Staff Writer at Screen Rant by day, horror enthusiast by night.
Diving into the back catalogues of stars from Game of Thrones reveals some incredible TV shows that deserve just as much attention as the landmark fantasy epic itself. Among them, few series stand out quite like Slow Horses, Apple TV+’s razor-sharp espionage drama.
Featuring Jonathan Pryce, best known to Game of Thrones fans as the High Sparrow, Slow Horses is a five-season UK spy thriller series like no other. The story follows a group of disgraced MI5 agents relegated to Slough House, a dumping ground for failed operatives. It's in these agents that the show finds much of what makes it such a masterpiece, including Jonathan Pryce's character. Jonathan Pryce plays David Cartwright in Slow Horses, a retired spymaster whose legacy looms large over the narrative. Alongside Jackson Lamb, Gary Oldman’s foul-mouthed and deceptively brilliant leader of the misfit team, Cartwright adds the same dignified gravitas to the cast as he did as the High Sparrow. However, sharing this isn’t the only thing Slow Horses and Game of Thrones have in common. Game of Thrones and Slow Horses may exist in completely different genres, but they share one crucial trait: exceptional quality. Both shows excel in character-driven storytelling and layered narratives. For spy thriller fans who haven’t yet explored Slow Horses, it’s essential viewing, and not just because of Jonathan Pryce. Slow Horses Is A Masterclass In Spy Thrillers A Gritty And Character-Driven Reinvention Of The Spy Genre Just like Game of Thrones in the fantasy TV show arena, Slow Horses sits at the apex of its genre. While its’ a high-quality and incredibly watchable show in its own right, what truly sets Slow Horses apart from traditional spy thrillers is its refusal to glamorize espionage. It takes a more grounded approach than more-or-less anything else featuring covert operations or intelligence work, and is all the better for it. Instead of sleek operatives and high-tech gadgets, Slow Horses focuses on flawed individuals dealing with the consequences of failure. Gary Oldman’s character, Jackson Lamb, embodies this approach perfectly, presenting a protagonist who is as unkempt as he is brilliant, subverting expectations at every turn. The runaway success of Slow Horses among spy thriller fans is built on this grounded realism. Intelligence work is portrayed as messy, bureaucratic, and often frustrating. This authenticity creates a tension that feels more immediate than the explosive set pieces typical of the genre. When danger arises, it carries weight because the characters feel vulnerable and human rather than invincible. Of course, this wouldn’t work unless the writing was of a high quality, and Slow Horses can proudly claim to be exceptional in this regard throughout every single one of its five seasons. Each episode carefully balances slow-burning suspense with sharp, often dark humor. The dialogue crackles with wit. This allows Slow Horses to explore the psychological toll of espionage in a realistic way without becoming overly bleak. Importantly too, Slow Horses also rewrites the traditional approach to spy thrillers by focusing on failure rather than success. Most spy stories center on elite agents at the top of their game. Slow Horses flips this idea, showing that even those who stumble can still play crucial roles in high-stakes operations. This shift means the show always feels fresh to those who’re schooled in the tropes and genre staples on-screen espionage tends to rely on across every movie or TV show. Ultimately, Slow Horses succeeds because it understands that intelligence work and covert operations are as much about people as they are about action or politics. By grounding its story in flawed characters and realistic stakes, it delivers a new approach to spy thrillers that feels both truly innovative and deeply compelling. Why Slow Horses Keeps Getting Better Momentum And Character Growth Elevate Every Season One of the most impressive aspects of Slow Horses is how it builds momentum from its very first season and never lets it slip. The initial episodes establish a strong foundation, introducing the dysfunctional team of Slough House and their place within the larger intelligence apparatus of the UK. From there, each subsequent installment builds on this setup, pushing the story in new and intriguing directions every time. Rather than resetting the narrative with each new season, Slow Horses allows consequences to carry forward. Decisions made in earlier episodes continue to shape the characters and their relationships seasons later, creating a sense of continuity that rewards long-term viewers. This approach gives the show a cumulative power that many episodic thrillers lack. Subscribe to the newsletter for Slow Horses and spy-drama picks Get expanded coverage of Slow Horses, spy thrillers, and standout TV by subscribing to the newsletter. Find thoughtful analysis, curated recommendations, and deeper context on shows and performances that matter. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Character development plays a crucial role in the upward trajectory of Slow Horses. Jackson Lamb gradually reveals layers beneath his abrasive exterior, while River Cartwright evolves from an impulsive rookie into a more measured operative. Meanwhile, Jonathan Pryce’s David Cartwright adds emotional depth and gives Jackson Lamb’s history a sense of legacy, particularly as the pair’s shared past begins to intersect with present events. The writing of Slow Horses, which is of a high quality from the first episode as is, also becomes more confident over time. Plotlines grow more intricate without sacrificing clarity, and the stakes continue to rise in ways that feel organic rather than forced. Each season builds on the last, refining the show’s tone and sharpening its narrative focus. The quality of the scripts ties into pacing too, which is an essential component when it comes to Slow Horses getting better and better as it goes along. The Apple TV+ show strikes a near-perfect balance between slow-burn tension and sudden bursts of action. As it progresses, it becomes increasingly adept at timing these shifts, ensuring that every episode feels both purposeful and engaging. In a genre often defined by inconsistency, Slow Horses stands out for its reliability. It doesn’t just maintain quality, it enhances it. This steady evolution transforms the show from a strong debut into one of the most accomplished spy thrillers in television history, proving that sometimes, the best stories are the ones that keep building. 88 9.5/10 Slow Horses 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Crime Drama Comedy Thriller Release Date April 1, 2022 Network Apple TV+ Showrunner Douglas Urbanski Directors Adam Randall, James Hawes, Jeremy Lovering, Saul Metzstein Writers Mark Denton, Jonny Stockwood 8 Images Close Cast See All
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