Nocturne is a 2026 crime thriller series from Apple TV. It stars Liev Schreiber as Jonah Lynn, an ex-soldier turned homicide detective. When a serial killer threatens his town and family, Jonah faces a case that reaches beyond his quiet new life.
What Is Nocturne?
Created for television by Rowan Joffé and developed by John Hlavin, Nocturne is a ten-episode crime drama. Moreover, the series draws on Lars Kepler’s bestselling novels The Sandman and Lazarus. It combines a police investigation with psychological tension and family drama. At the same time, the story explores the personal struggles and emotional conflicts behind the criminal case. Jonah must protect those close to him while confronting a killer who manipulates fear.
Nocturne Story and Plot
Jonah Lynn once served as a soldier before working as a homicide detective in Philadelphia. However, years of handling difficult cases leave him tired of city life. As a result, he moves to a small town in western Pennsylvania in search of a quieter life and a fresh start. However, danger follows him. The town and Jonah’s family come under threat from Jurek Walter, a calculating serial killer.
When one of Jurek’s victims unexpectedly turns up alive, the case takes a new direction. Jonah races against time to find the one person who remains missing. Meanwhile, he works with Saga Bauer, his protégé and an FBI agent, to uncover the truth. Saga goes undercover to get answers from Jurek. However, as the investigation becomes more dangerous, Jonah faces difficult choices. Ultimately, he must decide how far he is willing to go to protect his family and find the missing person.
Nocturne Cast and Characters
Liev Schreiber leads the cast as Jonah Lynn. Meanwhile, Zazie Beetz plays Saga Bauer, the FBI agent who goes undercover to investigate the case. In addition, Stephen Graham portrays Jurek Walter, the serial killer at the center of the investigation. Together, these characters drive the series’ central conflict and build its suspense.
The supporting cast also features Bill Camp as Dave Ellison and Rory Culkin as Karl Anders. Additionally, Chrissy Metz plays Ida Frost, while Gary Carr portrays Nathan Pollock. Meanwhile, Landon Valentin appears as Michael Frost, adding another character to the series’ ensemble cast. Poorna Jagannathan also appears. Together, the cast brings the detective story and its family conflicts to life.
Release Date and Episode Details
Nocturne Series premiered globally on Apple TV on October 30, 2026. The first two episodes arrived on launch day, followed by a new episode each Friday through December 25. Season one contains ten episodes. The series comes from the United States, and English is its original language. Apple TV classifies it as a crime thriller and rates it TV-MA.
Source Material and Main Highlights
The series takes inspiration from Lars Kepler’s crime novels The Sandman and Lazarus. These books provide its crime-world foundation. Meanwhile, the television adaptation centers on Jonah and Saga’s investigation. Its main themes include obsession, trust, family protection, and the effects of violent crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nocturne about?
It follows detective Jonah Lynn as he investigates a case linked to serial killer Jurek Walter.
Who created Nocturne?
Rowan Joffé created it for television.
Who plays Jonah Lynn?
Liev Schreiber plays Jonah.
How many episodes are there?
Season one has ten episodes.
Where can viewers watch it?
The series streams on Apple TV.
Final Thoughts
Nocturne combines a serial-killer investigation with family drama, led by Schreiber, Beetz, and Graham.