Slow horses has been renewed for a fifth season on Apple TV Plus – setting a new record for the streaming service.
Per Variety, the hit spy thriller series returns for a fifth outing on one of the world's top streaming services after the company's film and TV division saw fit to greenlight a new entry. Season 5's rapid progression follows on the heels of the release of the Season 3 finale on December 27, 2023, and 18 months afterward. Slow horses seasons 3 and 4 were announced simultaneously in June 2022.
It's not a huge surprise to see Slow horses renewed for a new term. The show starring Gary Oldman is one of Apple's most popular and critically acclaimed TV originals. Indeed, according to the review aggregator's website Rotten tomatoesThe series' three previous seasons scored 92% or higher among fans and critics alike – proving that Apple TV Plus is more than a sci-fi fan's paradise and/or a one-man show in multi-award-winning football comedy series Ted Lasso.
For those who don't know the program: Slow horses is based on Mick Herron's Slough House book series, which follows the trials and tribulations of MI5 rejects who are seemingly resigned to spending their days completing mundane paperwork and other trivial tasks. Despite being led by the irritable, slothful Jackson Lamb (Oldman), Slough House's band of misfits – known as the titular 'slow horses' – always find a way to embroil themselves in threats to Britain's national security .
It's a classic underdog story with relatable and hilarious characters (Oldman's cruelly humorous Lamb is the best of the bunch) and fun, spy-based plots that will be both exciting and delightful. It's no surprise then that it features prominently in our best Apple TV Plus show guide.
A quick renewal – and a milestone for Apple TV Plus
How happy we are to hear that Slow horses returns for season 5, we're even happier that the show has finally broken a long-standing Apple TV Plus record.
Until now, no other Apple TV original had made it past four seasons. There are indeed only two other series – For all humanity (ongoing) and Servant (ended after season 4) – have moved beyond Apple's seemingly desirable three-season plan. Regarding the former, however, Apple has not yet officially confirmed a fifth season For all humanity's continued popularity means I expect it to be renewed.
Even if it is so, it is so Slow horses which broke new ground by galloping past the Season 4 milestone and making Apple TV Plus history. Other popular shows may follow suit, such as The Morning Show, Foundation, Mythical questAnd The Snoopy Show. In the meantime, For all humanity's showrunners have a seven-season plan for their sci-fi hit, so Slow horses could be overshadowed for years to come if it doesn't return for more entries after season 5.
But for now, Lamb and his merry band of maverick operatives can bask in the glow of being the first Apple TV Plus original to break the four-season barrier. If that's not worth a celebratory nap for the ever-slow Lamb, I don't know what is. While we wait Slow horses seasons 4 and 5 are released, check out one of these six exciting thrillers.