6 reasons we're thrilled Slow Horses is back on our TV screens
As Jackson Lamb, River Cartwright and the whole Slough House team crashed back onto Apple TV+ with a bang last week (literally), we’ve been reminded once again why we love the show so much.
Whether you’re a Slow Horses fan like us or have never watched an episode, you’ve likely heard the hype surrounding the arrival of series 4 recently. If you are new to the show, allow me to catch you up: Slow Horses is a darkly humorous BAFTA Award-winning espionage drama following a dysfunctional team of British intelligence agents who serve in an MI5 dumping ground department known unaffectionately as Slough House.
Jackson Lamb – played fantastically by Gary Oldman – is a veteran agent and head of Slough House. Secretly, he’d do anything for his team (not that he’d ever tell them that).
“People are sent to Slough House for one of two reasons,” says Jackson. “One, they’re an absolute loser, and two, they’ve unwittingly pissed someone off.”
With episodes airing weekly on Apple TV+, series 4 got off to an explosive start last Wednesday. Don’t worry, there are no major spoilers for episode one ahead (but if you fear even the tiniest clue on a new watch - look away now!).
Why we’re excited for Slow Horses series 4
Here’s the top reasons behind why we can’t wait to see how the rest of the new season will unravel...
Gary Oldman’s hilarious put-downs
Jackson Lamb is slovenly, revolting and rude – but we love him nonetheless for his dark wit and epic one-liners that have you belly laughing despite yourself. A personal favourite from episode one:
Emma Flyte (MI5’s new head of security): “Jackson Lamb, I heard you’re in charge of the rejects.”
Jackson: “They don’t like being called that.”
Emma: “What do you call them?”
Jackson: “The rejects.”
And this exchange, also with MI5’s head of security:
Jackson: “I’m going back to bed.”
Emma: “Would you also consider a shower?”
Jackson: “It’s a tempting offer but I don’t think that’s appropriate right now..”
Long may Jackson Lamb’s reign continue.
Kristen Scott Thomas' withering looks
MI5’s deputy director general, Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) may have spent the last three series babysitting Jackson Lamb, but now it seems she has another man-child putting her nose out of joint in the shape of MI5’s new Director General, Claude Whelan (James Callis).
We’ve loved seeing Diana and Jackson’s relationship play out thus far – with Diana making zero exceptions for Jackson’s disgusting behaviour – so it will be interesting to see how she handles Claude, who’s clearly out of his depth in his new role as First Desk at The Park.
The twists and turns
The first episode of the new series saw more than its fair share of action and plot twists that had our heads spinning 360 degrees. The series opened with a bombing at a shopping centre, a very bloody bathroom (we won’t say whose!) and a lie that’s turned the Slow Horses' world upside down. It also looks like we’re heading over the Channel to France for some of this season. Quelle surprise!
Will we see River Cartwright and Louisa Guy become more than friends?
MI5 agents River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) and Louisa Guy (Rosalind Eleazar) have developed a close relationship, with episode one showing River opening up to Louisa about his concerns for his grandfather, retired senior MI5 officer David Cartwright (Jonathan Pryce) and his increasing forgetfulness.
Right now the pair are friends who clearly deeply care for each other, but could we see something more romantic develop between the two this series?
What will Catherine Standish’s role be now she’s quit MI5?
At the end of series 3, we saw Catherine Standish (Saskia Reeves) hand in her resignation. But, in episode one we discovered that Jackson has been slow to file the paperwork. Is Catherine still an MI5 agent? Could we see her return to Slough House. As another quick-witted character with some incredible lines, we certainly hope so.
The new cast members
Finally, we see some new recruits to the cast this season, and we can’t wait to find out the role they’ll play in the drama. These include:
Tom Brooke (played by JK Coe), a new agent consigned to the depths of Slough House. What career-ending decision led him there?
Frank Harkness (played by Hugo Weaving), a former CIA operative turned remorseless mercenary.
Moira Tregorian (played by Joanna Scanlan), Catherine Standish’s replacement at Slough House.
Emma Flyte (played by Ruth Bradley), MI5’s new head of security.
Claude Whelan (played by James Callis), the new Director General at MI5.
Watch series 4 of Slow Horses weekly, with new episodes landing on Wednesdays.
You Might Also Like
