Slow Horses: The Best Drama Series Right Now
In a TV landscape often saturated with formulaic content, Apple TV+’s Slow Horses continues to stand out, captivating viewers with its sharp writing, stellar performances, and uniquely British take on the spy genre. When I first wrote about Slow Horses, it was clear that this series had all the makings of a classic. Now, with Seasons 3 and 4 complete and news of a renewal through Season 6, it’s only grown more compelling.
Season 4’s Highs and Lows
Season 4, which concluded with arguably the best episode of the series to date, balanced the intensity of high-octane action with moments of poignant tragedy. Erik Kain of Forbes captures it perfectly, noting how the season finale managed to wrap up complex storylines while leaving space for an understated and emotional denouement. The pacing was flawless, and while some moments were heartbreaking, the writing never felt rushed.
One of the major highlights was the evolving relationship between Jackson Lamb (played by the brilliant Gary Oldman) and his colleagues at Slough House. Lamb’s gruff, no-nonsense leadership continued to anchor the show, even as each character experienced moments of personal growth and professional triumph—or failure. Season 4 also deftly handled its ensemble cast, giving each character their due without sacrificing the overall narrative.
Looking Ahead to Season 5 and Beyond
The teaser for Season 5, which aired at the end of Season 4, has already set fans’ expectations sky-high. Filmed and slated for release in 2025, the next chapter promises more intrigue, high stakes, and dark humor. It’s comforting to know that Apple TV+ is fully invested in the show, having already renewed it through Season 6.
As we eagerly await new developments, it’s clear that Slow Horses remains a breath of fresh air in the spy drama genre. Its blend of understated wit, raw emotion, and gripping action keeps it at the top of must-watch lists.
The Heart of Slough House: Stellar Cast and Performances
At the heart of Slow Horses is Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb, a Cold War relic whose disheveled appearance and acerbic wit belie a keen intelligence and fierce loyalty to his team. Oldman’s performance is nothing short of magnetic, as he brings both humor and depth to the role.
Kristin Scott Thomas delivers her usual brilliance as MI5 Deputy Director-General Diana Taverner, whose uneasy partnership with Lamb fuels some of the show’s best moments. The tension and banter between them reflect years of shared history and professional rivalry.
Saskia Reeves, as Catherine Standish, continues to play an essential role in the inner workings of Slough House. Her sharp organizational mind, quiet strength, and overlooked intelligence have become indispensable assets to Lamb’s operation.
Jonathan Pryce’s portrayal of David Cartwright, the sharp-witted grandfather of River Cartwright, adds a layer of family drama to the series, particularly in his Season 4 appearances. David’s MI5 past contrasts sharply with River’s present situation, creating some emotional depth for Jack Lowden’s character.
Lowden’s River Cartwright remains the youthful and competent figure whose frustrations with his assignment at Slough House drive much of the show’s tension. In Season 4, River is more determined than ever to restore his once-promising career, and his dynamic with other agents continues to evolve in interesting ways.
Rosalind Eleazar plays Louisa Guy, whose relationship with Dustin Demri-Burns’ character Min Harper provided layers of emotional complexity throughout the series. Louisa’s intuitive and artistic approach sets her apart from the rest of the team, adding a unique perspective to the ensemble.
Christopher Chung’s Roddy Ho provides much-needed comic relief as the eccentric and slightly arrogant hacker. His skills in tech and computer systems often prove invaluable, though his overconfidence can sometimes get in the way.
Season 4 introduced Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Shirley Dander, a fiery new addition to Slough House. Shirley’s rebellious streak and no-nonsense attitude have quickly made her a fan favorite, bringing fresh energy to the series.
Kadiff Kirwan, who plays Marcus Longridge, and Joanna Scanlan as Moira Tregorian have also added new dimensions to the show, particularly in Season 4, where their characters get entangled in the ever-complicated world of MI5 misfits.
Other standouts in previous seasons include Hugo Weaving’s portrayal of the menacing Frank Harkness, a character who brought a dangerous edge to the storyline. Ruth Bradley’s Emma Flyte and James Callis as the cunning Claude Whelan also left their mark on earlier episodes.
Looking Back to Look Forward
When I first wrote about Slow Horses, I could sense its potential, but the show has exceeded even my highest expectations. With Mick Herron’s source material as the backbone, and talents like writer Will Smith and director James Hawes steering the ship, it’s no surprise the series continues to thrive.
