Forget James Bond, ‘Slow Horses’ Season 5 Is Giving Us the Best Modern Spy Story

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As reliably as the leaves change, it’s fall TV season, and a new season of Slow Horses is here for those with Apple TV+. The spy series, adapted from Mick Herron’s “Slough House” novels, is made at an impressive pace-new seasons are filmed even before the last one airs. Apple keeps renewing the show, and with good reason: it’s a truly great story that cleverly challenges typical spy tropes. Don’t expect a James Bond or Jason Bourne in Slow Horses-it follows a group of flawed agents hoping for a second chance, though they rarely find one.

The strength of Slow Horses lies in its well-crafted characters and intricate storylines, delivering a remarkable “spy” story that feels fresh and different. It moves away from the polished, perfect agents often seen in contemporary thrillers and spy shows. Slow Horses distinguishes itself by focusing on deeply relatable, flawed characters who find themselves in difficult situations, forced to cope with limited resources. This fifth season of Slow Horses perfectly demonstrates this approach, starting with an opening episode that allows the characters to grow and consider the events of previous seasons.

‘Slow Horses’ Is About the Most Unconventional of Spies


Apple TV+

Slow Horses Season 5 adapts the fifth book in Mick Herron’s series, “London Rules,” beginning with a shocking terrorist attack that results in multiple fatalities. This kind of setup is common for this type of show, but Slow Horses quickly adds a surprise: the attacker, who targeted a political event, is unexpectedly killed by a sniper. As always, something bigger is happening beneath the surface, with dangerous espionage taking center stage and leaving the characters feeling completely out of their depth. This gripping opening establishes the central mystery of the season, and then Slow Horses revisits its familiar cast of characters.

What really makes Slow Horses stand out from other spy thrillers is its incredible character development, and this is largely thanks to the show’s unusual setup. The story centers on Slough House, a department within MI5 run by Jackson Lamb (played by Gary Oldman, delivering one of his finest performances), where spies who’ve messed up badly are exiled. Each season introduces a fresh group of agents, while a few regulars stick around, driven by a mix of determination, self-deception, and ego. When these agents *do* move on, it’s often under unpleasant circumstances, or even tragically. This sad pattern is balanced by the actors’ comedic timing and skill.

Jack Lowden as River Cartwright, Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish, Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy, and Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho have been consistent cast members alongside Oldman since the show began, with new faces appearing each season. Aimee-Ffion Edwards, as Shirley Dander, has also become a regular; she first appeared in Season 2 and has faced many challenges with the other agents at Slough House. The death of Marcus, a recent addition to Slough House who died in the previous season, deeply affects Shirley, and her emotional journey is a key part of the current season’s story. Unlike many famous spies who rarely change (Slow Horses) lets its characters evolve, develop, and face real difficulties with each new season.

Every Season of ‘Slow Horses’ Has a Different Character Focus

Season 5 Is No Different


Apple TV+

Considering that all the agents at Slough House – affectionately known as “Slow Horses” – ended up there against their wishes, the group is initially a collection of unhappy people who gradually learn to put up with each other. The actors have fantastic chemistry; their insults, sarcastic remarks, and angry moments feel incredibly real, creating a foundation of dark humor that’s essential to the show’s success. The show also provides realistic character arcs that don’t always end in death. For instance, Louisa simply decides to leave at the beginning of the newest season, logically because she’s exhausted by the constant hardship of working at Slough House.

I’ve been following River Lowden for a few seasons now, and he’s still just as driven – maybe *too* driven – to win back the favor of MI5. Honestly, it’s gotten to the point where he throws himself into things with a kind of reckless abandon, and fails, spectacularly, every single time. We’ve seen a real decline with this character, and this season finds him at his most hopeless and desperate. Thankfully, Gary Oldman’s Lamb remains a consistently compelling and funny presence throughout the series. What’s impressive is how genuinely everyone else evolves; they all feel incredibly vulnerable this season, like they’re at their absolute lowest. It creates this incredible tension – it really feels like a powder keg just waiting to explode, and I have a feeling this is going to be a truly fantastic season of television. You can find more about the series here.

Of course, there’s also Roddy Ho, the tech expert at Slough House. Unlike the others, he’s not there because of a mistake at MI5; he’s simply not very likeable (and doesn’t realize it!). This season, Ho takes center stage, as the Slow Horses are baffled by the mystery of his successful relationship outside of work. When this relationship potentially links to the terrorist attack, both the viewers and characters become even more invested. After just one episode, Slow Horses Season 5 has quickly become the must-watch spy story of the season.

No Series Deconstructs the Spy Genre Quite Like ‘Slow Horses’


Apple TV+

Slow Horses isn’t focused on one particular spy or a grand, sweeping plot. Instead, it’s a show built around a group of characters who take the familiar thrills of the spy genre and turn them upside down. The series gives every flawed and underestimated character a moment to stand out. Series creator Will Smith and the writers have skillfully adapted Mick Herron’s novels into what many consider to be one of Apple TV+’s strongest shows. The show has maintained its high quality throughout all seasons, and Season 5 looks to be no exception. This season features a new mystery unfolding during competing political campaigns, and it puts the series’ most difficult character front and center, further solidifying its place as a standout in the genre.

As the new season begins, it’ll be fascinating to watch Lamb and his team of unlikely agents navigate another complex case, potentially linked to hidden truths within MI5. Slow Horses Season 5 delivers thrilling, realistic action, well-developed characters, and surprisingly dark humor, making it a show you won’t want to miss. Slow Horses is streaming on Apple TV+.

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2025-10-01 01:11