn, an ex-Army Ranger and former detective who lived in Fairhaven. Lynn’s wife and child died in a car accident, leaving him revered and pitied by the local community.
Zazie Beetz portrays Saga Bauer, an undercover FBI agent and Jonah’s goddaughter. Her father, who was Jonah’s former partner, died by suicide after his wife disappeared. The supporting cast includes Bill Camp, Poorna Jagannathan, Chrissy Metz, and Gary Carr. Camp plays police chief Dave Ellison, while Jagannathan appears as special agent Alexandra Quinn.
The plot initiates when Walter communicates with a man in a neighboring cell through shared plumbing. He persuades that man to knock his head against a wall. This act establishes Walter’s mental control and lack of sympathy. Subsequently, Michael Frost, a boy abducted three years prior and presumed dead, reappears in poor condition. This event triggers a search for his sister, Felicia.
Jonah believes Walter is behind the abduction despite an alibi. He maintains a wall of clips and photos related to the case. Police chief Dave Ellison notes that the case broke Jonah. Jonah resumes his investigation in an unofficial capacity. Most townspeople agree this arrangement is acceptable, though agent Quinn finds Jonah annoying until he proves helpful. Quinn is unimpressed by his ability to identify specific local materials found on the victim.
Saga visits Jonah and joins the investigation. She goes undercover at the hospital to stay near Walter. The hospital staff includes Karl, an empathetic orderly played by Rory Culkin. Karl is promoted to deliver Walter’s food and medication. The basement scenes often lean toward melodrama, serving as the horror element of the series. Above ground, the story focuses on daily interactions and the police chief’s grounded presence.
Book reviewers have noted similarities between Graham’s performance and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. There are also moments that evoke Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now. Walter is expected to attempt an escape given the series length. Seven episodes were made available for review prior to the premiere. The series carries a TV-MA rating and received a B grade from the Tribune News Service.
