The sixth season of the MI5 drama "Slow Horses" is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on September 16, and early reviews are labeling it the series' best to date. The new season, based on Mick Herron's novels "Joe Country" and "Slough House," introduces Gaby Chiappe as the new head writer, taking over from original showrunner Will Smith.
Season six features the return of the "loveable losers" of Slough House, a group of disgraced MI5 agents, in a storyline marked by a series of murders targeting anyone connected to their department. The season premiere reportedly opens with the death of a familiar character. Concurrently, the agents face a delay in their paychecks, and their leader, Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman, discovers they have all been mysteriously removed from the MI5 database.
Critics have lauded the season for its "thrilling storytelling" and "deftly applied comedy." Ben Dowell of The Times described season six as potentially the best one yet, despite a "decidedly gloomy" mood. He singled out Lenny Rush's performance as the "excellent new character" Reece Nesmith. Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com agreed, calling it the show's best outing and praising its pacing, stating that "There’s no 6-episode anything on television this year that hums like the sixth season of Slow Horses, an outing that’s entertaining, suspenseful, and honestly moving."
Nicole Gallucci of Decider.com noted that the show's production strategy of filming seasons back-to-back has paid off, resulting in a "consistently stellar" series with "sharp writing, standout performances, and deliciously dark humor." Collider's Carly Lane praised the return of past fan favorites, calling it a reward for long-term viewers. She noted that these episodes are "inextricably connected to some of the biggest moments to date," suggesting that new viewers may need to catch up on previous seasons. Lane also highlighted Jack Lowden's performance as River Cartwright, calling it one of his best roles.
David Brown of the Radio Times awarded the season four stars, describing it as a "high-wire act of laughs and thrills." He added that in its quieter moments, "Slow Horses remains the funniest workplace comedy on television."
The six-part season six of "Slow Horses" will release new episodes weekly on Apple TV+ until October 21.