Slow Horses
Slow Horses

TV Show spotlight

Slow Horses

2025
TV Show
Returning Series
5 Seasons
English

Follow a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents—and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb—as they navigate the espionage world's smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.

Insights

IMDb8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic86/100
Google Users95%
Director: Mick HerronGenres: Spy Fiction, Black Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Based on Mick Herron's acclaimed novels, Slow Horses follows a team of disgraced MI5 agents relegated to administrative tasks in a dumping ground division of the intelligence service. Led by the slovenly and brilliant Jackson Lamb, these "slow horses" often find themselves stumbling into real espionage cases, much to the chagrin of their superiors and their own detriment. The series blends sharp wit with tense spycraft as they navigate bureaucratic absurdity and genuine threats.

Critical Reception

Slow Horses has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike for its sharp writing, compelling characters, and darkly humorous tone. The performances, particularly Gary Oldman's as Jackson Lamb, have been consistently lauded, and the series is often cited as a standout in the spy thriller genre for its unique blend of intelligence and absurdity.

What Reviewers Say

  • Witty and thrilling spy drama with standout performances.

  • A darkly comedic and surprisingly engaging look at the underbelly of espionage.

  • Masterful adaptation that captures the spirit of the source material.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praise 'Slow Horses' for its clever writing, excellent acting (especially Gary Oldman), and suspenseful yet humorous plotlines. Many appreciate its unique take on the spy genre, finding it a refreshing departure from more conventional thrillers.

Awards & Accolades

BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor (Tom Burke, Season 1), nominations for numerous other awards including Best Drama Series. Critical acclaim and high viewership have solidified its status.

Fun Fact

The character of Jackson Lamb is heavily inspired by the real-life spy Kim Philby, a notorious double agent.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

Community Critic Reviews

No critic reviews have been posted yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
TarynsEyes

TarynsEyes

A little late to this site, and certainly wish I knew about it sooner. This is a fantastic show with a awesome cast with each filling their role incredibly. Gary Oldman is by far a most underrated actor. The plots, dialog, settingsare wo...

misubisu

misubisu

## **Slow Horses: A Gloriously Grubby Masterclass in Spycraft** Forget the slick, high-tech world of James Bond. In the shadowy corners of London, there’s a crumbling, foul-smelling building on Slough House where failed MI5 agents are se...

Chandler Danier

Chandler Danier

Source material seems great. Oldman is a wonderful piece of work. Twisty spy craft with good humour. Bureaucratic nonsense and secret dealings.

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this title yet.