Slow Horses future confirmed ahead of season 6 premiere

There's less than 24 hours to wait until the return of Slow Horses for its sixth season of Apple TV, but we just got some major news regarding the show's future.

While the series had already been renewed for a seventh season, one which has been filmed already, the hit spy drama is now officially coming back for an eighth run as well.

The eighth season will be adapted from the ninth book in Mick Herron's series, Clown Town. This is because season 6 has adapted two books at once – Joe Country and Slough House – meaning the order remains consistent.

Gary Oldman will officially be returning as Jackson Lamb, while the synopsis for season 8 reveals the return of Diana Taverner, meaning Kristin Scott Thomas will almost certainly be back as well.

The synopsis for season 8 says that it "sees Jackson Lamb and Diana Taverner face off in their most explosive confrontation yet. When a botched attempt to blackmail the Park puts Taverner on the offensive, it is up to Lamb to unravel one of MI5’s darkest secrets and put an end to it once and for all".

Jay Hunt, creative director, International, Apple TV, said in a statement: "Slow Horses continues to charm audiences all around the world and I’m delighted that Jackson Lamb and his gang of lovable misfits will be back for an eighth season. Their acerbic take on the high-octane world of espionage is completely unique."

Season 8 will be adapted and executive produced by Ben Vanstone (A Gentleman in Moscow, All Creatures Great and Small), who also wrote season 7. Seasons 1-5 came from Will Smith, who left the show ahead of season 6, which was adapted by Gaby Chiappe.

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Meanwhile, Adam Randall will be back as director, having also helmed seasons 4 and 6.

While Oldman is currently the only confirmed returning cast member, we are expecting plenty of other key figures to be back, depending on their characters' fates in seasons 6 and 7.

Season 8 will see the show catch up with Herron's books, and with Clown Town having been released in 2025. The writer has revealed plans for more novels in the series, but given the adaptation's quick turnaround time it is not sure how or if the show will continue moving forward.

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.