Slow Horses tops ranking of greatest secret agent TV shows

Collider has published a ranking of the 10 greatest secret agent TV shows and placed Slow Horses (2022–) at number one. The piece describes Slow Horses as “one of the sharpest and most self-aware” espionage series, based on Mick Herron’s Slough House novels and centred on MI5’s administrative purgatory.

Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb leads a team of disgraced agents who are tasked with redeeming themselves through a series of intelligence crises; the series is praised for its character-driven tone, dark comedy, and ensemble that includes Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Saskia Reeves and Christopher Chung.

The article also notes the show’s Apple TV+ release date (April 1, 2022), showrunner Douglas Urbanski and its directors. The ranking also highlights other entries across decades and styles: The Americans (2013–2018) is commended for its factual accuracy and Cold War domestic drama; The Bureau (2015–2020) for its authenticity and focus on France’s DGSE; Homeland (2011–2020) for reshaping post-9/11 espionage TV; and classics such as Mission: Impossible (1966–1973) and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) are included alongside recent reimaginings like Mr.

Key Topics

Culture, Slow Horses, Mick Herron, Gary Oldman, The Americans, Dgse