Slow Horses: Apple TV+ release date of series based on Mick Herron book, trailer and cast with Gary Oldman

Slow Horses, a new spy drama starring Gary Oldman, is arriving on Apple TV+ on Friday 1 April.

The series is adapted from Mick Herron’s book of the same name, which is the first of 11 novels to feature Jackson Lamb (here played by Oldman). A second series has already been filmed, and is set to adapt the second of Herron’s books.

Here’s everything you need to know about Slow Horses.

What is it about?

Slow Horses is about the administrative division of MI5 – a dull purgatory for field agents who make career-ending mistakes.

They’re all expected to quit out of boredom and frustration, until a new conspiracy takes root and sees the Slough House employees drawn into a dangerous gambit.

Who stars in the cast?

Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, the miserable leader of MI5’s administrative division. Oldman is best known for appearances in the Harry Potter and Batman franchises, as well as an Oscar-winning turn in Churchill biopic Darkest Hour (as well as nominations for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Mank!)

Olivia Cooke plays Sid Baker, one of the young agents working at Slough House. Cooke is best known for films such as Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and South of Metal, and can next be seen in the Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon.

They’re joined by Kristin Scott Thomas (Fleabag), Jonathan Pryce (The Crown), Jack Lowden (Dunkirk), and Rosalind Eleazar (Rellik) amongst others.

The series was written by Will Smith (not that one), who previously contributed to Veep, The Thick of It, and Avenue 5 alongside Armando Iannucci. It was directed by James Hawes, who previously worked on Doctor Who and Black Mirror.

Is there a trailer?

Yes, there is. You can watch it right here.

Is it based on a book?

Yes, it is. Slow Horses adapts Mick Herron’s book of the same name – itself the first in an eleven-book series, the most recently published of which was Bad Actors in 2022.

How and where can I watch it?

The first two episodes of Slow Horses will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on Friday 1 April. Four further episodes will be released weekly thereafter.

Slow Horses will be six episodes total.

Will there be a series 2?

A second series of Slow Horses has been confirmed. It’s set to adapt Mick Herron’s sequel book, Dead Lions.

Why should I watch it?

Because it looks like a gripping espionage drama brought to life by a talented cast.

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