Slow Horses season three

The third season of Apple TV+’s Slow Horses begins with an extended chase sequence across Istanbul. It’s the kind of grand set piece typical of blockbuster spy thrillers as it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until its conclusion. The show then cuts to Slough House where the eponymous team of MI5 rejects are preoccupying themselves with the thankless job of filing boxes of paperwork that will never see the light of day again. This contrast between the glamorous espionage action and the mundane perfect encapsulates what this Apple TV+ show is all about. It’s as gripping as some of the best spy thrillers with a pitch-perfect sense of humour, and the third season is shaping up to give fans more of what makes this series work so brilliantly.

Following the opening chase sequence, the third season kicks off by reacquainting viewers with the core team of barely competent spies. River (Jack Lowden) is being berated by Catherine (Saskia Reeves) to put some effort into his work while the rest of the office find their own ways of passing the time. Then there’s Gary Oldman as the team’s loutish boss Lamb, whose dishevelled appearance causes a commotion among fellow patients at a fancy private health clinic’s waiting room. Events quickly escalate, however, when one of their ranks is kidnapped by an unknown party, with it being the Horses’ job to figure out who.

It’s here the show gets back into its stride. New clues come at a decent clip to keep the action constantly moving forward. There are more chases, secret meetings, and a daring infiltration during the second episode, with each scene being as engaging as the last. Even when the stakes are life or death the show doesn’t lose its sharp sense of humour and quick-witted one-liners.

While the entire cast do an exceptional job of balancing the serious spy action with comedy, it’s Oldman who stands apart as the show’s highlight. His foul mouth and cavalier attitude make for some of the funniest moments. But underneath his grimy appearance, his spy craft is as well-refined as his quips.

Slow Horses is a genre combination that shouldn’t work on paper. But thanks to excellent writing and performances, the latest season is further proof of how well this formula can work when done right.

Andrew Murray

Slow Horses season three is released on Apple TV+ on 29^th November 2023.

Watch the trailer for Slow Horses season three here: