Gary Oldman reflects on Slow Horses career highlight while Season 4 of the Emmy-winning series captivates audiences, sharing his excitement for playing Jackson Lamb and what makes the show special. The latest episodes on Apple TV+ have generated buzz, as Oldman discusses his character and the team behind the gripping spy drama.
Oldman’s Joy in Portraying Jackson Lamb
Gary Oldman has enjoyed inhabiting the role of Jackson Lamb, the grumpy and unpredictable MI5 operative at the center of Slow Horses. In his words, the experience on set is often lighthearted and filled with laughter.
“We often laugh actually, while we’re doing it. We crack up and then and do retakes,”
—Gary Oldman, Actor. Oldman credits the enjoyment of the project not just to the rich character but also to the collaborative spirit on set.
“It’s been an extraordinary show to work on, not only because the material is very good and obviously the character is just a dream. But it’s been really made all the more special because of the people working on the show. And that is really across the board from makeup, costume, DP, camera operator, clapper loader, although they’re not really clapper loaders anymore,”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
Returning to work with the cast and crew is a genuine pleasure for Oldman, who emphasized the sense of camaraderie.
“I love regrouping after a break and then getting back and seeing everyone. The set is very easy to work on in that respect. Just an incredible bunch of people and that really has made it, I think, one of the highlights of my career.”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
Understanding the Appeal of Slow Horses
Adapted from Mick Herron’s popular novels by showrunner Will Smith, Slow Horses follows a band of MI5 misfits relegated to Slough House, a purgatory for agents who have stumbled in their careers. The reluctant heroes are led by Oldman’s Jackson Lamb, whose abrasive manner masks a cunning intellect and deep loyalty.
The cast for the fourth season features familiar names like Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Kadiff Kirwan, Freddie Fox, Chris Reilly, and Joanna Scanlon. This year, new additions such as Tom Brooke, Ruth Bradley, James Callis, and Hugo Weaving inject fresh dynamics and intrigue into the group. Hugo Weaving stands out as a new, menacing mercenary, further intensifying the suspenseful atmosphere that fans have come to love.
Quality Writing Drives the Series Forward
The show’s writing has been frequently praised for its wit, psychological depth, and ability to weave compelling mysteries within short six-episode arcs. Oldman’s dedication to performing brilliant material stands out.
“If the source material is good, then it dictates what you do. It’s a psychological and an emotional map that you follow. When you come up against bad writing, that’s when you feel that you’re working too hard for it. If you’re breaking a sweat, then you know that you’re not in the hands of a very good writer. It’s a joy to speak this stuff and to navigate, both physically and psychologically, through the world of these people in this character,”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
Each season uncovers more of Jackson Lamb’s backstory, painting a complex portrait of his motivations and tough exterior.
“As the seasons go on and incrementally more is revealed of Jackson, you as an actor are forming a more complete picture of him. And then of course we have Season 5, and that pulls back another layer of the onion to his character and really why he is the way he is,”
—Gary Oldman, Actor. His defensive habits and cryptic nature are crucial to both storytelling and tension.
“It works in a way as a defense mechanism. He’s not gonna let you in. You’re not going to really get to know him. And that really is part of his skill also, because by doing that, he has an edge over you. I mean, we’ve said it before; people around him are playing checkers and Jackson Lamb is playing chess,”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
Season Four’s Ensemble and Narrative Evolution
This latest season maintains the show’s tradition of tightly woven, self-contained mysteries, while also leaving space for character development. The introduction of new key players, especially Tom Brooke and Hugo Weaving, keeps the dynamics fresh and the stakes high. The creative team’s ability to pack rich storytelling and nuanced writing into just six episodes per season is part of its magnetic quality.
Oldman explained the creative expectation driving each new installment.
“As far as making the next one as good, if not better, you can’t drop the ball,”
—Gary Oldman, Actor. The urgency to match audience expectations is ever-present.
“There’s a lot of people involved that come together. We have a standard. The audience are expecting something from us and we cannot disappoint. That’s part of the reason why we do six episodes with a short break, and then we do another six, because who wants to invest their time in characters in a show and then wait two or three years for it to come back? We are very conscious of making the next one as good, if not better. So that’s the first thing; audiences come back to the show and they’re not disappointed.”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
Everyday Characters in Extraordinary Circumstances
One secret to the show’s popularity may be its honest portrayal of flawed individuals coping with both ordinary and high-stakes challenges. Oldman pointed out the contrast between the glossy world of classic spy fiction and Slow Horses’ more grounded approach.
“We’re so used to glamor and the world of James Bond and tuxedos, martinis and casinos that I think the appeal of it is it’s these very dysfunctional and often ordinary people who have to deal with all the stuff in their life who go to the launderette, who may have to make their car payments, have problems in their relationships and are dealing with a mortgage,”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
He emphasized their relatability.
“They’re dealing with all the problems that we all deal with. They’re ordinary people who do this extraordinary thing for a living. That’s a part of its appeal. It’s a spy show, but they are the every man. And of course, some of the things that come out of Jackson Lamb’s mouth, I think maybe secretly we watch the show and think, we may have in our time had a bullying horrible boss and you think sometimes, ‘Oh, I wish I could have a comeback like that.’ He doesn’t give a flying monkeys, you see? He’s seen it all and can’t track with the bureaucratic side of it all, of the Park and all of that crap. He’s, he’s been there, seen it, and he has no, uh, time for it. I think the kindest thing that Jackson can do is make life so miserable for the people that work for him, so that they get out of the game, because they don’t wanna end up [like him]. I think that’s probably the kindest thing that he can do. And yet, for all of his rough edges and bullying, he’s incredibly loyal and would take a bullet for them.”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
Industry Recognition and Oldman’s Reputation
Oldman, who has earned Oscars and BAFTAs for his acclaimed career, touched on his influence among fellow actors and the positive feedback he receives from the acting community.
“I think it’s very flattering. It doesn’t occupy my thought process a lot, but it’s always nice to hear that someone says something nice about your work. I’m a big one for, if I run into someone and I like their work or I like a performance, I’ll say so. I even will drop a note to people and write them how much I liked their performance or their work. Less than a week ago I dropped a note to Tom Hardy and I said, ‘I really like your work in MobLand.’ I’ve written to different people over the years. I think it’s a nice thing. I think it’s a nice thing when a colleague likes your work. It’s a lovely thing.”
—Gary Oldman, Actor.
The Road Ahead for Slow Horses
With the fourth season of Slow Horses now available for streaming on Apple TV+, anticipation is building for Season 5, set to premiere on September 24. The writing, cast expansion, and Oldman’s nuanced portrayal of Jackson Lamb promise continued thrills. As the narrative delves further into complex espionage and character revelations, the show stands as a landmark achievement for everyone involved, cementing its place in the modern spy genre and in Gary Oldman’s impressive career.
