Gary Oldman delivers career-best performance in Slow Horses, an Apple TV+ espionage series redefining the platform’s standards and sparking conversation about its best show. As audiences debate whether Ted Lasso still reigns supreme, Slow Horses surges in popularity, captivating viewers with its realism and Oldman’s captivating portrayal.
Apple TV+ Steps Up with Breakout Hits
In recent months, Apple TV+ has significantly expanded its long-form content, pushing out an array of critically acclaimed shows. While comedies like Ted Lasso have garnered massive followings and thrillers such as Severance have drawn in new fans, it is the Gary Oldman starrer Slow Horses that is quietly rising to the top. The streamer, despite revealing a $1 billion loss, shows no signs of slowing down its investments, eager to cement itself as a top competitor in the market.
Slow Horses, described as an espionage thriller unlike any other, strips away the grandiosity often seen in the spy genre. It presents a raw and grounded take on intelligence gathering, something that stands apart from the saturated world of high-octane, gadget-filled productions. For Gary Oldman, taking on the lead role marked a distinctive departure—one that many argue brings audiences closer to the actor’s authentic self than any of his previous work.
Gary Oldman’s Unique Choice: Portraying a Role Close to Himself
With a career spanning more than forty years, Gary Oldman has embodied a wide range of characters; he has transformed physically and vocally numerous times, becoming wizards, villains, and historical figures through prosthetics, accents, and wigs. However, he had not yet taken on a character resembling his own personality. After years of becoming other people, Oldman sought a change, instructing his manager and producing partner to find a role where he wouldn’t need to mask himself behind layers of artifice.
During a conversation with Stephen Colbert, Oldman revealed the origins of his casting in Slow Horses. He recounted how his manager found a script that seemed to fit his criteria perfectly, merging his desire for a more grounded, self-reflective performance within the context of a John le Carré-inspired spy setting.
“And then we’re sitting on a plane together, and he’s chuckling over a script he’s reading. I said, ‘What are you laughing at? Is it that good?’ He said, ‘I’m reading a character who is just about to become your best friend.’ And it fell from the sky and ticked all the boxes. It’s ridiculous.”
With this project, Oldman ventured into the long-form television arena, eager to experience the creative energy that has redefined modern storytelling. When asked if Jackson Lamb was the role most like himself, he confirmed it was, embracing the opportunity to infuse elements of his own character into the part—something he’d never before prioritized in his choices.
Slow Horses: Redefining the Spy Thriller Genre
Traditional spy dramas, from the slick sophistication of James Bond to the high-flying antics of Mission: Impossible, thrive on spectacle, elaborate technology, and international intrigue. In stark contrast, Slow Horses grounds its narrative in the gritty reality of intelligence work, focusing on the marginalized agents of the Slough House division—castoffs from MI5 still engaged in perilous missions despite their fallen status.
At the heart of the series is Oldman’s character, Jackson Lamb, an unconventional hero and the head of Slough House. Lamb is a tactical mastermind but also deliberately unpolished, embracing flaws both comedic and off-putting. Oldman attributed much of the character’s texture to author Mick Herron, whose intricate novels lay the foundation for the series’ success.
“In terms of creating character, this all comes from the imagination of Mick [Herron]. It’s very detailed, and the books are full of information. A lot of the work of putting this man together has been done for me. I get ideas as I read and go along. There are things in the book and script that spark conversations in your head.”
The writing showcases the humor, intellect, and unpredictability of the Slough House team, making Slow Horses stand apart from its genre peers. Unlike more polished protagonists, Oldman’s Lamb operates with a mixture of wit, grit, and endearing disarray. While some similarities can be drawn to characters like Ted Lasso, Lamb’s sharply original portrayal and the authenticity of the surrounding spy world establish Slow Horses as a distinct offering.
Accolades and What Lies Ahead
Slow Horses has not only won over critics and audiences but also captured the attention of the industry’s top awards. It has earned nominations from the Emmys and the Screen Actors Guild, alongside numerous other major honors, cementing its place as a centerpiece of Apple TV+’s programming. With four seasons released and two more in the pipeline, the series is poised to lead Apple TV+’s slate into the future.
Gary Oldman’s deeply personal commitment to his role, coupled with the sharp writing and grounded aesthetic, pushes Slow Horses beyond the formulaic. As more viewers tune in, the question remains whether this performance will shift perceptions of Apple TV+’s top offering, possibly dethroning Ted Lasso and setting a new bar for quality drama on the platform. Slow Horses is currently streaming on Apple TV+, inviting audiences to experience one of Gary Oldman’s most celebrated performances and a fresh standard for espionage storytelling.
