Apple TV’s Slow Horses is back for Season 6, and the show’s signature misfits are on the run. The new season adapts two books from Mick Herron’s series — Joe Country and Slough House — as Jackson Lamb (Sir Gary Oldman), River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), and the rest of Slough House’s MI5 misfits face two mysterious assassins played by Kyle Soller and MyAnna Buring. The stakes are high, the twists are shocking, and the show has lost its Emmy-winning creator.
Opening Shot
Season 6 opens on a busy highway, where a dead animal is being run over by speeding cars. The camera pans to the nearby Forest Community Centre as we hear woof-like grunts from a man practicing karate. It is a strange, funny, tense moment that tells you exactly what kind of show this is. The dead animal and the man’s grunts set the tone immediately, a combination of danger and absurdity that the show leans into throughout the episode.
Creator’s Exit
After five seasons, Will Smith has stepped down from his role as creator, showrunner, and lead writer. He earned perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes scores on two of those seasons and took home an Emmy. The reason behind his departure was the demanding production schedule and a wish to explore other projects. Season 6 will now be overseen by Gaby Chiappe, which has given longtime fans who feared for the show’s future a heavy sigh of relief.
Adam Randall’s return as director for Season 4, working alongside Chiappe, helps maintain the show’s established strengths while raising the stakes. Randall brings back the quintessential pacing, tone, and heart of the series, elevating everything from action sequences to visual aesthetics.
The Two Book Adaptation
The two-book adaptation is not the show’s only major change heading into Season 6. Smith’s integral work in crafting the world and characters of Slow Horses is forever ingrained in the show’s DNA. Chiappe honors that legacy by writing to those strengths.
River’s dad, Frank Harkness, returns in the story. Hugo Weaving plays the role, and he continues to deliver a delightfully chilling, scene-stealing performance as a villain. Weaving’s presence is a constant highlight of the show, and his scenes remain some of the best in the series.
River himself is navigating unprecedented personal pain alongside the unexpected return of Season 1’s Sidonie “Sid” Baker, played by Olivia Cooke. Cooke’s return is a major event for fans, and Decider’s review notes that once she appears on screen, viewers will struggle to recall how we went so long without her. Her performance is singled out as a standout, with unexpected sass and expert comedic timing.
First Desk Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) has devised a complex plan for revenge against the slimy Peter Judd (Samuel West) and British news channel owner Damien Cantor (Harry Lloyd), and it has drawn in the Joes — the misfits of Slough House.
Louisa’s Corporate Turn
Rosalind Eleazar’s Louisa takes on a more corporate appearance in this season. She meets up with Shirley (Aimee-Ffion Edwards), Coe (Tom Brooke), Roddy (Christopher Chung), Moira (Joanna Scanlan), and Standish (Saskia Reeves) while out in the field. Joining them is standout Season 2 newcomer Lenny Rush, who plays Reece Nesmith, a young witness to a murder.
The field team’s return adds a familiar group to the story. Lenny Rush as Reece Nesmith provides a fresh perspective to the group. The review notes that Rush’s unexpected sass and expert comedic timing are standout moments.
Chase Scenes And Twists
Season 6 offers a large amount of action that stays inventive throughout. The review praises numerous breathtaking, badass chase and fight sequences staged across unusual settings — a bowling alley, a public restroom, a car park, and a swanky glass “fishbowl” safe house among them.
The pacing, tone, and heart of the show remain intact even as these scenes raise the stakes. Brilliant twists and shocking cliffhangers make up a good portion of the season. Viewers will be left hanging until the very end, with the final minutes setting everything up for Season 7.
What The Review Says
Six seasons in, the spy drama still delivers its sharpest storytelling and finest performances yet. The review’s verdict stands firm: STREAM. It keeps leveling up, pairing suspense with dark humor in perfect balance.
“Simply put, no show on TV is doing it like Slow Horses.”
The review praises the performances across the board. Weaving’s villain remains chilling, and Brooke’s awkward Coe out in the field is a delightful addition. Rush’s unexpected sass and expert comedic timing are also singled out as standout moments.
Comparisons To Other Espionage Shows
The review describes Slow Horses as a unique series that does not invite comparisons while you are watching it. For viewers seeking more espionage drama or humor, the review points to several related genre favorites.
- The Americans, starring Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell
- The new Mr. & Mrs. Smith
- Netflix’s Dept. Q, based on a series of crime novels
- Killing Eve, another star-studded British spy thriller
- The Outlaws, for lighter laughs
The suggestions offer a feel for the shows that share a similar tone with Slow Horses, though the series itself remains separate from each of them.
Parting Shot
A road lies empty beneath River Cartwright, dressed in his suit, appearing beaten. “Love & Death” by Ebo Taylor plays above him. The season closes on a note of defeat after weeks of strain, wit, and growing character.
Six seasons in and the review still holds its ground, calling Slow Horses a standout series that mixes suspense with dark humor while keeping its performances at a high level. The two-book source material, the return of the original cast, and the raised stakes all point to Season 6 as essential viewing.
Chiappe stays true to the show’s DNA while raising the stakes to record heights and delivering twists that shock. The acting alone earns its keep. This season proves once again that Slow Horses remains one of the best shows on television.
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