Patrick Dempsey is officially saying goodbye to his scalpel, stethoscope, and the famous "McDreamy" image. He is leaving behind the charming heart-throb doctor days in his white lab coat. Now he is picking up a gun, adopting a new accent, and carrying heavy emotional baggage.
Dempsey's Dark Turn: What 'Memory of a Killer' Is About
With 'Memory of a Killer', Dempsey makes a surprising return. This time, he plays Angelo Ledda, a notorious hitman. Angelo tries to keep his dangerous double life hidden while facing early-onset Alzheimer's. The first trailer just released, and people are already buzzing about it. The series will land on January 25–26, 2026.
If you expect Dempsey to play another gentle hero, think again. As Angelo, he lives two lives. He works as a deadly contract killer in New York. He also acts as a regular dad and husband in upstate Cooperstown. At least, that is the illusion he maintains. Everything starts to fall apart when he receives a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's. Suddenly, he fights to hold onto his memories, his family, and the secrets that could destroy them all.
The show comes from creators Ed Whitmore and Tracey Malone. It offers a fresh take on the Belgian film 'De Zaak Alzheimer', known in English as 'The Alzheimer Case'. That original film won awards back in 2003.
The Trailer Sets the Tone
The trailer wastes no time. One minute, Angelo carries out a hit with icy precision. The next minute, he passes mashed potatoes at a family dinner. But the cracks show quickly. His memory slips. The facade gets shaky. You feel the tension build as scenes flip between violent showdowns and quiet, painful moments with his daughter Maria, played by Odeya Rush.
There is even a gut-punch scene at the doctor's office. Angelo hears his diagnosis for the first time. That moment really hooks viewers. It presents a killer who can no longer trust his own mind.
More Than Another Crime Drama
Dempsey does not act alone. Michael Imperioli appears as Dutch, his buddy with underworld ties. Richard Harmon plays Joe, another hitman. Daniel David Stewart is Jeff, married to Angelo's daughter. Gina Torres steps in as FBI agent Linda Grant. She gets a little too close for Angelo's comfort.
What truly sets 'Memory of a Killer' apart is not just the action or suspense. It digs deep into the human side of things. Angelo's Alzheimer's does not just add drama. It forces everyone to face tough questions. What do we remember? Who are we? What happens when the past starts to slip away?
How to Watch 'Memory of a Killer'
From what the trailer shows, this is not your standard crime show. The emotional punch of Angelo's Alzheimer's takes it somewhere deeper. It tells a story about memory, identity, and what you would do to protect loved ones when you are losing yourself. Add Dempsey's performance as Angelo, and it is safe to say viewers will get hooked.
'Memory of a Killer' kicks off with a two-night event on Fox. Episode 1 airs on Sunday, January 25, 2026, right after the NFC Championship Game at 10 p.m. ET. Episode 2 follows on Monday night at 9 p.m. After that, new episodes drop weekly. Hulu is expected to stream each episode on demand soon after it airs.
