'Memory of a Killer' has brought heartthrob Patrick Dempsey in a brand new light. Here's everything you need to know about the twisted tale of the hitman.
Remember 'Derek Shepherd' from our favourite medical drama, Grey's Anatomy? Well, he is back, and the heartthrob is anything but the sunshine neurosurgeon we fell in love with. In the series premiere of FOX's Memory of a Killer, Patrick Dempsey isn't saving lives; but he's ending them, at least when he can remember where he put his car keys. Yes, for Grey's Anatomy fans, this is much like an alternate universe, with Patrick not only ending lives but also being a widower and having early-onset Alzheimer, talk about irony.
The pilot episode, which debuted on January 25, 2026 (ET), has managed to bridge the gap between a cosy family drama and a gritty NYC noir, and the results are as messy as a close-quarters hit. Based on the 2003 Belgian film, De Zaak Alzheimer, the series is bringing Patrick Dempsey back in a brand-new light. So, as the messy drama has our attention back on the actor, let us take a look at whether it's worth watching. Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Memory of a Killer begins with 'Angelo Doyle' (Patrick Dempsey) playing the ultimate "Girl Dad." 'Angelo' is a widower living in upstate Cooperstown, spending his days as a seemingly bland photocopier salesman. His evenings are occupied with hovering over his pregnant daughter, 'Maria' (Odeya Rush). There is some classic "she can do better" friction with his son-in-law, 'Jeff' (Daniel David Stewart), but 'Angelo' plays the buttoned-up suburbanite to perfection.
However, there is a twist that no one knows. Once 'Angelo Doyle' has dropped off his daughter, 'Maria', at her job as a school teacher, the salesman disappears. Yes! Once the school bus is out of sight, 'Angelo' heads into the city for his real 9-to-5 job as a professional assassin.
The show's first major action set piece is a breath of fresh air. However, 'Angelo' isn't a John Wick superhero; he's an ageing man in a dangerous profession. While the fight sequence is refreshingly messy, 'Angelo' takes some serious hits. Nonetheless, it's a nice touch of realism; if an older guy gets into a scrap, he should probably look like he's been in a scrap. During the missior we also get to meet some of the supporting cast of the underworld, including 'Joe' (Richard Harmon).
'Joe' is the nephew of 'Angelo's' longtime handler and friend, 'Dutch' (Michael Imperioli). He is the gatekeeper of the contracts, though the actual "Big Bads" paying the bills remain a mystery. What's even more interesting is that we learn 'Angelo' has a brother in a memory care facility. It is a secret he keeps tucked away, along with the fact that he has a family at all. In 'Angelo's' world, loved ones are liabilities, and he's kept 'Dutch' in the dark for decades to keep his daughter, 'Maria', safe. However, will he be able to keep them away from danger for long?
The pilot's tension becomes evident when 'Angelo's' internal "hard drive" starts to fail. The hitman is faced with several of the early-onset Alzheimer's symptoms, and that at the worst time possible, as he discovers he's being followed. Things further get complicated as there is a hit out on the hitman. When 'Dutch' warns him to stay away from a high-level target named 'Moiser', threatening that 'Angelo' "will have a problem" with him if he goes rogue, 'Angelo' naturally heads straight for the person causing him trouble.
What follows is the classic Patrick Dempsey charm sequence as he seduces a bartender for intel on 'Moiser'. It's all very suave until the next morning, which unspirisingly brings more complications for 'Angelo'. In a chilling moment of cognitive decline, she goes to the fridge for a drink and finds 'Angelo's' gun sitting right next to the milk. The bartender bolts, and we're left with the realisation that 'Angelo' isn't just a danger to his targets; he's also a danger to himself.
Memory of a Killer Episode 1 alone brings a brutal climax as a reminder of who 'Angelo' actually is. He catches up with 'Moiser' and takes him out with a cold-blooded efficiency that stands in jarring contrast to the scene that follows: 'Angelo' sitting in an OBGYN office with 'Maria', smiling at an ultrasound of his first grandchild. The episode ends with two major season hooks.
The final moments introduce a local cop, 'Dave' (Peter Gadiot), who seems to have a "more than friends" vibe with 'Maria'. 'Dave' informs 'Angelo' that the drunk driver who killed his wife is being released from prison. Another jarring scene shows the mysterious hitman hunting 'Angelo', finally closing in.
Memory of a Killer pilot is a fantastic start to the season; it's violent and emotional in equal measures. Watching 'Angelo' lose his mind while trying to settle his old debts is a ticking clock that feels much more urgent than your standard police procedural. The second episode of the show will be released on January 26, 2026, followed by weekly release till late March 2026.
What are your thoughts on Memory of a Killer? Let us know.
Next Read: Is 'The Millwood Murders' Based On Real Events? The Truth Behind The Gut-Wrenching Story Of Shenae