Apple has pulled the trigger on an early renewal for the hilarious spy thriller 'Slow Horses,' starring the illustrious Gary Oldman, greenlighting a sixth season even before the dust has settled on its current run. The announcement arrives hot on the heels of the gripping season four finale that premiered on October 9th on Apple TV+, and follows the earlier announcement of a fifth season earlier this year.
In this upcoming fifth season, picking up right where the fourth left off, the motley crew of 'Slow Horses' finds themselves on the lam as Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) draws them into a perilous game of retaliation and revenge, raising the stakes to fatal heights.
'Slow Horses,' inspired by the beloved 'Slough House' novel series penned by Mick Herron, delves into the eccentric world of a dysfunctional team of British intelligence operatives who find themselves relegated to the unsavory depths of MI5's dumping ground department, affectionately (or not) known as Slough House. The stellar ensemble cast also boasts Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, Samuel West, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Ruth Bradley, Tom Brooke, Joanna Scanlan, and Jonathan Pryce, with Hugo Weaving joining the fray as a formidable antagonist in season four.
Oscar-winner Oldman shines brightly as the irascible Jackson Lamb, leading the charge in this ensemble. "Audiences across the globe have embraced 'Slow Horses' with open arms, and I am thrilled that Gary Oldman will continue to helm this star-laden cast on a journey filled with wit, sarcasm, and adrenaline-pumping action," exclaimed Jay Hunt, Apple TV+'s creative director for Europe, in a statement on Tuesday.
Produced by See-Saw Films, 'Slow Horses' boasts an impressive list of executive producers including Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Julian Stevens, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Adam Randall, Gail Mutrux, Douglas Urbanski, and Oldman himself. Season six will be adapted for the screen by co-executive producer Gaby Chiappe, with Adam Randall reprising his role as director. All four existing seasons of 'Slow Horses' are available to stream on Apple TV+, though the tech giant keeps its viewing figures under wraps.
The show made a splash in the 2024 Emmy Awards, racking up nine nominations for season three, including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Actor for Oldman. Writer-showrunner Will Smith triumphantly bagged the award for Best Writing in a Drama Series. Prior to season four's release, Smith divulged his vision to The Hollywood Reporter, revealing plans to adapt all nine novels in the 'Slough House' series for the screen. "Mick's currently writing the ninth, but it all depends on Apple's desires and audience appetite," Smith noted. "I strive to leave audiences wanting more rather than overstaying our welcome, but the world of 'Slow Horses' is rich with untapped potential. Mick's also penned 'The Secret Hours,' a fascinating backstory on Lamb that introduces existing characters in a captivating new light. It's a magnificent book that begs for a shorter series, a film, or something special. And Gary's eager to keep the momentum going as long as he's called upon. He's truly found his niche in this role."
