Slow Horsesseason 6 has been renewed at Apple TV+, with book and story details revealed. After breaking out at the most recent Primetime Emmys, with nine nominations, the Apple TV+ spy dramedywrapped upSlow Horsesseason 4somberly and shockingly. Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) and River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) share a drink in stunned silence, following the death of a Slough House team member. It’s a more overtly emotional territory for the Mick Herron adaptation, which will continue for at least the next few years.
Applenow confirms thatSlow Horsesseason 6 has been renewed, with season 5 confirmed to be released in 2025. The upcoming episodes will follow what happens when the central spies go out on the run after Diana Tavener (Kristin Scott Thomas) gets them all involved in a fatal game of retribution and revenge. It’s also confirmed thatthe upcoming sixth installment will adapt two Herron novels: Joe Country and Slough House, which are the sixth and seventh books of the series.
What The Renewal Means For Slow Horses
The Sixth Installment Will Have A Bigger Story
It’s hard to tell how season 6 will look, given that season 5 has yet to debut. But it’s worth noting that the adaptation’s most recent finale might be its most consequential. River has to put his grandfather (played by Jonathan Pryce) in a retirement home. Marcus (Kadiff Kirwan) dies, which impacts Shirley (Aimee-Ffion Edwards) the most. Diana has to deal with two new faces, such as Claude (James Callis) and Emma (Ruth Bradley), both of whom will be back forSlow Horsesseason 5.
How Accurate Is Slow Horses? 6 Things The Show Gets Wrong About MI5
Based on the Slough House novels by Mick Herron, Slow Horses isn’t a totally accurate depiction of MI5, though the spy thriller nails some details.
But perhaps the biggest development is that the villainous Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving) is revealed to be River’s father, with Diana seemingly having to let Harkness go after being outmaneuvered. The show’s 2025 return will include a bigger spotlight on Roddy Ho (Christopher Chung), as he’ll be the target of what seems to be an apparent assassination attempt. The fifth installment will be based on the novelLondon Rules.
2010
2013
2016
2017
2018
2019
2021
Bad Actors
2022
Slow Horsesseason 7 has not been confirmed. Oldman, as the lead star, and series creator Will Smith have both said in interviews that they’d be happy to continue the story in its current form, downplaying possible spinoff avenues like a prequel. Given the series' recent jump in acclaim, with both audiences and more broadly,talk of a final season does not seem to be in the immediate future. With the early renewal for season 6, this means that the show can comfortably set up more ongoing storylines without the fear of being cancelled.
Our Take On Slow Horses' Renewal
Apple’s Approach Is Paying Off
Although it is often downplayed or outright ignored in media reports, Apple TV+ does have a global presence. The streamer is clearly smaller in the U.S., butshows likeSlow Horseshave found an audience in the U.K. and other countries. With the Emmy nominations and consistent release schedule, it is also beginning to pick up positive word-of-mouth in the U.S. With the current release schedule, season 6 will likely air in 2026.
Slow Horses Is Jack Lowden’s Perfect Audition For A $15 Billion Franchise
Jack Lowden’s Slow Horses role melds action, drama, and dark comedy that would make him a refreshing choice to play 007 in the upcoming Bond film.
Slow Horses
Cast
Slow Horses follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents led by the notorious Jackson Lamb. Set against the backdrop of the espionage world, the agents must navigate complex operations and defend England from sinister forces, all while dealing with internal struggles and their abrasive boss.
