When Slow Horses reaches its finale, it just might be the curtain call for Gary Oldman. Based on the original novels by Mick Herron, the spy thriller series debuted on Apple TV+ in April, and Oldman is set to reprise his role in the second season that’s due to premiere on Dec. 2. Earlier this year, the show was also given a two-season renewal, keeping Slow Horses around on Apple TV+ for some time to come.
All good things must come to an end, however. Speaking with the Times in London (per Deadline), Oldman reflected on his career while looking forward to continuing his run with his role in Slow Horses. While he’s enjoying his time on the show, the actor can’t seem to shake the feeling that this will be his last hurrah. Knowing he doesn’t want to still be acting when he’s 80, the 64-year-old admits that he may go ahead and hang it up after Slow Horses ends on Apple TV+. As Oldman explains:
“I’ve had an enviable career, but careers wain, and I do have other things that interest me outside of acting. When you’re young you think you’re going to get round to doing all of them — read that book — then the years go by. I’m 65 next year, 70 is around the corner. I don’t want to be active when I’m 80. I’d be very happy and honored and privileged to go out as Jackson Lamb [his character in Slow Horses] — and then hang it up.”
It’s not the first time Oldman has teased an impending retirement. Earlier this year, he also told Deadline that he could see himself playing Jackson Lamb for “many years,” but added that he was starting to feel that retiring was “on the horizon.” Perhaps a role that Oldman can’t refuse might come in before all is said and done, but the actor seems to really be getting on board with the idea of bowing out with his new series.
Gary Oldman Shines in Slow Horses
If Slow Horses is the end of the line for Oldman, he’ll be going out with a bang. The first season of the series was a critical hit, scoring a high 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes with plenty of praise directed specifically at Oldman’s performance. The strong reception contributed to the confidence Apple TV+ execs had in committing to another two seasons of the show.
Slow Horses stars Oldman as Jackson Lamb, the boss of the “Slough House” where exiled agents go to work after mission failures. Along with Oldman, the show also stars Jack Lowden and Kristin Scott Thomas. James Hawes and Jeremy Lovering direct with the series written by Morwenna Banks, Will Smith, Jonny Stockwood, and Mark Denton.
You can stream Slow Horses on Apple TV+. Season 2 will premiere on Dec. 2, 2022. For a peek at the series, you can watch an official trailer below.
