‘Slow Horses’ is on fast track to the Emmys

Jacob Sarkisian
·4 min read
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Apple TV’s “Slow Horses” has quickly become one of television’s most exciting shows. Based on the book by Mick Herron, the show combines razor-sharp writing (from showrunner Will Smith of “The Thick of It” fame) with masterclass acting from the likes of Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas.

The series follows the lives of those working at Slough House, a division of MI5 where disgraced agents who have made mistakes are exiled. It’s full of wit and humor, as one would expect from a show created by an alum of “The Thick of It,” but it’s also a genuine thriller, too, as all the best spy stories are. And critics have fallen for it since its inception, continuing to heap praise on this third season.

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Fran Hoepfner (Slate) noted: “Part ‘Killing Eve’, part John le Carré lite, ‘Slow Horses’ continues to stand head and shoulders above its streaming peers when it comes to sharp and truly bingeable TV.”

James Dyer (Empire) wrote: “Forget Bond, forget Bourne — the heroes we need aren’t dapper spies in dinner suits, but disheveled misfits in curry-stained coats. ‘Slow Horses’ is the best thriller no-one’s watching, and it’s only getting better.”

Brian Tallerico (The Playlist) proclaimed: “We don’t need more James Bonds. We need more Jackson Lambs. And as many seasons of ‘Slow Horses’ as we can get.”

Nick Howells (London Evening Standard) opined: “Of course, while the plotting and set pieces are both as taut as an assassin’s sticky garrote, it’s the roll call of lovably trainwreck characters that keeps ‘Slow Horses’ galloping along so engagingly.”

Sophie Gilbert (The Atlantic) said: “This might make for a depressing real-world status quo, but on ‘Slow Horses,’ it translates into exemplary television: the most unlikely champions saving the day (and themselves) in ways that only we, the viewers, can truly appreciate.”

All of that praise translates to a jaw-dropping score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Shows with that high a score are almost always nominated at the Emmys. Indeed, this is a higher score than seven out of eight of last year’s Best Drama Series nominees. “Yellowjackets” season two scored 93%, the sophomore season of “The White Lotus” achieved a 94% grade, the inaugural season of “The Last of Us” came in at 96%, “House of the Dragon” season one scored 93%, “The Crown” disappointed with its fifth season with just 71%, the debut outing of “Andor” achieved 96%, and even the fourth and final season of “Succession” scored 97%. Only the sixth and final season of “Better Call Saul” fared better with 99%.

We are predicting that “Slow Horses” will earn its first-ever Emmy nomination for Best Drama Series, alongside “The Crown,” “The Morning Show,” “The Gilded Age,” “The Curse,” “3 Body Problem,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and “Loki.” And there are plenty of reasons to believe that “Slow Horses” could canter to the podium.

Firstly, the Apple TV+ series has done very well with awards of late, earning two BAFTA nominations earlier this year for Best Drama Series and Best Supporting Actor for Jack Lowden. It also scored four BAFTA TV Craft Award bids, which are the equivalent of the Creative Emmys. Oldman was also nominated for Best Drama TV Actor at the Golden Globes. So, “Slow Horses” is very much on the awards radar this year and that will be noticed by Emmy voters.

That this is the first TV series for film and stage stars Oldman and Thomas means a lot too. Having such respected thespians in leading roles gives a show a big boost at the Emmys. Recent Best Drama Series with such pedigree among the cast include “The Crown” starring Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce, “Succession” featuring Brian Cox, “Severance” with Christopher Walken, and “Westworld” with Jeffrey Wright and Anthony Hopkins.

And TV academy members love a good spy thriller and have nominated the likes of “Killing Eve,” “Bodyguard,” “The Americans,” and “Homeland.”

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