REVIEW: ‘Slow Horses’ Is Still Sharp, Hilarious, And Thrilling Five Seasons In

© Apple TV+

Slow Horses is back with its fifth season for its yearly spy adventure, and once again, it proves why it’s one of the most consistently entertaining shows on television. What makes it so special is that it never feels like it’s going through the motions; instead, it finds fresh ways to put Jackson Lamb and his ragtag squad of misfits in the middle of gripping espionage plots while still leaning into the biting humor and darkly comic tone that fans have come to love. Watching this group of unlikely heroes stumble their way into saving the day remains as engaging as ever, and the formula still works beautifully.

Gary Oldman returns as the fan-favourite Jackson Lamb, with Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Christopher Chung, Aimee Effion-Edwards, and Saskia Reeves all reprising their roles. Hiba Bennani and Nick Mohammed are the new entrants this time around. Saul Metzstein, who directed season 3, returns to direct Season 5. This season adapts the book London Rules, where a mysterious group of mercenaries are trying to create Chaos in the heart of London.

Even five seasons in, the series hasn’t lost a step: it’s sharp, funny, and thrilling in equal measure. I had reservations going into this season, given that Metzstein was recurring, as I thought that season 3 was the weakest season so far. It wasn't disappointing, but just ended up being a victim of its own incredibly high standards. But I was pleasantly surprised as this was a great season and arguably better than the last two. Metzstein really upped his game and justified his return.

His direction was focused and creative and captured the visual tone really well. Adam Randall just won the Emmy for Best Director just last week, which came as a surprise to many, but that is a testament to the standards this show has set and continues to follow. Hopefully, it leads to more eyes on the show because even five seasons in, Slow Horses is yet to get its due, and it is sad to see such a great show go unnoticed for so long.

This season strikes a terrific balance with its fast pace, tight storytelling, and avoids unnecessary subplots, which keeps every episode engaging and moving. And yes, it remains hilarious even while dealing in espionage and political danger. Few spy-thrillers mix in humor so well. It's definitely funnier than the last two seasons. The chemistry between characters works really well as always. You will believe that these people are long-time associates.

Jack Lowden in Slow Horses S5. © Apple TV+

Lamb, of course, is the backbone of the series — his foul-mouthed, imperious, and oddly paternal leadership of Slough House is a delight to watch. But the supporting cast are excellent too; seeing them save the country time and time again despite their unorthodox methods is a joy. Roddy Ho’s romantic subplot adds new shade. There are political tensions, new threats, and many moments where the stakes feel real. The plot this season is interesting, well-constructed, and interwoven with themes that feel timely. It's not perfect because some character arcs don’t fully land, and a few relationships or backstories feel underused, but those are relatively minor compared to how well most of it works.

Slow Horses season 5 does what it does best: spy intrigue, character work, laughs, and tension. It’s definitely one of the show’s best seasons, even if not quite flawless. The show could benefit from bringing back a few characters from earlier seasons or introducing bold new ones to freshen things up for season 6. Still, this season is highly recommended. The moment the season finale ends, the thought that pops up is 'when is the next season coming?' and that is the best compliment I can give this season. If you still haven't discovered this show, you're missing out.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Slow Horses © Apple TV+

About Slow Horses Season 5

Premiere Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Count: 6

Executive Producer/Showrunner:

Distribution: AppleTV+

Cast: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Christopher Chung, Aimee Effion-Edwards, Ruth Bradley, Nick Mohammed and Saskia Reeves.

Synopsis: This darkly funny espionage drama follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. Led by their brilliant but irascible leader, the notorious Jackson Lamb (Academy Award winner Sir Gary Oldman), they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.