MI5 boss declares himself a Slow Horses fan
MI5 boss declares himself a Slow – MI5’s director general, Sir Ken McCallum, has openly expressed his admiration for the spy drama Slow Horses, calling it a favorite among his peers. The Apple TV+ series, which some critics have dubbed the “anti-James Bond,” follows a group of underperforming MI5 agents who are relegated to a dilapidated office space known as Slough House. It features Sir Gary Oldman in the role of Jackson Lamb, a gruff yet effective leader of the team.
During a video post on MI5’s Instagram account, McCallum was asked about his relationship with MI6 colleagues. “You might want to say there is room for both James Bond and Slow Horses,” he remarked, before clarifying, “I happen myself to be a Slow Horses man.” He emphasized that the agencies, along with the police, collaborate seamlessly to protect national security, each focusing on their specialized roles.
“The sort of slightly shady, dirty side of espionage. It’s your PG Tips, Tescos version of it I guess,”
— Sir Gary Oldman, in a 2024 BBC interview promoting the show’s fourth season.
Series background and cast
The show is adapted from Mick Herron’s popular novel series of the same name, which has been praised for its satirical take on espionage. Season six is set to debut in September, with season seven scheduled for 2027. Alongside Oldman, the cast includes Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as MI5 Director General Diana Taverner, Jack Lowden as agent River Cartwright, and Sir Jonathan Pryce as Lowden’s on-screen grandfather, a retired British intelligence official.
