Apple TV+'s spy series Slow Horses is returning for yet another case in season 5, and there are already a ton of exciting updates about the new episodes. Debuting in 2022 and based on Mick Herron's novels, Slow Horses chronicles the misadventures of MI5's worst agents as they are relegated to the infamous Slough House. Though expected to push papers and have no real purpose, the determined agents often find themselves in the mix of some of the biggest threats that endanger Great Britain. Anchored by the legendary Gary Oldman, Slow Horses revolutionizes the spy thriller by being character-driven.

Though each season has been an exciting ride, season 4 kicked off with a literal bang as a terrorist plot puts the lives of Slough House agents in mortal danger. Adapting Herron's novel, Spook Street, season 4 is a clear escalation of the series, and Apple TV+ has proven to be fully invested in the ongoing narrative. Season 5 has already been renewed, and considering the show's uncanny ability to stay on schedule, will arrive sooner rather than later. On top of that, Apple has also confirmed that the next outing will be based on Mick Herron's London Rules.

Slow Horses Season 5 Latest News

The Season 5 Release Window Has Been Revealed

With the series keeping a lightning-quick production pace when compared to other streaming shows, the latest news confirms the release window for Slow Horses season 5. The update came straight from Apple TV+, who shared a brief teaser on X (formerly Twitter) that s their shows. The clip reveals that Slow Horses season 5 is due to arrive in summer 2025, though a more specific date remains elusive. Regardless of when season 5 does arrive, it will come less than a year after the premiere of season 4.

Watch the Apple TV+ preview below:

Slow Horses Season 5 Is Confirmed

Apple TV+ Renewed Season 5 Before Season 4 Debuted

This extreme vote of confidence proves the ongoing popularity of the spy thriller series, but also signals Apple's commitment to keeping the show on a tight schedule.

Despite the fact that Slow Horses season 4's debut is still recent, the fate of the next season has long since been decided. The news broke in January 2024 that Apple TV+ had renewed Slow Horses season 5, a full nine months before the eventual debut of season 4. This extreme vote of confidence proves the ongoing popularity of the spy thriller series, but also signals Apple's commitment to keeping the show on a tight schedule.

Though Slow Horses season 5 hasn't set a release date yet, it's been confirmed to return at some point in summer 2025. This is less than year after the debut of season 4 in September 2024. Unlike other streaming-exclusive shows which languished in production hell for years between seasons (Stranger Things, House of the Dragon), Slow Horses has arrived at a yearly clip, and sometimes sooner. In August 2024, Gary Oldman revealed that the fifth season of Slow Horses has already wrapped filming.

Slow Horses season 6 is also confirmed.

Slow Horses Season 5 Cast Details

Who Returns To Slough House?

It's impossible to know exactly who will be in the cast of Slow Horses season 5 for now, but there are a few candidates who are a shoo-in. Practically confirmed to be leading season 5 is series stalwart Gary Oldman as the crotchety Slough House leader, Jackson Lamb. Jack Lowden will also likely be back as young agent River Cartwright, alongside other Slough House regulars like Christopher Chung's Roddy Ho. The series has also employed a host of amazing guest stars (like season 4's Hugo Weaving), but it's unclear who will be filling the new roles in season 5's story.

The presumptive cast of Slow Horses season 5 includes:

Slow Horses Season 5 Story Details

Season 5 Will Adapt "London Rules"

In keeping with the show's book-per-season approach, season 5 is set to tackle Herron's fifth novel, London Rules. In the book, an upstart MP is going on a political rampage as he, and his tabloid journalist wife, set their sights on MI5 and their many foibles. Meanwhile, a series of seemingly random terrorist attacks point back to the aspiring mayor of the West Midlands. Back at Slough House, the team is dealing with their usual personal problems, but are also trying to decipher if their newest member is a legitimate psychopath.

There are nine total books in the Slow Horses series.

On top of all that, someone is trying to kill Roddy Ho, and it is up to the team to band together (as best they can) and get to the bottom of the would-be assassin. Though it's unclear how closely the season will follow the book, London Rules is decidedly more political and involves issues like Brexit and immigration. Slow Horses season 5 seems like a big step-up for the popular spy series, and each new detail makes it sound more and more exciting.