Gary Oldman leads Slow Horses season five, which is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on September 24, 2025, bringing back the acclaimed spy drama known for its unexpected humor and offbeat approach to espionage. This new season adapts Mick Herron’s London Rules, the fifth novel in the popular Slough House book series, and promises more intrigue as the eccentric agents navigate fresh challenges in London.
New Developments and Familiar Faces in Slough House
This season, the Slough House team becomes suspicious when IT specialist Roddy Ho, played by Christopher Chung, suddenly finds himself with a mysterious and attractive new girlfriend. The team, led by the unorthodox and notoriously abrasive Jackson Lamb, portrayed again by Gary Oldman, embarks on investigating a series of unusual incidents scattered around London. The lone guiding principle from the London Rules is straightforward: Cover your arse.
Returning to their trademark mix of dark humor and unconventional tactics, the team’s dynamic continues to focus on the oddball chemistry and unpredictable approach to solving problems, highlighting the misfit nature of Slough House within the greater U.K. intelligence infrastructure. This blend has established Slow Horses as both a critical and audience favorite.
Critical Reception and Accolades
The previous season earned praise for holding true to the aspects that have made the show successful. In a review for The A.V. Club, John DeVore noted,
“This season sticks to the formula that makes Slow Horses a dependably entertaining ride, including Oldman’s Jackson sucking on cancer sticks and the U.K.’s tactical security forces failing, time and time again, to defeat Slough House, the Bad News Bears of the intelligence community,”
—John DeVore, A.V. Club. DeVore further added,
“As always, Slow Horses has very little fat, and each episode zips.”
—John DeVore, A.V. Club.
The continued presence of Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, combined with the source material from Mick Herron, provides a reliable foundation for the show’s ongoing success. The series’ offbeat depiction of British intelligence and its ensemble cast set it apart from other spy dramas.
What Viewers Can Expect Next
The return of Slow Horses on Apple TV+ not only continues the story of Slough House but also solidifies its status with a sixth season already confirmed, marking a milestone for the platform. As the misfit spies confront new personal and professional puzzles, the coming season is expected to further explore the complexities of compromised heroes in the world of espionage. With its mix of humor, tension, and character-driven storytelling, Slow Horses remains a standout among contemporary series, inviting viewers to see where Jackson Lamb and his team go next in London’s shadowy landscape.
