MI5 Director General Lauds 'Slow Horses'
Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, has identified himself as a fan of the Apple TV+ espionage drama, "Slow Horses." The series, which some critics have characterized as a departure from the traditional James Bond archetype, features Sir Gary Oldman in the role of Jackson Lamb, the unconventional leader of a group of MI5 agents who have been sidelined to a division known as Slough House.
Collaboration Over Rivalry Between Agencies
In a video shared on MI5's official Instagram account, Sir Ken was asked about his views on MI6, often perceived as a rival agency. He responded by acknowledging that while both James Bond and "Slow Horses" have their place, he personally leans towards the latter. Sir Ken emphasized that any notion of rivalry is unfounded, stating, "the truth is they are our friends, they are our colleagues."
Speaking at the National Archives, Sir Ken further elaborated on the collaborative relationship between the two intelligence agencies, along with the police and other entities. He highlighted their unified approach, with each organization leveraging its specific expertise to collectively ensure national security.
About the Series
"Slow Horses" is an adaptation of Mick Herron's best-selling novel series of the same name. The show first aired in 2022, with its sixth season scheduled for release in September and a seventh season anticipated in 2027.
Sir Gary Oldman portrays Jackson Lamb, the disheveled yet highly capable head of Slough House. In a 2024 interview with the BBC to promote the show's fourth season, Sir Gary described the series as exploring "the sort of slightly shady, dirty side of espionage."
The cast also includes Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as MI5 Director General Diana Taverner, Jack Lowden as agent River Cartwright, and Sir Jonathan Pryce as Lowden's on-screen grandfather, a retired senior British intelligence official.