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Slow Horses: The Apple TV+ series that has taken the BAFTA TV Awards by storm

The Apple TV+ series with Gary Oldman that you shouldn't miss

Slow Horses: The Apple TV+ series that has taken the BAFTA TV Awards by storm
Juan Carlos Saloz

Juan Carlos Saloz

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The BAFTA TV Awards nominations are here, the awards given by the British television academy that reward the best of the year. Normally, the best rated productions are those of the BBC, but there is also room for the best American fictions of all platforms.

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This year, beyond some nominations that were seen coming such as those of The Bear (Disney+), The White Lotus (HBO Max) or Dahmer (Netflix), there is a fiction that has sneaked in among the best with two nominations. Its name is Slow Horses, the platform on which Apple TV+ is broadcasted and the nominations it has achieved are for the best actors: Gary Oldman as protagonist and Jack Lowden as supporting actor.

What is Slow Horses about?

Slow Horses is an Apple TV+ original series based on the best-selling novel of the same name by British writer Mick Herron. The fiction features a stellar cast led by Gary Oldman, and has an intriguing plot full of unexpected twists and complex characters.

The series begins when River Cartwright, an MI5 officer, is sent as punishment to Bog House after a mission that goes wrong. The Bog House is, as they define it, an administrative purgatory for service rejects who are known as the Slow Horses.

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Jackson Lamb, the head of the Swamp House, is the character played by Gary Oldman. He is an agent of broken dreams; a disheveled drunk full of bad habits but with great hidden skills. Lamb and Cartwright will not get along at first, but will be forced to end up teaming up.

Although life at Marsh House is dull and monotonous, the agents soon become involved in a dangerous Regent’s Park stunt. This upends their routines forever and will bring them out into the open to redeem their sins and prove why they made it into the British intelligence service.

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Why should you watch Slow Horses?

There are many reasons why it has become one of the series of the moment. At the moment, we leave you with some of them to convince you to watch this series exclusive to Apple TV+.

First of all, the plot -which we have already detailed above- has dozens of unexpected twists that are constantly changing the direction of its two seasons. The first batch of chapters is a delight and you don’t know, at any time, what will happen next. But the second season is an even sharper twist that makes Oldman and company’s characters gain in strength.

Slow Horses season 2 | Release date, cast and news | Radio Times
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Another reason why the series is more than worth watching is because of its characters. Beyond the main plot, each of the agents of the Swamp House has a unique story and personality, and the series takes the time to explore their motivations and their relationships with each other. It is rare to find a series that takes the time to develop such complex characters and without falling into Manichaeism, and Slow Horses does this excellently.

Thirdly, the acting of the main characters is impressive. Gary Oldman plays one of the roles of his life, and speaking of someone like him that’s no small matter. But Oldman is not the only one who stands out. All the actors that make up the cast do an exceptional job, and the chemistry between them is evident in every scene.

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Another reason to watch Slow Horses is for its production design. Both the cinematography and art direction is stunning in every shot. The series has a gray and mysterious tone, and quickly transports you to common places in the noir genre. In addition, its soundtrack is memorable.

Finally, we can conclude that Slow Horses is a series with a lot to say. Throughout the plot, the series tackles important issues such as terrorism, political corruption and loyalty. But it also explores more personal themes such as redemption, loyalty and family. The series makes you think and reflect on these issues while keeping you hooked with the plot.

Juan Carlos Saloz

Juan Carlos Saloz

Cultural journalist specialized in film, series, comics, video games, and everything your parents tried to keep you away from during your childhood. Also an aspiring film director, screenwriter, and professional troublemaker.

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