Slow Horses has an eighth season before the sixth has aired a single episode

If you thought Slow Horses was winding down, think again. Just as everyone's gearing up for the drop of season six on Apple TV, it's been confirmed: the spy saga is getting an eighth season. If you’re trying to keep the maths straight, yes, that’s two more seasons after the one that hasn't even hit our screens yet. In telly terms, that’s a proper show of faith from the Apple lot.

Season eight confirmed for Slow Horses, with the story drawing from ‘Clown Town’ – the ninth novel in Mick Herron’s Slough House series.

Season Six Arrives

Season six hasn’t even premiered — that’s out on Wednesday, 16 September — and it’s very much business as usual. We’re promised more bodies dropping around Slough House, with Gary Oldman dusting off his best curmudgeon for another go as Jackson Lamb. It looks like someone’s out to pick off the ‘Slow Horses’ squad, so Lamb’s on the hunt for answers. Veteran faces return: Kristin Scott Thomas, Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves, Christopher Chung, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Rosalind Eleazar, Joanna Scanlan, Samuel West, Ruth Bradley, Tom Brooke, Jonathan Pryce, and Hugo Weaving.

There’s a notable addition too: Lenny Rush (BAFTA winner, so that’s no small hire). And for fans waiting (not that patiently) on Sid, Olivia Cooke is back as Sidonie ‘Sid’ Baker in the new run.

Season Eight and Beyond

So, what’s doing with these renewals? Season seven is already locked in, reportedly taking its plot from Mick Herron’s novel ‘Bad Actors’. The big reveal now is season eight, which takes its cue from the ninth book, ‘Clown Town’. And in case you were wondering how far they’re stretching this – the eighth series is pitched as the most explosive yet, at least if you trust Deadline’s tip. Apparently, Jackson Lamb and Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) will be going head-to-head after a failed blackmail attempt drags Taverner out swinging. Lamb’s then left to dig up one of MI5’s grubbiest secrets – and, presumably, do something messy about it.

Jay Hunt, Apple TV’s Creative Director, International, is buzzing for more, and didn’t miss a chance to give the show a public pat on the back in the news coverage:

"Slow Horses continues to charm audiences all around the world and I'm delighted that Jackson Lamb and his gang of lovable misfits will be back for an eighth season. Their acerbic take on the high-octane world of espionage is completely unique."

If you’re keeping track of production credits (and, honestly, if you’re not, don’t feel bad), See-Saw Films is still behind the camera, with a healthy roster of executive producers: Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Julian Stevens, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Adam Randall, Gail Mutrux, Douglas Urbanski, and Oldman himself. Gaby Chiappe continues adapting the novels for telly as co-executive producer.

• Season 6 premieres 16 September 2026
• Season 7 will adapt ‘Bad Actors’
• Season 8, drawn from ‘Clown Town’, is officially greenlit
• Francises still includes Sid, plus a raft of big names and BAFTA winners