‘Slow Horses’ Actor Kyle Soller Discusses His Character’s Demise and On-Screen Fights

Kyle Soller, who portrayed the enigmatic assassin Jim in the Apple TV+ series ‘Slow Horses,’ shared insights into his character's development, his on-screen demise, and the challenging fight choreography he experienced during Season 6.

Soller and co-star MyAnna Buring, who played his partner Jane, worked to develop their characters beyond the typical two-dimensional Russian assassins often depicted in media. "Everyone was really up for not making them two-dimensional Terminator Russian assassins, and MyAnna and I loved that," Soller stated. The actors collaborated with writer Gaby Chiappe and director Adam Randall, drawing from Mick Herron's source material to craft compelling backstories for Jim and Jane. Soller described their approach as aiming to portray characters who, despite their profession, are fundamentally real people with relatable feelings, which he believes makes them more interesting.

Their characters' dynamic was explored through moments of professionalism intertwined with hints of deeper connection. Soller noted that he and Buring experimented with conveying this tension non-verbally and verbally throughout the shooting process. He also elaborated on Jim's internal conflict, suggesting that while Jane was more committed to their dangerous line of work, Jim harbored a desire for an escape, a sentiment he explored through his character's engagement with everyday UK life.

Key Moments and Fights

Season 6, Episode 4 featured a brutal bathroom fight sequence where Jim, played by Soller, killed the fan-favorite character J.K. Coe, portrayed by Tom Brooke. Soller described the scene as intense, noting his friendship with Brooke and their collaborative effort in developing the fight. "It was very sad to see him go, but he got his hits in for sure," Soller commented on Coe's departure.

Soller's own character, Jim, met his end in Episode 5 following a car crash and subsequent struggle in the woods with River (Jack Lowden) and Sid (Olivia Cooke). The fight, which concluded with Jim being drowned in a lake, was described by Soller as "scrappy" and "primal." He praised the show's stunt coordinators for their ability to make the action both psychologically truthful and realistic. "The stunt coordinators are really incredible on 'Slow Horses.' I mean, they just have a knack for making it psychological and truthful, and being very real at the same time," he said.

The visual of swans, both white and black, in the background of the drowning scene was a detail Soller found particularly striking and serendipitous. He also commented on the potential of co-star Jack Lowden as a successor for the James Bond role, stating, "He's awesome, and he's so good at what he does in 'Slow Horses.' Why shouldn't he make the bump up to a double 0?"

Soller also contributed to character details, including selecting costumes that reflected his vision of Jim as a banker by the weekend. He recalled his time on set fondly, particularly mentioning a retro bowling alley set that he found transportive and enjoyable.

New episodes of ‘Slow Horses’ Season 6 are released Wednesdays on Apple TV+.