As we await Season 5, I’m reminded of the anticipation I felt at the end of Season 1. Now, however, that anticipation is tempered with confidence. We know we’re in for something extraordinary.
Gary Oldman delivers a captivating performance as Agent Chief Jackson Lamb, the strong and reliable pillar of “Slow Horses.” As the head of the fictional Slough House, a sanctuary for MI5 agents who have made costly missteps, Lamb’s eccentric charm is enhanced by his loose-fitting suits, remnants of the Cold War era. Kristin Scott Thomas shines as Diana Taverner, Lamb’s former colleague and Deputy Director-General of MI5. The comedic and tense secret meetings between Lamb and Taverner reflect their intricate and complicated relationship. Jack Lowden brings efficiency to the role of River Cartwright, epitomizing youthful competence. River’s palpable frustration with his situation in Slough House drives him to tirelessly work towards regaining his former position. Saskia Reeves masterfully portrays Catherine Standish, the organizational force behind Slough House, whose often-overlooked intelligence proves invaluable in cracking difficult cases. Dustin Demri Burns provides comic relief as Min Harper, navigating life in Slough House after an unfortunate mishap. Min’s ongoing courtship with Rosalind Eleazar’s character, Louisa Guy, adds layers of complexity to their relationship. Louisa’s unique insights and artistic approach set her apart from her male counterparts. Christopher Chung brings Roddy Ho, a skilled hacker and computer specialist, to life, while Olivia Cooke’s portrayal of Sid Baker, a highly competent investigator with a mysterious background, is captivating. The series is based on Mick Herron’s novel “Slow Horses,” with the talented Will Smith as the writer and James Hawes as the director. After the eagerly anticipated conclusion of Season 1, viewers are left eagerly awaiting the arrival of Season 2, much like the anticipation of childhood Christmas mornings.
Jonathan Pryce – David Cartwright
Jonathan Pryce plays David Cartwright, River’s grandfather. He is a retired senior MI5 officer, though his path still often crosses with those at Slough House.
Pryce played Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in The Crown and Mike Evans in 3 Body Problem.
Saskia Reeves – Catherine Standish
After barely skirting treason charges, Saskia Reeves’ Catherine Standish is assigned to Slough House.
While she’s quick-witted and highly skilled like everyone else on the team, Saskia is a bit of an alcoholic.
Reeves previously played DSU Rose Teller in the fan-favorite series Luther and even appeared in three episodes of the 2000 Dune television series.
- Wikipedia: Saskia Reeves
- IMDb: Saskia Reeves
Rosalind Eleazar – Louisa Guy
Rosalind Eleazar’s Louisa Guy is another of Slough House’s rejected recruits. She fell into their lap after a tailing operation she led ended poorly.
Some of Eleazar’s previous works include Harlots, Deep Water, Class of ’09, and more.
Aimee-Ffion Edwards – Shirley Dander
While Shirley Dander’s Aimee-Ffion Edwards was an MI5 agent, she was pushed into Slough House thanks to punching her superior officer. She also happens to be a cocaine addict, so that didn’t help things either. Thankfully, she’s worked to clean things up a little.
Many fans will likely recognize Edwards from her time as Esme Shelby on Peaky Blinders.
- Wikipedia: Aimee-Ffion Edwards
- IMDb: Aimee-Ffion Edwards
Christopher Chung – Roddy Ho
Christopher Chung plays Roddy Ho, a former “hacktivist” who is now a tech specialist for Slough House.
Reportedly, Roddy Ho was fired by MI5 for his IT skills being “too good.”
Chung can previously be seen in Waterloo Road and offers his voice talents to the PlayStation video game Horizon Forbidden West.
- Instagram: @chrispchung
- Wikipedia: Christopher Chung
- IMDb: Christopher Chung
Kadiff Kirwan – Marcus Longridge
Kadiff Kirwan’s Marcus Longridge is held down by a crippling gambling addiction that destroyed both his career and marriage. Despite that, he’s still an invaluable member of the Slough House.
Kirwan can also be seen in This Is Going to Hurt, This Way Up, and Dodo.
- Instagram: @kadiffkirwan
- Wikipedia: Kadiff Kirwan
- IMDb: Kadiff Kirwan
Joanna Scanlan – Moira Tregorian
Joanna Scanlan’s Moira Tregorian has a fun nickname, Queen of the Database, and has been banished to Slough House.
