Apple TV launches crime thriller Nocturne starring Liev Schreiber and Stephen Graham

Apple TV premiered its new psychological crime thriller series Nocturne on October 30, 2026. The series stars Liev Schreiber as retired detective Jonah Lynn and Stephen Graham as serial killer Jurek Walter. According to Variety TV and The Hollywood Reporter, the plot centers on a former detective brought back to confront a convicted murderer who manipulates others from a psychiatric hospital. Zazie Beetz also stars in the production. [1][3][4][9]

Created by Rowan Joffé, the series follows the investigation into Walter, a sociopath accused of taking more than a half dozen lives and kidnapping two siblings. Decider and The Hollywood Reporter both report that Walter is confined to the Restricted Housing Unit at Riverside Psychiatric Hospital, where he uses persuasion to manipulate hospital staff and send orders to outsiders. [1][3][4][9]

The television show was developed by showrunner John Hlavin. It is based on The Sandman and Lazarus, two novels from the ten-book Joona Linna series written under the pen name Lars Kepler by husband-and-wife authors Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril. The adaptation sets the story in a small Pennsylvania town. [1][3][9]

Graham discussed his character prep and the dynamics of playing the serial killer, alongside co-star Rory Culkin. Decider and TV Insider reported that Graham praised Culkin and explained the character's manipulative methods and ambiguous relationships within the show's story. [1][2]