Anarchists, Flip Phones and Bootcut Jeans Capture a Post-9/11 NYC in ‘City on Fire’

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Based on Garth Risk Hallberg’s epic 944-page bestselling novel City on Fire, this captivating new series tells the intricate tale of a shooting in Central Park, and how the victim, a young NYU student, connects a string of mysterious fires, the downtown punk scene and a wealthy real estate family with a lot of secrets around the turn of the century.

“We were interested in a post-9/11, pre-Occupy Wall Street New York,” said cocreator Josh Schwartz, of its unique 2003 setting, which was a fun blast to the past, full of flip phones and bootcut jeans galore.

Starring Jemima Kirke, Chase Sui Wonders and Wyatt Oleff, this eight-episode high-stakes drama recycles some overly portrayed New York City tropes but remains compelling nonetheless.

Newcomer Max Milner from The Voice UK is particularly impressive and well cast, while Jemima Kirke portrays a young mother tormented by her past (and present) with complexity and finesse.

City on Fire premieres Friday, May 12, on Apple TV+.

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