Slow Horses (S1 & S2): Are Not Great Spies?

The Slow Horses (Seasons 1 & 2/2022) series offers a glimpse into the secret yet thrilling world of British Spies. The series focuses on the so-called failed spies of the British espionage agency MI5, as they attempt to redeem themselves. This British spy drama is based on the “Slough House” series of novels by Mick Herron.

It is worth noting that the Slough House is a dumping ground for British intelligence agents who have screwed up a case in any number of ways. Therefore, the “Slow Horses,” as they’re called, have all disgraced themselves in some way to get relegated here.” But is this leading to unhealthy rivalries within the MI5 fold?

Slow Spies (Horses) versus The Fast (MI5) Spies In Britain!?

This CWA Gold Dagger Award-winning British espionage (Book) series starring a team of MI5 agents united by one common bond: They’ve screwed up royally and will do anything to redeem themselves.

London, England: Slough House is where the washed-up MI5 spies go to while away what’s left of their failed careers. The “slow horses,” as they’re called, have all disgraced themselves in some way to get relegated here. Maybe they messed up an op badly and can’t be trusted anymore. Maybe they got in the way of an ambitious colleague and had the rug yanked out from under them. Maybe they just got too dependent on the bottle—not unusual in this line of work.

One thing they all have in common, though, is they all want to be back in the action. And most of them would do anything to get there─even if it means having to collaborate with one another.

Mick Herron | GoodReads

Spoiler-Free Review: Slow Horses (Seasons 1 & 2/UK/2022) Series

The introduction & synopsis

This espionage series boasts a lot of mystery and spycraft. In addition, it has a fast-paced, twisted storyline. And most of its key characters are well watched out. But we do not wish to share any details inadvertently, which would act as a spoiler and reveal its plot. However, we can categorically state that we loved every bit of those two mysterious forays into this spy series, so far. However, one thing that we can perhaps share in the following paragraph is the official synopsis of this British espionage drama based on a popular book series.

This series follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 – Slough House. The quick-witted spy drama follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents - and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) - as they navigate the espionage world's smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.

So, what is the basic story of the first season of this spy drama?

It is based on the Slow Horses book (Slough House #1) by Mick Herron.

So, in season one, the River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), one of the “slow horses” is bitter about his failure and about his tedious assignment transcribing cell phone conversations. But, when a young man is abducted and his kidnappers threaten to broadcast his beheading live on the Internet, River sees an opportunity to redeem himself. But is the victim who he first appears to be? And what’s the kidnappers’ connection with a disgraced journalist? As the clock ticks on the execution, River finds that everyone has his agenda.

“The Bond-esque River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) and his group of defunct MI5 spies, headed by the irascible Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), will do anything to get back into the (spy) game.”

Mick Herron | GoodReads

And what is the basic storyline of the second season of this espionage drama?

It is based on the Dead Lions book (Slough House #2) by Mick Herron.

So, in season two, the disgruntled agents of Slough House are called into action. This house is the MI5 branch. Here, washed-up spies are sent to finish their failed careers on desk duty. So, they are asked to protect a visiting Russian oligarch whom MI5 hopes to recruit to British intelligence. While two agents are dispatched on that babysitting job, though, an old Cold War-era spy named Dickie Bow is found dead, ostensibly of a heart attack, on a bus outside of Oxford, far from his usual haunts. But the head of Slough House, the irascible Jackson Lamb, is convinced Dickie Bow was murdered.

As the agents dig into their fallen comrade’s circumstances, they uncover a shadowy tangle of ancient Cold War secrets that seem to lead back to Alexander Popov, a Soviet bogeyman or the most dangerous man in the world.

How many more people will have to die to keep those secrets buried?

A great collection of the ensemble cast

Most of the senior professional actors in this spy show have won awards (or nominations) for their acting performances in their illustrative careers. Therefore, the veteran actor Gary Oldman plays the protagonist Jackson Lamb. This old spymaster Lamb is an intelligent but irascible leader of the spies who end up in Slough House due to their career-ending mistakes. He leads the pack of talented cast members, such as Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Cooke. No doubt, all of them have done a fabulous job in this spy thriller.

The conclusion

Of course, with its tight script and great ensemble cast, we get a winner in the form of this highly entertaining spy thriller. We believe that it got even better in its second season. It is a captivating spy drama when the old spy world minds like experienced Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) operate with the active assistance of the tech-savvy new-age younger spies. Assuming that you have a taste for typical British Humour, then do watch it and enjoy its jokes wrapped around the mysterious spy thriller spread across its two seasons.

It is a real old-school charm of spy-craft. And sometimes it seems that the slow horses are not great spies, but they win the race to emerge as the survivors. You might enjoy it, as this spy series is about the Brain over Brawn drama. So far, two series of this series have been released.

Hence, we have undertaken exhilarating trips into the thrilling Old-School British spy world, twice.

And we loved both the seasons.

Poster: Slow Horses (Season 1 & Season 2/2022) Series

Ratings: Slow Horses (Season 1 & Season 2/UK/2022) Series

Trailer: Slow Horses (Season 1/UK/2022) Series

Bonus YouTube Video Links: Mick Jagger - Strange Game (Official Lyric Video)

Key Details: Slow Horses (Season 1 & Season 2/UK/2022) Series

Trailer: Slow Horses (Season 2/UK/2022) Series

And, if you love the British series, then check out and read the FM Series Review of the Peaky Blinders series in our Focus Magazine, too.

Spoiler-Alert: A Peek into its 12 Episodes

Awards Won: Slow Horses (Season 1 & Season 2/2022) Series

Notably, it was nominated for 5 BAFTA Awards 2023, in these categories: Leading Actor (Gary Oldman), Supporting Actor (Jack Lowden), Editing, Sound, and Original Music.

Focus on the actor Gary (Leonard) Oldman

Gary Leonard Oldman (nickname – Gaz) has an impressive body of work. We have shared the details of the same below.

This English actor has done a quite diverse range of acting jobs in theatre, film and television in his long acting career in the entertainment industry. Notably, as an actor he has won the Oscar, BAFTA and SAG awards.

Featured Image and Poster of the Slow Horses (Seasons 1 & 2/UK/2022) series | Apple TV+.