Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb in Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed series “Slow Horses,” a role that has garnered significant attention as the show enters its fourth season. Despite initial Emmy snubs, the series is now nominated for nine awards, including Best Drama Series.
Oldman’s portrayal of Lamb, a notably unrefined and irascible spy, has captured viewers’ imaginations. Known for his unconventional methods and often abrasive demeanor, Lamb leads a team of disgraced MI5 agents, collectively dubbed the “Slow Horses,” who are relegated to Slough House—a bureaucratic backwater away from London’s power centers. His character is distinguished by an unkempt appearance, a tendency to smoke and drink on the job, and a blunt, politically incorrect attitude.
“I think it’s been a slow burn,” Oldman reflects on the show’s growing popularity. “More people are now coming up to me and saying, ‘I really like the show.’ I’ve become that guy on TV, which I kind of like, actually.”
Showrunner and executive producer Will Smith describes Lamb as a complex and enigmatic figure. “You’re meeting him at the end of his arc—he’s burned out—and then you’re kind of unpacking what made him this way and given little glimpses of the man he was and can be when he has to be,” Smith says.
The series, based on Mick Herron’s Slough House novels, contrasts Lamb’s grittiness with the polished professionalism of his nemesis, Diana Taverner, portrayed by Kristin Scott-Thomas. The dynamic between Oldman’s rough-hewn Lamb and Scott-Thomas’s refined Taverner adds depth to the show’s narrative.
“Slow Horses” features an ensemble cast including Jack Lowden, Jonathan Pryce, Christopher Chung, Rosalind Eleazar, Aimee Ffion-Edwards, Kadiff Kirwan, and Saskia Reeves. Notably, Mick Jagger, who co-wrote the show’s theme song, is among its high-profile fans.
The series’ rise to prominence, reflected in its Emmy nominations, underscores its appeal as an underdog story. Oldman, who relishes the chance to reunite with his co-stars at the awards ceremony, credits much of the show’s success to Herron’s compelling writing.
Critics have praised the series, with the Los Angeles Times questioning the delay in recognition and Empire magazine highlighting Oldman’s scene-stealing performance. “Lamb is about as far away from the tuxedo-wearing, Savile Row-tailored James Bond as you can get and yet, he’s the best spy we’ve had on screen for years,” New Musical Express asserts.
Smith acknowledges the enthusiastic fanbase that has helped elevate the show, noting that it has reached a “critical mass” of acclaim. As Oldman continues to build his legacy of iconic characters, Lamb stands out as a distinctive addition, alongside roles like Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald, Count Dracula, and Winston Churchill.
Oldman reflects on the contrast between his portrayal of Lamb and his previous role as George Smiley, humorously noting, “Some wit said I’d gone from George Smiley to George Smelly, which I wish I’d thought of.”
As “Slow Horses” prepares for its fifth season, the buzz surrounding Oldman’s performance and the show’s growing acclaim promise to keep the series at the forefront of television drama.
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