Slow Horses returns with 'Circle of Life' as Apple TV orders season eight
Slow Horses opened its sixth season with "Circle of Life" on Wednesday, Sept. 16 on Apple TV.
The Emmy and BAFTA award-winning espionage drama stars Academy Award winner Sir Gary Oldman and will release in a weekly pattern, one episode each Wednesday through Oct. 21. Six episodes. One story serialised across six weeks. The run arrives with future work already lined up, after the series was renewed for season eight, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The premiere centres on River Cartwright, the MI5 agent played by Jack Lowden. River is dealing with the death of his grandfather, David Cartwright, played by Jonathan Pryce. At the same time, the team at Slough House learns that two former Slough House agents have been killed.
Funerals bring unwanted guests. Frank Harkness, played by Hugo Weaving, appears at David Cartwright's funeral. Harkness is River's mercenary father, and his arrival sharpens the questions around the deaths.
Behind the camera, the season keeps to the show's habit of using one director for a whole season. Adam Randall directed all six episodes and spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the return. Randall won an Emmy for his work on season four, while Saul Metzstein, who directed season five, also won an Emmy. Randall said season six draws on two different books.
For viewers catching up, the set-up is simple. Slow Horses follows a team of British intelligence agents posted to Slough House, a dumping-ground department for officers who have messed up but not been sacked. Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the Slough House boss, whose management style is blunt and deliberately messy. Kristin Scott Thomas plays Diana Taverner, First Desk, meaning the senior officer in charge of operations. Saskia Reeves is also featured in season six.
Apple TV unveiled a first look at the season in June, followed by a trailer in August, and hosted the world premiere at TIFF in September, according to Apple TV.
Off screen, the premiere has revived talk about James Bond. Oldman has said he favours Lowden, the Scottish actor, for the role and has his "fingers crossed" for him, according to Deadline. Oldman suggested Lowden is on the shortlist. No final casting decision has been made.
The next Bond film is set up at Amazon MGM Studios, with Denis Villeneuve attached to direct and Steven Knight writing the script. For fans, this means two chases at once. River must realise who is killing former agents, while Lowden's name stays in the Bond conversation without a decision attached.