Some of Scanlan’s previous works include The Larkins, Boat Story, and Wicked Little Letters.
- Wikipedia: Joanna Scanlan
- IMDb: Joanna Scanlan
Tom Brooke – J.K. Coe
A man of few words, Tom Brooke’s J.K. Coe is a fellow agent who joins the fun in Slow Horses Season 4. Before joining the Slough House crew, he was a former operative from Psych Eval.
Brooke played Fiore in Preacher, Bill Wiggins in Sherlock, and Andy Apsted in Bodyguard.
Hugo Weaving – Frank Harkness
Iconic actor Hugo Weaving joins Slow Horses as Frank Harkness, a former CIA operative who now operates as a mercenary. He will be Season 4’s antagonist.
Many will know Weaving from his performance as Elrond in The Lord of the Rings series. He has also appeared in The Royal Hotel, Love Me, Expired, and more.
- Wikipedia: Hugo Weaving
- IMDb: Hugo Weaving
Ruth Bradley – Emma Flyte
MI5 has a new head of security, and the honor goes to Ruth Bradley’s Emma Flyte.
Audiences can also see Flyte’s performance in projects such as Ted Lasso, Guilt, and The Gold.
- Instagram: @ruthbradley24
- Wikipedia: Emma Flyte
- IMDb: Emma Flyte
James Callis – Claude Whelan
James Callis’ Claude Whelan is another new addition to Slow Horses Season 4.
Claude is the recently promoted Director General of MI5 but may be out of his depth.
Callis is best known for his role as Dr. Gaius Baltar on Battlestar Galactica. His other works include Castlevania, Star Trek: Picard, and Blood & Treasure.
- Instagram: @james_callis
- Wikipedia: James Callis
- IMDb: James Callis
Jack Lowden – River Cartwright
Jack Lowden’s River Cartwright is one of the many outcasts of the Slough House, someone who feels he has something to prove after messing up in a training exercise.
His relationship with his grandfather, David Cartwright (Jonathan Pryce), takes center stage in Season 4, as his family’s history in the agency haunts them.
Lowden has roles in Dunkirk, The Gold, The Long Song, and more.
- Instagram: @jack.lowden
- Wikipedia: Jack Lowden
- IMDb: Jack Lowden
Kristin Scott Thomas – Diana Taverner
Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) returns for Season 4 as the MI5 Deputy Director-General and Head of Operations.
She often uses Slough House as a tool to further her career.
Thomas also delivers notable performances in The English Patient, Only God Forgives, Four Weddings and a Funeral.
- Instagram: @kristinscottthomas
- Wikipedia: Kristin Scott Thomas
- IMDb: Kristin Scott Thomas
Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb
Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner
Jack Lowden as River Cartwright
Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish
Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright
Dustin Demri-Burns as Min Harper
Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy
Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho
Olivia Cooke as Sid Baker
‘Slow Horses’ Season 4: Hugo Weaving, Joanna Scanlan & Ruth Bradley Among Cast To Join Gary Oldman In Apple Spy Series
Slow Horses – Season 1 | RECAP
Premise: After a botched and publicly embarrassing training mission, British MI5 officer River Cartwright is exiled to Slough House, an administrative purgatory for service rejects. Known as “Slow Horses”, Cartwright and his colleagues must endure dull, paper pushing tasks and their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb, who expects them to quit out of boredom and frustration. Life in Slough House is defined by drudgery until the Slow Horses become entangled in a dangerous gambit by Regent’s Park. (Source: Wikipedia)
Slow Horses-Jackson Lamb/Gary Oldman |AppleTv+
Okay, Apple TV, hire me now. I’m willing to do all of the promo for this show because I’m obsessed with it. I’ve read all of the books over a week and I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Seriously, everybody, go watch this show. It’s hilarious, clever, heartfelt. And also read the books by Mick Herron – they’re even better. It’s the spy thriller you didn’t know you needed – because these spies are not cool. They’re a bunch of losers. And I love all of them (Except Ho. He’s a dick. But he does it so well.)
Slow Horses Interviews: We sit down with Gary Oldman, Saskia Reeves, and Jack Lowden!
SLOW HORSES – Behind The Scenes Talk With Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden & Oliva Cooke | Apple TV+
Slow Horses — Season 4 Official Trailer | Apple TV+
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