Slow Horses Season 6 Is Almost Here — But Gary Oldman’s Latest Comments Have Fans Wondering How Much Longer The Spy Drama Can Continue. With Season 6 premiering September 16 and Season 7 already filmed, Oldman says Mick Herron’s books remain a major reason the series still works. Another novel, Clown Town, could even provide material for Season 8 — but the final decision on the show’s future may come down to Apple.

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Slow Horses has built a reputation for doing something increasingly rare on television: delivering consistently strong seasons without losing the qualities that made the series so popular in the first place.

The Apple TV spy thriller, based on Mick Herron’s novels, has combined sharp writing, standout performances, dark humor and compelling characters since its debut. The first two seasons arrived in 2022, followed by a new season each year.

Season 6 is set to premiere on Wednesday, September 16, while Season 7 has already been filmed. But with more source material still available, the question remains: just how long can Slow Horses continue?

Gary Oldman, who plays Jackson Lamb, the irritable head of Slough House — the division for MI5 officers who have fallen out of favour — recently addressed that question in an interview with TV Insider.

Gary Oldman Says the Books Keep the Series on Track

‘Slow Horses’: Gary Oldman on How Long Series Will Last

For Oldman, the biggest reason to keep returning is simple: he remains interested in the stories and enjoys working with the people behind the show.

Speaking about Season 6, the actor said he was particularly drawn to the storyline in which the Slough House team, known as the “slow horses,” become targets.

But the source material is also a major advantage. Herron’s novels provide the series with an established foundation, helping the writers avoid the kind of increasingly implausible storylines that can sometimes affect long-running television dramas.

Oldman explained that viewers invest significant amounts of time in long-form television, only to occasionally reach a point where a series takes a dramatic turn that makes them question that investment.

He does not believe Slow Horses is in danger of reaching that stage because the show has Herron’s books to work from.

Rather than having writers reach a later season and struggle to invent another storyline, the series can continue drawing from the author’s existing work.

“I think that is a virtue,” Oldman said, explaining that the books help keep the drama focused.

Could There Be an Eighth Season?

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There is already another Herron novel, Clown Town, that could potentially provide the basis for Season 8. And that may not be the end of the available material, with Herron continuing to write books as well as novellas.

Oldman, however, says the ultimate decision does not rest with him.

As long as Herron continues producing stories and Apple remains happy with the series, there is a path for Slow Horses to continue. But whether that happens — and for how many more seasons — is ultimately up to Apple.

“Mick’s going to keep writing books, I guess,” Oldman said. “And if Apple is happy with us and keeps writing the checks, they’re the ultimate — they’ll be the ones to keep it going or end it.”

For now, fans have at least two more seasons to look forward to, with Season 6 arriving on September 16 and Season 7 already filmed.

When does Slow Horses Season 6 premiere?

Slow Horses Season 6 premieres Wednesday, September 16, on Apple TV.