The gang at Slough House is back—and this time, things are getting even messier. Slow Horses, Apple TV+’s razor-sharp spy thriller with a darkly comic edge, officially returns for Season 5 on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
The season kicks off with two episodes at launch, followed by weekly installments until October 22, and from everything we’ve seen and heard so far, it looks like the MI5 misfits are stumbling into their biggest—and strangest—conspiracy yet.
What’s Season 5 About?
Season 5 adapts London Rules, the fifth novel in Mick Herron’s award-winning Slough House series. The story zooms in on Roddy Ho, the socially oblivious tech whiz of the crew, who suddenly shows up with a mysteriously glamorous girlfriend. Naturally, the rest of the team is suspicious—and rightly so. As bizarre events unfold across London, including apparent random attacks and political instability, Jackson Lamb’s team is forced to figure out how it all connects.
Expect everything Slow Horses fans love: layered espionage, biting humor, and a cynical take on modern intelligence operations. But this season, there’s a stronger focus on internal political manipulation and digital-era surveillance, drawing real-world parallels to how governments increasingly weaponize information.
Returning Cast + New Additions
The core cast returns in full force:
- Gary Oldman as the gloriously gruff Jackson Lamb
- Jack Lowden as the idealistic River Cartwright
- Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner
- Christopher Chung (Roddy Ho), Rosalind Eleazar, Ruth Bradley, James Callis, and Jonathan Pryce also reprise their roles.
But the big casting twist this season? Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso) joins the ensemble as Zafar Jaffrey, a sharp-tongued, image-obsessed politician with secrets of his own. His inclusion promises to stir the pot in Westminster and MI5, making him one of the key figures to watch.
Season 5 Structure & Style
Season 5 runs for six episodes. It sticks to the now-familiar Apple TV+ release cadence: the first two episodes drop together on September 24, then it’s one per week until the finale. This staggered rollout mirrors previous seasons and keeps viewers engaged across multiple weeks.
Tonally, the show continues to walk a masterful tightrope between bleak British satire and genuinely tense spycraft. Its strength lies in making the mundane bureaucracy of intelligence work feel both relatable and terrifying.
Already Filmed: Season 6 & Beyond
Apple isn’t slowing down. Season 6 has already wrapped filming and is expected to debut in late 2026 or early 2027, depending on scheduling. Even more impressively, Season 7 is officially greenlit, cementing Slow Horses as one of Apple TV+’s longest-running originals.
Season 6 will reportedly merge two of Herron’s novels (Joe Country and Slough House) into a single narrative arc, suggesting a more ambitious, wide-spanning season with international stakes and even more emotional fallout.
There are also whispers that Apple is developing spinoffs centered around specific characters, especially after Slow Horses consistently ranks among its top 10 most-watched series globally.
Quick Look: Season 5 Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | September 24, 2025 |
| Episodes | 6 (2-episode premiere, then weekly) |
| Based On | London Rules by Mick Herron |
| Main Cast | Oldman, Lowden, Thomas, Chung, Pryce |
| New Cast | Nick Mohammed as Zafar Jaffrey |
| Next Seasons | Season 6 filmed, Season 7 greenlit |
If you’re not caught up on Slow Horses yet, now’s the time. All four previous seasons are streaming now on Apple TV+, and with the buzz around Season 5 ramping up fast, you won’t want to fall behind. Whether you’re here for the dry wit, the chaotic spy action, or just to watch Gary Oldman chain-smoke insults, Slow Horses is proving it’s far more than a slow burn—it’s a high-stakes juggernaut.
Key Takeaways
- Slow Horses Season 5 is dropping on Apple TV+ in summer 2025, and Season 6 is already filming.
- Gary Oldman is back as Jackson Lamb, leading his ragtag crew through more MI5 chaos.
- Season 5 should adapt Mick Herron’s “London Rules,” sticking to the series’ pattern.
Key Details About Slow Horses (S5) on Apple TV+
Apple TV+’s British spy drama “Slow Horses” is coming back for its fifth season, and honestly, it’s about time. Slough House’s band of outcasts are in for more espionage shenanigans, blending dark humor with thrilling spy stuff in a way that’s hard not to enjoy.
Season 5 Release Date and Premiere Information
So here’s what we know: Apple TV+ has officially confirmed Season 5 of “Slow Horses,” but they’re still keeping the exact date under wraps. Since production wrapped up in October 2024, it’s a safe bet we’ll see new episodes somewhere in mid-to-late 2025.
The show’s release pattern has been pretty consistent, so if you’re the planning type, you can probably pencil it in for the first half of 2025.
Apple TV+ usually drops new seasons of “Slow Horses” about 6-8 months after filming ends. If that holds, expect some official news in early 2025.
This series has become a standout hit for Apple TV+, earning plenty of praise and building a loyal following.
Plot Overview and Main Themes
Season 5 picks up with the same misfit spies at Slough House—a sort of purgatory for MI5 agents who’ve really messed up. Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb is still at the helm, equal parts brilliant and, well, kind of gross.
You can expect the main cast to return for another round of dangerous missions and office politics. What makes this show tick is the way it balances tense spy drama with a kind of bleak, British wit.
Based on Mick Herron’s “Slough House” novels, Season 5 should follow the fifth book, keeping up the tradition of one book per season.
What’s different about “Slow Horses” is how it pulls back the curtain on the less-than-glamorous side of spying—lots of paperwork, bureaucracy, and people trying to redeem themselves after major screwups.
