Slow Horses

Slow Horses (2022)

80%
808votes
34popularity
5seasons
30episodes

"Drinker. Thinker. Rebel. Spy."
WebSite:https://tv.apple.com/show/umc.cmc.2szz3fdt71tl1ulnbp8utgq5o
First air date:4/1/2022
Last air date:10/29/2025
Type:Scripted
Genres:Crime | Drama | Comedy
Original language:English
Spoken languages:English
Countries:United Kingdom

Overview:

Follow a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents—and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb—as they navigate the espionage world's smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.… Expand

Networks:

Apple TV

Production companies:

See-Saw Films
United Kingdom
Flying Studio Pictures
United States of America
Sony Pictures Television
United States of America

Seasons

Cast

Cast

Videos

Official Sneak Peek
4/1/2022Clip
Official Trailer
3/2/2022Trailer

Videos

Recommendations

TV
2002
77%
Spooks
TV
2016
77%
The Night Manager
TV
2018
71%
Condor
TV
2023
77%
The Night Agent
TV
2024
65%
The Veil
TV
2016
73%
Private Eyes
TV
2014
64%
Legends
TV
2002
72%
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries
TV
2014
73%
The Game
TV
2017
72%
Strike
TV
2024
71%
The Agency: Central Intelligence
TV
2018
79%
Killing Eve
TV
2021
67%
Grace
TV
2024
71%
Black Doves
TV
2012
71%
Restless
TV
2022
72%
The Old Man
TV
2019
63%
Traitors
TV
2022
65%
A Spy Among Friends
TV
1982
77%
Smiley's People
TV
1984
67%
The Bill

Recommendations

Reviews

90%
Chandler Danier
chandlerdanier
- Created:12/27/2023
- Updated:12/27/2023
Source material seems great. Oldman is a wonderful piece of work. Twisty spy craft with good humour. Bureaucratic nonsense and secret dealings.… Expand
90%
misubisu
misubisu
- Created:10/30/2025
- Updated:10/30/2025
## **Slow Horses: A Gloriously Grubby Masterclass in Spycraft** Forget the slick, high-tech world of James Bond. In the shadowy corners of London, there’s a crumbling, foul-smelling building on Slough House where failed MI5 agents are sent to rot. They are the "Slow Horses," and their story is the best spy thriller on television. A potent cocktail of whip-smart writing, flawless performances, and unapologetic grit, *Slow Horses* is a near-perfect series that consistently exceeds expectations. ### The Misfits and the Misanthrop The show’s engine, and its greatest triumph, is the dynamic between the disgraced agents and their gloriously offensive boss, Jackson Lamb. Played with sublime, slovenly brilliance by Gary Oldman, Lamb is a masterpiece of character creation. He’s a tactical genius hiding behind a facade of laziness, flatulence, and relentless verbal abuse. Oldman chews the scenery, delivering insults with the precision of a sniper, yet somehow, through the cynicism, you never doubt his razor-sharp intellect or his deeply buried, almost accidental, sense of duty. Opposite him is River Cartwright, the promising agent whose one big mistake landed him in purgatory. Jack Lowden is the show's emotional anchor, perfectly capturing the frantic energy of a racehorse trapped in a stable, all simmering frustration and desperate ambition to prove himself. The surrounding ensemble—from the brilliant but troubled Sidonie (Olivia Cooke) to the shambolic tech wiz Roddy (Christopher Chung)—is equally superb. Each Slow Horse is given room to breathe and develop, making you deeply invested in this band of losers. ### A Relentless, Twisting Plot Where many thrillers stretch a thin premise over a season, *Slow Horses* operates with the pace and density of a great novel (because it is based on Mick Herron's superb book series). The plots are fiendishly clever, layering espionage, political conspiracy, and dry British humour into a relentlessly engaging narrative. The stakes feel real and immediate, often involving threats that are terrifyingly plausible. The show isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty, and no character, no matter how beloved, is ever truly safe. This genuine sense of peril elevates every car chase, every quiet surveillance scene, and every tense confrontation. ### Tone: The Secret Weapon The show’s masterstroke is its tone. It seamlessly blends the grimy realism of a John le Carré novel with the punchy, accessible energy of a modern political thriller. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the humour, often pitch-black and deriving from the sheer absurdity of their situation, provides a brilliant counterbalance to the life-and-death stakes. It’s a show that can have you laughing at Lamb’s latest vulgarity one moment and on the edge of your seat the next. ### The Verdict: 9/10 - Essential Viewing *Slow Horses* is a triumph. It’s intelligently written, superbly acted, and utterly compelling from start to finish. Gary Oldman gives one of the most captivating performances of his career, and the series around him is every bit his equal. It’s a refreshing, cynical, and deeply human take on the spy genre that respects its audience's intelligence while delivering top-tier entertainment. **Watch it if:** You love smart, character-driven thrillers; appreciate brilliant dialogue and performances; and are tired of glamorized spy fiction. **Skip it if:** You require a pristine, high-gloss aesthetic or are easily offended by crude humor and language. In a crowded television landscape, *Slow Horses* isn't just a standout; it's a champion. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go watch it all again.… Expand
0%
TarynsEyes
- Created:3/13/2026
- Updated:3/15/2026
A little late to this site, and certainly wish I knew about it sooner. This is a fantastic show with a awesome cast with each filling their role incredibly. Gary Oldman is by far a most underrated actor. The plots, dialog, settingsare wonderful. Do not ignore this show.… Expand

Filmoteka

Slow Horses (2022)

Seasons

Cast

Cast

Videos

Videos

Recommendations

Recommendations

Reviews

Reviews

Reviews

Recommendations

Videos