Slow Horses

Since making its debut in 2022, Slow Horses’ singular take on the spy thriller genre has made it one of television’s most critically acclaimed, widely popular, and utterly captivating series. As a new season begins, River Cartwright (Jack Lowden, Dunkirk, TIFF ’17; Benediction, TIFF ’21) had hoped to escape the purgatory of Slough House, after the glimmering hope of a promotion seemed just in his grasp. But the endless machinations of newly-ascended First Desk Diana Tavener (Kristin Scott Thomas, Darkest Hour, TIFF ’17) land Cartwright back on MI5’s island of misfit toys, under the reluctant governance of Jackson Lamb.

After the chaos of last season’s entanglement with Libyan operatives, accidental assassinations, and Roddy’s (Christopher Chung) love life, the Horses could use a breather. But as River deals with personal matters, spurring the return of ruthless mercenary — and River’s father — Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving, The Royal Hotel, TIFF ’23), another maelstrom of revenge and retaliation for old wounds begins to form.

Characteristically clever, and unsentimental with a clear-eyed affection for the riff raff of espionage and high intrigue, Slow Horses maintains a propulsive energy and dark humour into its sixth season. The robust ensemble cast, featuring Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Joanna Scanlan, Olivia Cooke (also at this year’s Festival in A Talent for Murder), and Samuel West, render this espionage thriller a quick-witted and always entertaining ride through the less-than-glamorous world of spycraft.

GEOFF MACNAUGHTON