NEW YORK, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge! and Ice Age Icon John Leguizamo says the disgraced detective he plays in Smoke is seeking redemption by trying to bring down the former partner who cost him his career.
Created by best-selling novelist Dennis Lehane, the show follows a law-enforcement task force, including Leguizamo's Esposito, who are determined to catch Dave (Taron Egerton), an arson investigator and prolific fire-setter.
"He got too close to the truth. He knew who the arsonist was and that's when they destroyed his career, made him the fall guy, and he hit rock bottom," Leguizamo, 65, told UPI about his character in a recent Zoom interview.
"He drinks a lot and takes a lot of pills and he becomes a porn director," the actor said. "But then he gets a chance to get back on the [police] force because he knows the truth. But he has to keep constantly proving himself and I think that's the exciting part of being in that character. I have to fluctuate. I have to fight with all these different forces against me and no one will believe me."
John Leguizamo knows how to make an entrance.#Smoke - Now Streaming pic.twitter.com/K5PRDIxApf— Apple TV (@AppleTV) July 18, 2025
