Slow Horses director reveals why season 6 combines two books

The first five seasons of Slow Horses adapted one of Mick Herron's books per season, but that model is changing for the upcoming sixth season.

This new run of the show is based on two novels, adapting books six and seven of Herron's books, Joe Country and Slough House, and merging them into one story.

Now, speaking exclusively with Radio Times, the director of this new season, Adam Randall, who previously also helmed season 4, has revealed why that decision was made.

"With season 6, we decided that we needed to combine two books, which was the first time we'd done that," Randall said. "So I read them both. I read Joe Country and Slough House. They're both fantastic. Joe Country would make the most amazing film, but it was felt that there was not a huge amount of story for a number of our characters."

Randall continued: "Taverner’s not in it a great deal, Lamb hasn't got a huge amount to do, so it was sort of the decision to combine them and find a way for them to work together. But then we had the opportunity to draw on both of them throughout the process, which was really fortunate."

Those who have read the books will recognise that the synopsis for season 6 more closely aligns with the plot of Slough House, as Randall suggests.

That synopsis says: "Season 6 sees the Slow Horses on the run as Diana Taverner embroils them all in a fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge."

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The cast for season 6 includes Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Saskia Reeves, Christopher Chung, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Rosalind Eleazar, Joanna Scanlan, Samuel West, Ruth Bradley, Tom Brooke, Sir Jonathan Pryce and Hugo Weaving.

Meanwhile, Lenny Rush is joining as a new character and Olivia Cooke is reprising her season 1 role of Sid Baker.

Slow Horses is available to stream on Apple TV. Season 6 will be released from 16 September. Start your seven day free Apple TV trial.

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Authors

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.