Is Slow Horses renewed for season 6? Renewal status explored
Apple TV+ officially renewed Slow Horses for a sixth season on October 15, 2024, a move that comes in the wake of the series' critical acclaim and growing fanbase. The renewal was announced just after the conclusion of season 4, which wrapped up last week.
This early renewal signals Apple’s confidence in the series, as they had already green-lit a fifth season before the release of season 4. The anticipation for season 5 is already building, with a trailer recently debuting, and it’s slated to arrive sometime in 2025.
The upcoming sixth season will be based on two novels from Mick Herron’s Slough House series: Joe Country and Slough House. Jay Hunt, creative director of Apple TV+ (Europe), said:
“Audiences around the world have fallen in love with the Slow Horses, and I’m delighted that Gary Oldman will be leading this star-studded cast on another acerbic and action-packed adventure.”
This decision suggests that the narrative stakes and character arcs will intensify, offering fans more of the action and intrigue they’ve come to expect. Slow Horses is now set to be Apple TV+’s first show to reach six seasons, a notable milestone for the streaming platform.
Exploring in detail: Slow Horses season 6 renewal
Slow Horses has been renewed for a sixth season. The show’s continued success and ability to captivate audiences has led to Apple’s decision to expand its storyline further. Season 6 will follow the trend of previous seasons with six episodes, despite the longer source material being covered this time.
Each season has remained consistent in its six-episode format, a structure that has worked well for pacing the narrative and maintaining audience engagement. With its renewal, Slow Horses is solidifying its place as a flagship series for Apple TV+.
What is Slow Horses about?
Slow Horses is a British spy thriller series adapted from Mick Herron’s acclaimed Slough House novels. The show follows a group of MI5 agents who have been relegated to Slough House, an administrative division for those who have failed in their missions but haven’t been fired.
These agents, known as slow horses, are tasked with menial duties under the sharp-tongued and slovenly leader, Jackson Lamb. Despite their lowly status, the team often finds themselves entangled in dangerous and complex espionage cases, putting their lives and reputations at risk.
The show has received praise for its gritty realism, dark humor, and well-crafted storytelling. Each season adapts one of Herron’s novels, with season 4 recently adapting Spook Street. The upcoming fifth season is set to adapt London Rules, and the sixth season will merge the plots of Joe Country and Slough House, indicating a potentially broader and more intense storyline.
Cast details
The ensemble cast of the show is one of its strongest assets, led by the iconic Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb. Oldman’s portrayal of the grumpy, unorthodox MI5 veteran has become a central appeal of the series. Lamb’s abrasive style and sharp wit provide both comic relief and tension, making him a compelling anti-hero who anchors the narrative.
Jack Lowden stars as River Cartwright, an ambitious MI5 agent demoted to Slough House after a high-profile training blunder. His character serves as the audience’s entry point into the world of Slough House and its misfit agents. Kristin Scott Thomas plays Diana Taverner, the calculating Deputy Director General of MI5. Her interactions with Lamb add a layer of intrigue and power dynamics that enrich the show’s narrative.
The cast also includes Sophie Okonedo as Ingrid Tearney, Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright, and Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy, each bringing depth and nuance to their roles. The recurring and guest stars, such as Hugo Weaving as Frank Harkness in season 4 and Katherine Waterston as Alison Dunn, have further strengthened the show’s storytelling.
Slow Horses has successfully maintained a strong ensemble while introducing new characters with each season. With seasons 5 and 6 on the horizon, fans can expect more thrilling performances and plot twists as the series continues to expand its universe and bring Herron’s novels to life on screen.
