Slow Horses on Apple TV+ is based on Mick Herron’s spy novel, Slow Horses. You can read my review of Herron’s novel here. This six-episode series follows a group of dysfunctional spies who MI5 has exiled to Slough House (aka, Slow Horses). One of the spies in the Slough House purgatory is River Cartwright (who is blamed for a botched training exercise at a British Airport). Cartwright is frustrated by the make-work and drudgery of Slough House and launches his own investigation of a right-wing journalist.
Events accelerate when a right-wing terrorist group kidnaps a British student and threatens to behead him in 24 hours.
Although I’ve only seen the two episodes made available by Apple TV+ (additional episodes will be released each Friday), I’m impressed by the quality of the actors. Gary Oldman plays the head of Slough House (mostly by drinking and farting) until he senses something strange is happening over at MI5’s Regent’s Park headquarters.
Jack Lowden is impressive as the bitter River Cartwright who resents his punishment at Slough House and wants back into the real spy game. Kristin Scott Thomas excels as the glacial head of MI5 who is not above double-dealing. I love Olivia Cooke as “Sid” Baker who is a lot more than she appears to be. If you’re in the mood for a sophisticated spy series, I highly recommend Slow Horses! GRADE: A (so far)
Cast:
- Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb
- Jack Lowden as River Cartwright
- Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner
- Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright
- Olivia Cooke as Sidonie “Sid” Baker
- Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish
- Dustin Demri-Burns as Min Harper
- Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy
- Paul Higgins as Struan Loy
- Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho
- Antonio Aakeel as Hassan Ahmed
- Chris Reilly as Nick Duffy
- Freddie Fox as Spider Webb
- Brian Vernel as Curley
- Sam Hazeldine as Moe
- Joey Ansah as Agent Pierce
Like the book series. Can’t get Apple TV without a firestick or Roku so I can’t watch this right now.
Steve, I’m behind on Mick Farren’s series. Apple TV+ has already ordered a Second Season.
Loved the first episode.
Patti, me too! I’m eager to see this whole series. And, I’m rejoicing that Apple TV+ has ordered a Second Season.
All these fancy, expensive “Plus Channels” are just HIGHWAY ROBBERY sanctioned by the FCC!
BAH! BUllS**T! BALONEY!
Imagine if other businesses did this. “Oh, you want fresh milk and eggs? That’s in our Plus, Extra Cost section”. “Oh, you want a book published within the last year? That’s in our “Plus Section”. But you know what P.T. Barnum said…
Rick, you should form a Rick Robinson Consulting Company and then write off Netflix, HULU, HBO Max, Disney+, and Apple TV+ as “business expenses.”
Mick Herron, not Farren.
Jeff, thanks for the heads up! I typed Herron and WORDPRESS changed it to Darren without asking me. You and Jackie would love SLOW HORSES! The opening episode’s first five minutes reminded me of 24!
I have watched Slow Horses–at the race track! Bada-bing, bada-boom!
Bob, I alway knew you liked to horse around!