Slow Horses Season 6: The Acclaimed Spy Thriller Gears Up for Its 2026 Return

11 January 2026 Television Drama

Why Slow Horses Matters in Modern Television

The Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning spy thriller premiered in April 2022 and has aired a season every year since, establishing itself as one of the most consistently excellent series on television. Based on Mick Herron’s novels, the series tells the story of British intelligence agents who have committed career-ending mistakes and subsequently work in a dumping ground department of MI5 called Slough House. What sets Slow Horses apart is its unique blend of espionage thrills with dark humour, led by Gary Oldman’s starring role as Jackson Lamb, the cantankerous but brilliant spymaster.

Season 6 Production Wraps with Rapid Turnaround

Slow Horses season 6 has officially wrapped filming, with Gary Oldman confirming the news in late October 2025. The production demonstrates remarkable efficiency in an era when many shows take years between seasons. Season 6 adapts two Mick Herron novels: Joe Country and Slough House, and will feature 6 episodes. The sixth season was greenlit even before its fourth season ended in October 2024, highlighting Apple TV+’s confidence in the franchise.

What Fans Can Expect in Fall 2026

Patterns suggest late September to early November 2026 is most likely for the premiere date. The synopsis reads: “Season six sees the Slow Horses on the run as Diana Taverner embroils them all in a fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge”. The confirmed cast includes Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, and the ensemble of beloved characters who have made the series a critical darling.

Looking Beyond: Season 7 Already Greenlit

In July 2025, ahead of the fifth series premiere, Apple TV+ renewed for a seventh series which is to be based on Bad Actors. Gaby Chiappe is taking over as head writer for the sixth series, with Ben Vanstone for the seventh, following original showrunner Will Smith’s departure. This ensures the franchise continues its impressive momentum, offering fans years of quality espionage entertainment ahead. The series’ ability to maintain annual releases while delivering award-winning quality remains unprecedented in modern streaming television.