Memory of a Killer trailer officially drops on Fox showcasing Patrick Dempsey in a gripping new role. The hitman battling early-onset Alzheimer’s faces his most dangerous case yet. The series premieres January 26, 2026, at 9/8c.

Patrick Dempsey’s Broadcast TV Comeback Brings High Stakes to Fox

Memory of a Killer marks Patrick Dempsey’s return to broadcast television in a complex, morally gray role. Dempsey brings his dramatic depth from Grey’s Anatomy, Dexter: Original Sin, and Ferrari to this entirely new territory. The series positions him as an antihero caught between two worlds colliding dangerously.

The drama follows Angelo Doyle, a professional assassin leading a carefully compartmentalized double life. By day, he’s a devoted father figure to his daughter Maria. By night, he executes high-stakes contracts for dangerous clients. This balance becomes impossible when his diagnosis threatens to unravel everything.

The Premise: A Hitman Losing His Memory and Gaining a Conscience

As Angelo battles early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, his carefully constructed world begins to crumble. His memory deteriorates, making his job increasingly perilous. Yet this cognitive decline triggers an unexpected awakening—his conscience begins to resurface as his past fades away.

The central conflict erupts when Angelo discovers that Maria’s recent death may not have been accidental. When someone targets his pregnant daughter, the wall separating his two identities shatters completely. Angelo must hunt down his mortal enemy while continuing contracts, hiding his diagnosis, and protecting his family.

Ensemble Cast Delivers Star Power and Dramatic Depth

Character	Actor	Role
Angelo Doyle	Patrick Dempsey	Hitman with Alzheimer’s
Dutch	Michael Imperoli	Restaurant chef/criminal enterprise front
Maria	Odeya Rush	Angelo’s pregnant daughter
Special Agent Linda Grant	Gina Torres	FBI investigator
Joe	Richard Harmon	Fellow hitman

Gina Torres joins the cast as Special Agent Linda Grant, a no-nonsense FBI investigator hot on Angelo’s trail. Michael Imperoli grounds the narrative as Dutch, a childhood friend turned restaurant chef fronting a criminal operation. Odeya Rush delivers emotional weight as Maria, the daughter caught in crossfire.

Richard Harmon appears as Joe, another contract killer, adding complexity to the professional underworld. Daniel David Stewart plays Jeff, Maria’s husband protecting his family. Peter Gadiot rounds out the ensemble as Dave, a local police detective.

Adapted from European Critical Success, Fox Invests in Premium Drama

Memory of a Killer draws inspiration from the 2003 Belgian film “De Zaak Alzheimer” (also known as “The Alzheimer Case”), which earned international critical acclaim. That feature explored similar themes—a hitman confronting early-onset Alzheimer’s while completing one final assignment. The emotional and moral complexity resonated globally.

The Fox adaptation expands this premise significantly, transforming the contained film narrative into a serialized drama spanning multiple episodes. Producer Warner Bros. Television enlisted executive producers including Aaron Zelman, Glenn Kessler, and Cathy Schulman. Martin Campbell of Eyeworks brings European sensibilities to American broadcast television.

Why December Through January Becomes Fox’s Must-Watch Event Period?

Fox strategically positioned Memory of a Killer for January 26 premiere, competing in the crowded winter drama landscape. The timing capitalizes on post-holiday viewer appetite for sophisticated adult drama. Dempsey’s return to television, combined with Torres’s return to dramatic series, generates significant awareness.

The premise—a morally complex protagonist facing terminal illness while protecting family—appeals to audiences who embraced shows like Breaking Bad and True Detective. Fox expects the tension between Angelo’s professional obligations and personal awakening to resonate deeply with subscribers. The redemption angle—where memory loss paradoxically restores conscience—offers fresh dramatic territory.

What Should Viewers Expect When Memory of a Killer Arrives in 59 Days?

Anticipate a character-driven thriller examining what happens when a man’s greatest liability becomes his only path to redemption. The premise promises action sequences, emotional revelations, and moral ambiguity. Angelo’s deteriorating condition creates urgency—every episode raises stakes as his mind slips further away.

The series explores whether someone can genuinely change or escape their past. Angelo’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis forces a reckoning: Does he pursue revenge against his wife’s killer, or protect his daughter by walking away? The family drama intertwines with criminal enterprise, law enforcement pursuit, and personal morality. Fox positions this as appointment television for viewers seeking intelligent, dark drama without superhero fantasy elements.

“Angelo is exceptionally resourceful and talented, the best of the best. But he’s about to be tested like never before — and now every minute counts. This is only made more difficult when he discovers that his wife’s recent death may not have been an accident. So, when someone comes after his daughter — who is pregnant — it’s clear the wall between his lives has been breached.”

— Fox Official Series Description, Memory of a Killer

Sources

• Variety – Exclusive trailer premiere and cast announcement details
• Deadline – Production information and series greenlight announcement
• TV Insider – Comprehensive cast and premiere date coverage