Slow Horses Season 6 Premieres on Apple TV
Apple TV launched the sixth season of its acclaimed espionage drama Slow Horses on September 16, 2026, with the first episode now available for streaming. The six-episode season will roll out weekly through October 21, with episodes running approximately 50 minutes. The premiere comes just one day after director Saul Metzstein won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for last season's finale, and hours after Apple TV confirmed the show has been renewed for two additional seasons—bringing it through season eight.
Season six sees the dysfunctional team of MI5 outcasts at Slough House on the run, as Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) embroils them in what Apple TV describes as "a fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge." The season is based on Mick Herron's novels Joe Country and Slough House, and marks a significant behind-the-scenes shift: Gaby Chiappe takes over as lead writer and co-executive producer from Will Smith, who departed after season five. Smith's absence is palpable, as several critics note a move away from the show's signature dark comedy toward a more conventional thriller tone.
Shocking Premiere Deaths Set the Stage
The season six premiere, titled "Circle of Life," opens with two major deaths that reverberate throughout the season. River Cartwright's grandfather, David (Jonathan Pryce), succumbs to his long decline from dementia, leaving River (Jack Lowden) unanchored. "He's been losing his grandfather slowly... And with his grandfather gone... he's unanchored and he is vulnerable," co-executive producer Gaby Chiappe told TV Insider. The episode also features the return of Olivia Cooke as Sidonie "Sid" Baker, whose character was presumed dead in season one.
At David's funeral, River confronts his father, mercenary Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving), who delivers a brutal response before driving off. The emotional stakes are higher than ever, with River described as "so alone" and struggling to find his place without his grandfather's moral ambiguity looming over him.
A Changing Show Behind the Scenes
The departure of Will Smith, whose work on The Thick of It and Veep infused Slow Horses with its sharp comic edge, has not gone unnoticed. The Guardian's review notes that season six feels "more straight-faced" and argues the show is "starting to run out of ideas—even if it's as slick and confident as ever." The review also suggests that the show's longevity has made it harder to suspend disbelief, with characters like River Cartwright surviving increasingly improbable situations.
Chiappe, whose previous credits include The Level and The Beast Must Die, faces the challenge of steering the series without Smith's distinctive voice. While some critics worry about creative erosion, Apple TV remains confident: the two-season renewal ahead of season six's premiere signals strong faith in the show's future. The series has maintained a rapid release cycle, averaging more than one season per year since its 2022 debut.
Critical Reception Remains Mixed but Passionate
Early reviews are divided. While some outlets like Awards Buzz call it the show's best season yet, The Guardian's review is more cautious, praising the performances and production values but questioning whether the show's central conceit can sustain itself. Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb, once a brilliantly conceived comic creation, is said to have "started to burn out" in season five, and the promotion of supporting characters like Roddy Ho (Christopher Chung) has been met with mixed reactions.
Yet the show's core appeal—misfit spies navigating a decaying British intelligence apparatus—remains potent. The relocation of traditional spy thrills to gritty urban settings continues to be a tonic, and the cast, including Kristin Scott Thomas and Jack Lowden, delivers consistently strong work.
The Future of Slough House
With two more seasons confirmed, Slow Horses is now firmly established as one of Apple TV's longest-running dramas. The show's ability to attract top-tier talent—from Oldman to Weaving to Cooke—and its willingness to adapt multiple books per season suggest a clear roadmap ahead. However, the creative shift away from Smith's comic sensibility raises questions about whether the series can maintain its unique tone.
For now, fans can enjoy the weekly rollout of season six, with episodes titled "Daddy Issues," "Resurrection," "Lost and Found," "Sayonara," and "Judgement Day" following the premiere. As the Slow Horses find themselves on the run, the stakes are higher than ever—both on screen and behind the scenes.
Slow Horses streams weekly on Apple TV through October 21.
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