Full Breakdown
Slow Horses Secures Eighth Season on Apple TV+
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Renewal Announcement
On September 15, 2026 Apple TV announced that the Emmy- and BAFTA-winning spy drama *Slow Horses* has been renewed for an eighth season. The six-episode run will adapt “Clown Town,” the ninth novel in Mick Herron’s *Slough House* series. The renewal follows the scheduled premiere of season 6 on September 16, 2026 and the earlier confirmation of season 7.
Background & Context
*Slow Horses* debuted in 2022 and has become Apple TV’s longest-running original drama. The series has earned three Emmy Awards—including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Saul Metzstein, season 5)—and five BAFTA Television Awards. Rotten Tomatoes has consistently rated each season “Certified Fresh,” with perfect 100 % scores for two installments.
Production Details
The eighth season will be produced by See-Saw Films, a Mediawan-group company. Executive producers include Sir Gary Oldman, Mick Herron, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Douglas Urbanski, Adam Randall, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gail Mutrux, Billy Bowring and Helen Gregory. Ben Vanstone will adapt the novel and serve as executive producer, while Adam Randall returns as director. The core cast is expected to feature Oldman as Jackson Lamb and Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner.
Data & Statistics
- Emmy wins: 3 (Outstanding Directing × 2, Outstanding Writing × 1) – Apple TV press release.
- BAFTA wins: 5 (Writer, Drama; Editing, Fiction × 2; Sound, Fiction × 2).
- Rotten Tomatoes: Two seasons hold a perfect 100 % critics’ score; the series maintains a “Certified Fresh” status across all five completed seasons.
- Episode count: Each season consists of six episodes; season 6 runs from September 16 to October 21, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Gary Oldman told *Vanity Fair* that his loyalty to the “slow horses” stems from a desire to protect them from the “bureaucratic monster” of MI5 and MI6. Director Adam Randall said season 6’s darker, chase-thriller feel was inspired by his own youth experiences.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No official premiere date for season 8 has been disclosed. Decider projects, based on Apple’s historical release pattern, that the eighth season could arrive in 2028, while other outlets list the date as “TBC.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Slow Horses continues to charm audiences all around the world and I’m delighted that Jackson Lamb and his gang of lovable misfits will be back for an eighth season. Their acerbic take on the high-octane world of espionage is completely unique,” — Jay Hunt, creative director of international at Apple TV
- “There’s a real loyalty to the slow horses and protecting them from that bureaucratic monster, which is MI5, MI6,” — Gary Oldman, films with executive
- “He gives the impression he doesn’t care, when in reality, I think he cares more than most,” — Gary Oldman, films with executive
- “Apple TV Apple TV "I spent a lot of time there in my youth, and so I thought it would be great to do a chase thriller there," Randall explained.” — Adam Randall, director
What’s Next
Season 6 will roll out weekly episodes from September 16 through October 21, 2026. Production on season 8 is slated to begin shortly after season 7’s completion, following the same six-episode format. While Apple TV has not set a release window, industry observers expect the show to maintain its annual cadence, positioning season 8 for a likely 2028 debut. Fans can watch the existing catalog—seasons 1-5 are already streaming—while awaiting further updates.