Fans will not wait long for more misfit spies. Apple TV+ says Season 5 of Slow Horses starts streaming Wednesday, 24 September 2025. Two episodes drop on opening day, with one new chapter each Wednesday until 22 October.
Plot springs from the sixth novel
The new run adapts London Rules, Mick Herron’s sixth book in the Slough House series. In the story, bizarre incidents rattle London while computer whiz Roddy Ho suddenly claims a girlfriend—raising eyebrows across the shabby MI5 backwater.
Oldman leads the charge again
Oscar winner Gary Oldman returns as the slovenly yet brilliant Jackson Lamb, joined by Christopher Chung, Rosalind Eleazar, Jack Lowden, and the rest of the reluctant team. Showrunner Will Smith blends razor-sharp humor with tense spy craft, keeping the tone equal parts farce and thriller.
“London rules” explained
In tradecraft slang, “London rules” means protect yourself from blame when missions go sideways—unlike “Moscow rules,” where a slip can be fatal. The phrase hints that Season 5 will pit Lamb’s crew against political fallout as much as physical danger.
Apple’s early-order strategy
Apple first ordered Season 5 back in January 2024, only weeks after Season 3 ended, showing confidence in the series’ rising viewership. Although the streamer has not announced a sixth season, past practice suggests renewal news could arrive well before the new episodes finish airing.
Why it matters
Slow Horses has become a cornerstone of Apple TV+’s prestige slate, winning praise for its sharp writing and Oldman’s unfiltered performance. By locking in a firm premiere date, Apple signals that Slough House will continue anchoring its fall lineup—and perhaps lure more readers to Herron’s novels.
