Sir Gary Oldman has described his role in the Apple TV series Slow Horses as one of the most joyful experiences of his career. The Oscar-winning actor, who plays the cantankerous MI5 agent Jackson Lamb, spoke candidly on the podcast Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware about filming during the pandemic. He recalled how the eerie solitude of being one of only two people in a hotel during the early production felt almost like a scene from The Shining. Despite such challenges, Oldman said working with the cast has been a deeply satisfying and enjoyable journey, praising the team as "a cracking bunch."

The spy drama, based on Mick Herron's Slough House book series, follows a misfit group of intelligence agents exiled to a department considered a dumping ground for those who have made career-ending mistakes. Oldman has inhabited the role of Jackson Lamb since the show’s launch in 2022, marking it as one of his most sustained engagements. His portrayal embraces the character’s unkempt appearance and abrasive manner, qualities Oldman appreciates for their distinctiveness. The transformation included significant physical preparation, such as gaining weight and adopting a scruffy look, which he welcomed to avoid time-consuming makeup sessions. With the show having already been renewed for a seventh season, Oldman noted that recent seasons delve into themes of institutional hypocrisy, highlighting how tactics once used by Western intelligence agencies are being turned back against them.

Supporting Oldman are fellow actors like Jack Lowden as the earnest agent River Cartwright and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as the sharply intelligent Diana Taverner. Christopher Chung, who plays Roddy Ho, has spoken highly of Oldman’s dynamic and often improvisational acting style, which inspires his own performance. Chung revealed how one of his most memorable moments in the first season—a spontaneous, fan-favourite line—stemmed from Oldman’s unpredictable energy on set, reflecting the lively creative environment surrounding Slow Horses. Season five, recently released, promises to further explore Roddy Ho's increasing involvement in the central narrative, including intriguing plotlines around his girlfriend and external threats.

Beyond his work on Slow Horses, Oldman’s career spans an extensive range of iconic roles—from portraying Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, for which he won his Academy Award, to embodying figures as diverse as the punk rock legend Sid Vicious. The London-born actor began his career on stage, notably returning recently to perform in Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape in York, where he started in 1979. He recounted fond memories of the late English actor John Hurt, highlighting Hurt’s warmth and storytelling talents and how a meaningful exchange involving a scarf between them carried emotional significance years later.

Adding to his distinguished career, Sir Gary Oldman was knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2025 for his services to drama. Speaking at Windsor Castle where he received the accolade, Oldman described the experience as “surreal” and “a big deal,” noting that while winning an Oscar was monumental, being knighted held an incomparable honour. He expressed deep humility and a sense of personal achievement, reflecting on his journey from his roots in Deptford to international acclaim. The knighthood, announced alongside honours for notable figures such as David Beckham and Roger Daltrey, recognises his significant contribution to both screen and stage drama.

As Slow Horses continues to captivate audiences with its blend of espionage, dark humour, and complex character studies, Sir Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Jackson Lamb remains central to the series’ success. His ability to combine wit with layered emotional depth ensures the character resonates strongly with viewers, making this role a standout chapter in a remarkable acting career.

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Source: Noah Wire Services