How Apple TV Turned Slow Horses Into the Most-Watched Spy Show in the World

This streaming service has quickly become known for consistently delivering high-quality TV shows. It offers a wide variety of genres, but it’s particularly praised for its spy series, Slow Horses. What began as a hidden gem has become a major success, and many consider it to be one of the best spy shows currently on television – and perhaps the standout show in Apple TV+’s collection.

The series Slow Horses centers around a team of MI5 agents who function more like a quirky, close-knit family than a typical spy unit. Led by the sharp but abrasive Jackson Lamb, portrayed by Gary Oldman, the show also stars Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, and Hugo Weaving. After five seasons, Slow Horses has become a surprising hit on Apple TV and is considered one of the

How Slow Horses Grew to Become One of the Most Popular Spy Shows on Television

While it might not be Apple TV+’s most prominent show, Slow Horses is quickly gaining popularity. Data from FlixPatrol, which tracks streaming numbers across various platforms, shows it’s currently the eighth most-streamed series on Apple TV in the US. It’s held that position for all three weeks of data available from 2026, which is remarkable considering new episodes haven’t been released since October. The show is even performing better than some of Apple TV+’s more heavily promoted titles.

The popularity of Slow Horses is largely thanks to the overwhelmingly positive feedback it’s received. The show boasts a remarkable 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is especially impressive for a complex spy thriller. Every season has been critically acclaimed, with seasons 2 and 4 earning perfect 100% scores. The other three seasons all maintain high ratings in the 90s. These consistently excellent reviews prove Slow Horses is a leading force in the world of television spy dramas.

A standout feature of Slow Horses is Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Jackson Lamb. Lamb appears as a grumpy, unkempt spymaster who often comes across as rude and difficult. But beneath that rough exterior, he deeply cares for the team of spies at Slough House, and uses his harsh persona to motivate them. He’s also incredibly intelligent, skillfully hiding his brilliance behind a deliberately messy appearance.

Unlike many streaming shows that spell everything out, Slow Horses respects its audience and trusts them to keep up with the complex world of Slough House, which makes it a thrilling watch. That’s why it’s one of the best shows on television right now. All five seasons offer captivating stories that are incredibly addictive, making it easy to binge-watch episode after episode as you try to figure out what happens next.

What’s Next for Slow Horses?

The popular series Slow Horses has been a hit for five seasons, and now it’s been renewed for more! Fans can look forward to continuing to follow Jackson Lamb and the team at Slough House, and we already know which of Mick Herron’s novels will be used as the basis for future seasons.

Season 6 of Slow Horses will be based on the novels Joe Country and Slough House, which are the sixth and seventh books in the series. Following that, the show plans to adapt the eighth novel. If Seasons 6 and 7 are as well-received as the first five, there’s a good possibility Slow Horses will be renewed for an eighth season, likely covering the final book in the series, Clown Town.

Mick Herron’s latest spy novel, Clown Town, came out last year, and he’s hoping to write more books in the series. While the release date and plot of the tenth book are still unknown, the future of the story also depends on the success of the Apple TV show, which is currently confirmed for seven seasons. There’s enough story to potentially reach Season 8, and even beyond if Herron continues to publish new books.

The series Slow Horses remains incredibly popular on streaming platforms, consistently earning praise for its well-written stories and talented actors. Viewers are eagerly anticipating the next chapter and the new challenges facing Jackson Lamb and the team of agents at Slough House.

Slow Horses is available to stream on Apple TV+.

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2026-01-23 05:36