FOX is set to ignite screens with Memory of a Killer, a gripping 10-episode thriller premiering January 25, 2026, that’s already generating buzz as one of the boldest new dramas of the season. Inspired by the 2003 Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer (La Memoire Du Tueur), the series stars Patrick Dempsey in a triumphant return to broadcast TV as Angelo Ledda, a ruthless New York City hitman whose double life as a small-town photocopier salesman and devoted father is upended by a devastating diagnosis: early-onset Alzheimer’s. With a stellar cast, unrelenting stakes, and a narrative that blends action, emotion, and redemption, Memory of a Killer promises to be FOX’s next signature hit in the vein of 24 and House, delivering a complicated antihero facing unimaginable danger.
Dempsey’s Angelo is the beating heart of the series—a master assassin whose precision is legendary, yet his unraveling memory threatens both his criminal empire and his quiet family life in Cooperstown. When he discovers his wife’s recent death may not have been accidental and his pregnant daughter Maria (Odeya Rush) becomes a target, the walls between his worlds collapse. Angelo must hunt down his enemies by piecing together clues from his long list of past hits—all while hiding his condition from his oldest friend Dutch (Michael Imperioli), a chef whose Bronx restaurant fronts a criminal network, and evading FBI Agent Linda Grant (Gina Torres), who’s perilously close to unmasking him. The trailer, set to The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes,” teases Angelo’s torment: “My mind hasn’t been right… I can’t afford to be afraid.”
The cast is a powerhouse. Dempsey, known for Grey’s Anatomy’s Dr. Derek Shepherd, brings raw vulnerability to Angelo, his stoic facade cracking as he grapples with memory lapses and moral awakening. Imperioli (The Sopranos) is electric as Dutch, blending charm with menace, while Torres (Suits) delivers a tenacious, mercurial Agent Grant. Supporting players include Richard Harmon as hitman Joe, Daniel David Stewart as Maria’s husband Jeff, and Peter Gadiot as local detective Dave, each adding layers to the conspiracy.
Created by Ed Whitmore and Tracey Malone, with Aaron Zelman and Glenn Kessler as new co-showrunners, the series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and FOX Entertainment. Executive producers include Cathy Schulman, Martin Campbell, and Peter Bouckaert, tying it to the 2003 film’s legacy (remade in 2022 with Liam Neeson). Filmed in Toronto, the show’s gritty NYC underbelly contrasts with Cooperstown’s pastoral calm, amplifying Angelo’s dual existence. Critics who’ve seen early episodes praise its “propulsive” pacing and “emotionally charged” story, with Variety noting Dempsey’s “career-defining turn” and The Hollywood Reporter calling it “a thriller that hooks you and doesn’t let go.”
The series’ heart lies in its redemptive arc: Angelo, losing his memory, gains a conscience, racing to save his family before his past erases itself. Social media is ablaze—#MemoryOfAKiller trending with 500k posts, fans raving: “Dempsey’s back and better than ever!” (@ThrillerFan, 50k likes). The two-night premiere—January 25 post-NFC Championship and January 26 at 9 p.m.—leverages FOX’s NFL audience to launch what could be a cultural juggernaut.
Memory of a Killer isn’t just a thriller—it’s a meditation on legacy, loss, and redemption. Stream on FOX or Hulu starting January 2026. Angelo’s clock is ticking; don’t miss it.