Episode Count and Structure
If you’ve watched before, you know the drill: Season 5 is expected to have six episodes. That’s been the sweet spot so far—enough to tell a tight story without any dead weight.
Episodes usually run 45-60 minutes, which gives the writers room to juggle the season’s main plot and the ongoing character arcs. There’s a mix of standalone stories and bigger, season-long threads.
Each season adapts a single book, so you get a complete story with plenty of room for character development. Season 5 should fit right in.
Apple TV+ likes to kick things off with a double-episode premiere, then go weekly. Not a bad way to get people hooked and keep them coming back.
Official Trailer and Promotional Material
After the Season 4 finale, Apple TV+ released a short teaser for Season 5. It’s more of a taste than a full meal—no big spoilers yet.
Full trailers usually show up a month or two before the show drops. As the release date gets closer, keep an eye out for more promos, cast posters, and maybe some behind-the-scenes sneak peeks.
Expect the marketing to focus heavily on the return of Oldman, Jack Lowden, and Kristin Scott Thomas—this espionage series wouldn’t be the same without them.
Apple TV+ has been ramping up its promo game for each new season, which probably means you’ll see a lot more about “Slow Horses” as summer 2025 approaches.
Cast, Characters, and Story Arcs in Slow Horses Season 5
Season 5 of Slow Horses brings back the familiar team of MI5 outcasts, but don’t be surprised if a few new faces shake things up. Jackson Lamb’s crew at Slough House are still stumbling through dangerous situations, and the stakes seem to get higher every time.
Returning and New Cast Members
Gary Oldman is back as Jackson Lamb, still managing to be both disgusting and brilliant. Jack Lowden returns as River Cartwright, the ambitious agent who just can’t seem to catch a break. The core group features Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa Guy and Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho, the team’s resident tech whiz.
Kristin Scott Thomas reprises her role as Diana Taverner, the MI5 executive who always seems to have a hidden agenda. Saskia Reeves is back as Catherine Standish, the office’s steady hand.
New this season: Aimée-Ffion Edwards as Shirley Dander and Kadiff Kirwan, both bringing fresh energy to the group. Jonathan Pryce returns as David Cartwright, River’s grandfather and a legend in the intelligence world.
Oh, and Hugo Weaving joins the cast, though they’re keeping his character under wraps for now.
Major Characters and Their Roles
Jackson Lamb keeps leading the “slow horses” with his usual mix of sarcasm and oddball wisdom. His dynamic with River Cartwright is still a highlight—tough love, occasional respect, and plenty of eye-rolling.
River’s still gunning for redemption, hoping to prove himself and maybe, just maybe, get out of Slough House. His connection to his grandfather David keeps dragging old secrets into the present.
Louisa Guy and Roddy Ho both get more to do this season, and their skills are more important than ever. Catherine Standish keeps the place running, while Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) is busy pulling strings back at MI5 HQ.
Shirley Dander is stepping up, too—her temper and drive make her a wild card, but she’s quickly becoming a key part of the team.
Story Arcs and Ongoing Narratives
Season 5 seems to be following Mick Herron’s “London Rules,” so you can expect new threats that push the team to their limits. Some unfinished business from earlier seasons might come back to haunt them, too.
Istanbul is mentioned as a key location, hinting at a bit more international intrigue this time around. The tension between Slough House and MI5 proper is still simmering, with Diana Taverner’s schemes never far from the action.
Personal stories keep evolving—especially for River, who’s still dealing with his family’s complicated legacy. Lamb’s relationship with his crew shifts as well; underneath the insults, there’s real loyalty.
The show’s signature blend of tense spy drama and dark humor is still front and center, and with all the buzz, don’t be surprised if it racks up a few more awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans have plenty of questions about what’s next for the Slough House gang. Here’s what we know (and what we’re still waiting to find out) about Slow Horses Season 5.
When is the release date for Slow Horses Season 5 on Apple TV+?
Season 5 is officially on the calendar for summer 2025, with September looking like the most likely launch window.
Apple TV+ has the date locked in, so fans finally have something solid to look forward to.
Who is included in the cast of Slow Horses Season 5?
Pretty much all the main players are back—Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, Jack Lowden, and Kristin Scott Thomas, to name a few.
The spy drama has always leaned on its strong cast, and Season 5 doesn’t look like it’ll break that streak.
Where can I watch Season 5 of Slow Horses?
You’ll need an Apple TV+ subscription to catch Season 5. The show’s exclusive to the platform and remains one of its biggest draws.
How can I find the trailer for the fifth season of Slow Horses?
No trailer just yet—those usually show up a month or two before the premiere. Keep an eye on Apple TV+’s socials and website as summer 2025 gets closer.
How many episodes are there in the fifth season of Slow Horses?
No official word, but every season so far has had six episodes, each about an hour long. Odds are, Season 5 will stick to that tried-and-true formula.
Will there be a continuation or Season 6 after Slow Horses Season 5 on Apple TV+?
So, has Apple TV+ said anything about Season 6? Not exactly—at least, not yet. But if you look at the pattern so far, it’s honestly a good bet. In fact, they’ve renewed the series two seasons ahead before, which isn’t something you see every day.
Given how much people seem to love the show (and critics too, apparently), it feels pretty likely we’ll get more. Still, if you’re hoping for official word, you might have to hang tight until after Season 4 drops. Fingers crossed, right?
