One of the latest Apple TV+ series is an impressive British spy thriller story with Gary Oldman in the lead role. The show deals with a bunch of down-on-luck MI5 agents who have been assigned the infamous “Slough” department, the destination for the spy service’s rejects aka the “slow horses”.
Earning rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, Slow Horses is a treat for fans of similar shows within the spy and espionage genre. Even though it is largely a thriller, the show’s dry humor would also drive fans towards spy comedies.
Hunters (2020-) - Stream On Amazon Prime
Hyperviolent and satirical in equal amounts, Hunters revolves around a group of mercenaries who target Nazi war criminals in the post-World War period. As they indulge in their bloody adventures, it becomes interesting to see how far these “hunters” can go in losing their humanity.
Dylan O’ Brien plays a convincing lead while Al Pacino appears in one of his best recent roles. Pacino’s overbearing guardian-like aura in the team is comparable to the unlikely leader that Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb acts like in Slow Horses.
Archer (2009-) - Stream On Hulu
A meta-satire on the spy genre as a whole, Archer deals with the global misadventures of a gifted yet unhinged secret agent and his equally chaotic team. As a parody of James Bond and several other super spies, Archer is filled with obscure literary and cinematic references that spy fiction aficionados would be impressed with.
Much like the Slough House department in Slow Horses, the International Secret Service in Archer celebrates its imperfect spies with a touch of dark comedy. They aren't the best at their job but their career-ending mistakes still make for quality entertainment.
The Boys (2019-) - Stream On Amazon Prime
Set in a world where superheroes can be abusive and authoritarian tyrants, The Boys finds powerless vigilantes teaming up to wage their own war against the superhumans.
In the middle of all the drama is Billy Butcher, a bloodthirsty mercenary who is hell-bent on seeking personal revenge through the annihilation of superhero society. The tumultuous chemistry between Karl Urban’s foul-mouthed Billy and Jack Quaid's mild-mannered Hughie is quite reminiscent of the relationship that novice River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) and seasoned veteran Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) share in Slow Horses.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) - Stream On Crackle
Based on the John Le Carre novel of the same name, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy kicks off with the murder of a top shot in Britain’s secret service. When the next agent in line takes charge, a larger conspiracy involving a Russian mole is unearthed.
Filled with twists and turns in the course of seven episodes, the British spy drama is thrilling and yet humanizes its characters. Alec Guinness’ protagonist George Smiley is no super-spy and relies on stealth instead of over-the-top combat. For this realistic approach, the classic British miniseries might impress fans of a British subversion of the genre like Slow Horses.
Severance (2022-) - Stream On Apple TV+
Severance is a workspace thriller with themes of existentialism and alternate reality. With a star-studded ensemble featuring Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, and John Turturro, Severance revolves around a mysterious firm that "surgically" separates its workers' personal and professional lives. When new truths are discovered, chaos ensues in the workplace.
Along with Apple TV+ shows like Pachinko and Slow Horses, Severance signals a bold new age of fresh storytelling for streaming platforms. Apple TV+ had already been gaining traction with previous releases but the new 2022 shows are taking the originality a notch higher. If viewers have binged their way through Slow Horses, then Severance can be their next pick.
Get Smart (1965-1970) - Stream On Apple TV+
Created by Mel Brooks, Get Smart is the quintessential spy parody. Each episode features the incompetent spy Maxwell Smart as he toys around with extravagant cars and gadgets to save the day.
With secret agent-centric movies increasing in scale over the years, Get Smart's humor still seems to be oddly relevant. So, if audiences need a little more than the deadpan comedy of Slow Horses, Get Smart would be a more slapstick take on the same genre.
Veep (2011-2019) - Stream On HBO Max
The turbulent political life of Vice-President Selina Myers forms the crux of this social satire that went on to become one of the best comedies on HBO. Not only does the show poke fun at Myers' unpalatable decisions but also at the fallacies of American politics itself.
What's interesting is that one of the main writers and producers on Veep, William James Smith, also went on to create Slow Horses. Both shows represent a different brand of comedy with Veep being a landmark work of American satire while Slow Horses relies on dry British humor. Noting the contrast in both cases can be quite amusing.
Killing Eve (2018-2022) - Stream On Hulu
Eve is a secret agent who encounters the assassin Villanelle. As the two cross each other's violent paths, they develop a strange fondness for each other. It is this love-hate relationship that forms the crux of Killing Eve.
Anchored by the performances of Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, Killing Eve is arguably one of the most popular comedies right now. The lead characters serve as efficient subversions of the spy and assassin archetypes in pop culture. Further, the first season opens with Eve's frustration as an MI-5 agent, a thematic element that resonates with much of the lead cast on Slow Horses.
War & Peace (2016) - Stream On Apple TV+
A TV adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's classic book, War & Peace chronicles the French invasion of Russia in the early 19th century. The lives of several characters intertwine with each other as they all seek to find different purposes during this turbulent time.
The historical drama is driven by a major ensemble cast including the likes of Paul Dano, Lily James, and Jack Lowden. This miniseries was Lowden's first major screen credit as his role as Russian soldier Nikolai Rostov helped in building his popularity. With Lowden's lead performance in Slow Horses, curiosity around his career is bound to regenerate. War & Peace will be the perfect place to start in this case.
Spooks (2002-2011) - Stream On BritBox
Spooks is a stylistic spy thriller series that features a group of MI-5 agents who are ready to go to all lengths to prevent mayhem in Britain's domestic territory.
While spy fiction classics like the James Bond movies showcase the might of a single spy, Spooks value teamwork above everything. Even Slow Horses' exploration of the spy agency relies on a similar theme of unity despite all odds that the titular spies face.