“Following a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents — and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb — as they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.”

Rotten Tomatoes

Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas sparring, going toe to toe, hurling insults at one another, is the thrill I did not know I needed. For that reason alone, Slow Horses, is a must-see, sadly only six-episode, series.

There are other highlights apart from Oldman and Thomas, without a doubt.

It’s a proper British cloak and dagger, Cold War style, spy thriller with thrilling twists and turns. Who does not like that?

All the characters, leads or bit parts, are deliciously well-written. They are all flawed, intriguing, irritating, and utterly likeable. Even greasy, grumpy Lamb, Oldman at his best, makes you snigger with delight.

There are one or two silly moments where the rag and tag bunch of spies achieve the impossible, but who cares? Not me. Can we have a whole series of Oldman and Thomas sipping tea and letting the Shakespearean insults fly?