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 sent to rot. They are the "Slow Horses," and their story is the best spy thriller on television. A potent cocktail of whip-smart writing, flawless performances, and unapologetic grit, Slow Horses is a near-perfect series that consistently exceeds expectations.
The Misfits and the Misanthrop
The show’s engine, and its greatest triumph, is the dynamic between the disgraced agents and their gloriously offensive boss, Jackson Lamb. Played with sublime, slovenly brilliance by Gary Oldman, Lamb is a masterpiece of character creation. He’s a tactical genius hiding behind a facade of laziness, flatulence, and relentless verbal abuse. Oldman chews the scenery, delivering insults with the precision of a sniper, yet somehow, through the cynicism, you never doubt his razor-sharp intellect or his deeply buried, almost accidental, sense of duty.
Opposite him is River Cartwright, the promising agent whose one big mistake landed him in purgatory. Jack Lowden is the show's emotional anchor, perfectly capturing the frantic energy of a racehorse trapped in a stable, all simmering frustration and desperate ambition to prove himself. The surrounding ensemble—from the brilliant but troubled Sidonie (Olivia Cooke) to the shambolic tech wiz Roddy (Christopher Chung)—is equally superb. Each Slow Horse is given room to breathe and develop, making you deeply invested in this band of losers.
A Relentless, Twisting Plot
Where many thrillers stretch a thin premise over a season, Slow Horses operates with the pace and density of a great novel (because it is based on Mick Herron's superb book series). The plots are fiendishly clever, layering espionage, political conspiracy, and dry British humour into a relentlessly engaging narrative. The stakes feel real and immediate, often involving threats that are terrifyingly plausible. The show isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty, and no character, no matter how beloved, is ever truly safe. This genuine sense of peril elevates every car chase, every quiet surveillance scene, and every tense confrontation.
Tone: The Secret Weapon
The show’s masterstroke is its tone. It seamlessly blends the grimy realism of a John le Carré novel with the punchy, accessible energy of a modern political thriller. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the humour, often pitch-black and deriving from the sheer absurdity of their situation, provides a brilliant counterbalance to the life-and-death stakes. It’s a show that can have you laughing at Lamb’s latest vulgarity one moment and on the edge of your seat the next.
The Verdict: 9/10 - Essential Viewing
Slow Horses is a triumph. It’s intelligently written, superbly acted, and utterly compelling from start to finish. Gary Oldman gives one of the most captivating performances of his career, and the series around him is every bit his equal. It’s a refreshing, cynical, and deeply human take on the spy genre that respects its audience's intelligence while delivering top-tier entertainment.
Watch it if: You love smart, character-driven thrillers; appreciate brilliant dialogue and performances; and are tired of glamorized spy fiction.
Skip it if: You require a pristine, high-gloss aesthetic or are easily offended by crude humor and language.
In a crowded television landscape, Slow Horses isn't just a standout; it's a champion. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go watch it all again.
