Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 31, 2025 · Entertainment

Emma Thompson Unveils Bold New Look in Thrilling Murder Mystery Series

Emma Thompson was spotted debuting a very different look in the first images from an upcoming murder mystery series that sees her play a private detective with a spiky pixie cut

Drama Unfolds: Emma Thompson's Shocker in Apple TV Plus Thriller, While JK Rowling Fires Back with Scathing Critique

The cat is out of the bag, folks! Beloved actress Emma Thompson, known for her iconic roles in Harry Potter and Sense and Sensibility, has traded in her poised demeanor for a gritty private detective persona in the new Apple TV Plus thriller, Down Cemetery Road. The 66-year-old London-born star will be playing Zoe Boehm, a no-nonsense sleuth with a striking silver pixie cut and an even more striking attitude.

But that's not all - Thompson is also about to find herself at the center of a very public feud with none other than JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series. The two former colleagues have had differing views on various issues in the past, but this latest development takes the cake. It seems Thompson has been making waves with her comments on sex work and its relationship to human health and wellbeing.

In the first images from the show, Thompson is seen with a striking silver jagged pixie cut, which only forms part of her rough-around-the-edges look

In a recent live Q&A at a screening of her 2022 film Good Luck to You, Thompson suggested that sex should be recommended by the NHS as it's essential for our overall health and wellbeing. She even went so far as to admit that some of her friends hire escorts for this purpose. The comments have left many in the industry reeling, including Rowling, who has taken to social media to express her utter disdain.

In a scathing online post on X (formerly Twitter), Rowling fired back at Thompson's views, saying: "Yes, funny how you never hear, 'we're so delighted - Tatiana got straight As, so now she's trying to choose between law, medicine and prostitution! It's her decision, of course, so we're trying not to influence her, but Nigel and I both think she'd make a MARVELLOUS sex worker."

But that's not all - Rowling took it up a notch by implying that Thompson's comments were those of a privileged individual who doesn't truly understand the struggles faced by sex workers. "I'm going out on a limb here, but I suspect most sex workers didn't have the life choices available to a Cambridge-educated actress raised in Hampstead," she wrote.

The London-born actress will play Zoe Boehm in the new Apple TV Plus thriller Down Cemetery Road

When one user called her out for looking down on sex workers, Rowling retorted: "When did you last meet someone who was trafficked into accountancy? In your experience, do an unusually high number of addicts and abuse survivors tend to become plumbers? Does the average quantity surveyor face a significantly elevated risk of early death because of his job?"

It's clear that Rowling is not here for Thompson's views on sex work, and it seems like the gloves are off. But what does this mean for their past working relationship? We know they've had differing opinions in the past, with Rowling being a prominent advocate for gender-critical views while Thompson signed an open letter in support of trans rights in Scotland back in 2019.

Now, with Down Cemetery Road set to launch on Apple TV Plus on October 29, it's clear that this thriller is going to be more than just a gripping whodunit. It's also going to be a platform for Thompson to showcase her acting chops and maybe even stir up some more controversy along the way.

The moody detective wears her flowing leather jacket with the collar firmly upwards

Based on the synopsis, Down Cemetery Road promises to be an eight-part series filled with twists and turns as local resident Sarah Tucker, played by Ruth Wilson, teams up with private investigator Zoe Boehm (Thompson) to solve a complex conspiracy that reveals long-buried secrets. With weekly episodes and a two-part first drop, it's clear that this show is going to be one wild ride.

But amidst all the drama surrounding Thompson's new role, we can't help but wonder: what does this mean for their past working relationship? And will JK Rowling's scathing critique have any impact on the show's reception?

Stay tuned, folks - with Down Cemetery Road just around the corner, it's clear that things are about to get very interesting indeed. Will Thompson's new role be a hit or a miss? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: this actress is not afraid to speak her mind and stir up some controversy along the way.

Sources:

  • TheScholarlyNote.com
  • Down Cemetery Road, Apple TV Plus