Slow Horses
A disgraced MI5 agent leads a misfit team of fallen spies in a high-stakes battle against a shadowy threat, where past mistakes and personal demons could determine the fate of the nation.
In Season 5 of *Slow Horses*, Christopher Chung's character Roddy Ho becomes a central figure, shifting from a peripheral computer specialist to a pivotal character in the storyline. Chung addresses the interplay between Roddy's ego and empathy, stressing the character's sincerity rather than using him for humor. The actor underscores the importance of maintaining authenticity in Roddy's behavior, particularly as he faces new romantic and professional developments. Chung's performance has been well received by audiences, who have taken to Roddy's evolution as a popular narrative thread. The series, starring Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, continues to delve into intricate themes through its diverse cast.
Seasons & Episodes
- 1.01Failure's ContagiousApr 1, 2022Rate
River Cartwright is removed from MI5 and assigned to Slough House, a division where disgraced intelligence officers are sent to carry out menial tasks.
- 1.02Work DrinksApr 1, 2022Rate
River and Sid form an alliance, but when a gun is accidentally fired, it leads to serious and unintended repercussions.
- 1.03Bad TradecraftApr 8, 2022Rate
A covert romantic relationship unfolds at Slough House, but it is disrupted by a violent incident that results in a fatality.
- 1.04Visiting HoursApr 15, 2022Rate
Taverner deploys the Dogs to track down Lamb and the members of Slow Horses. River possesses crucial information that could help the team evade capture.
- 1.05FiascoApr 22, 2022Rate
The Slow Horses go into hiding to evade MI5. Lamb and River travel to The Park in an effort to outmaneuver Taverner.
- 1.06FolliesApr 29, 2022Rate
Taverner and the Slow Horses pursue multiple strategies to track down the kidnappers and Hassan. Meanwhile, Ho uncovers a surprising truth about Sid.
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Related News
- AI · ReviewedJun 19, 2026
Christopher Chung on Portraying Roddy Ho in 'Slow Horses'
In Season 5 of 'Slow Horses,' Christopher Chung's character Roddy Ho takes center stage, evolving from a sidelined computer nerd to a key player in the narrative. Chung discusses the balance between Roddy's ego and empathy, emphasizing the character's genuine nature over comedic relief. The actor highlights the importance of grounding Roddy's actions in authenticity, even as he navigates new romantic and professional challenges. Chung's portrayal has resonated with fans, who have embraced Roddy's transformation as a fan-favorite arc. The show, led by Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb, continues to explore complex themes through its ensemble cast.
Variety
- AI · ReviewedJun 13, 2026
Kristin Scott Thomas on Playing Diana Taverner in 'Slow Horses'
Kristin Scott Thomas discusses her portrayal of Diana Taverner, whom she calls 'the ultimate ice queen,' in the series 'Slow Horses.' She highlights the strong chemistry with co-star Gary Oldman and the depth of the writing, which she credits for the show's success. Thomas also expresses interest in exploring Taverner's more vulnerable side, saying, 'I’d love to see her laugh.' The actress emphasizes the fun of playing such a complex character and reflects on her previous collaborations with Oldman. She praises the dynamic between their characters and the opportunity to work with such well-written roles, which she says makes the show compelling and enduring.
Variety
Cast & Crew
12 unique people credited
Top billed cast
Gary Oldman
as Jackson Lamb
Jack Lowden
as River Cartwright
Kristin Scott Thomas
as Diana Taverner
Aimee Ffion Edwards
as Shirley Dander
Saskia Reeves
as Catherine Standish
Christopher Chung
as Roddy Ho
Rosalind Eleazar
as Louisa Guy
Kadiff Kirwan
as Marcus Longridge
Jonathan Pryce
as David Cartwright
Chris Reilly
as Nick Duffy
Other crew
2Awards & Nominations
1 winPrimetime Emmy Award
- Won2025Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series — Adam Randall
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Spoiler-Safe Guide
medium confidencesource-verifiedSeason 6 (September–October 2026) has not yet aired as of this guide's compilation date (June 2026) and is therefore excluded. The guide covers Seasons 1–5 (30 episodes total). Fandom wiki pages returned HTTP 403 and could not be fetched directly; character and episode detail was sourced from named recap/review sources (Tier 3) plus the epguides episode list. Confidence is medium rather than high because: (1) the S4E6 Patrice kill sequence had conflicting accounts across sources before being resolved by three-source confirmation; (2) Frank Harkness's surrender location could not be confirmed to the named-station level; (3) several mid-season events remain at season-level (~) tagging only.
Showing everything up to nothing yet. 19 later beat(s) hidden.
Key: ★ notable · ★★ major · ★★★ series-defining · ✓ confirmed · ~ estimated · ⚠️ limited sources
Major events
Characters
Jackson Lamb · Gary Oldman · debut [S1E1✓]
The slovenly, brilliant, strategically flatulent head of Slough House — MI5's dumping ground for disgraced agents. Lamb is coarser than he appears and more principled than he admits. Across five series he shields his team with leverage, blackmail, and unexpected loyalty. His feet, glimpsed in the Series 5 finale, carry scars suggesting a Cold War past he has never fully disclosed.
River Cartwright · Jack Lowden · debut [S1E1✓]
An over-ambitious MI5 officer exiled to Slough House after a botched training exercise. River is the closest thing the show has to a conventional protagonist, driven by a desire to prove himself and loyalty to his grandfather David. Series 4 reframes his entire identity when he learns the truth about his father.
Diana Taverner · Kristin Scott Thomas · debut [S1E1✓]
MI5 Deputy Director (later First Desk), known as 'Lady Di'. Ruthless, politically shrewd, and not above running unauthorized operations. Her relationship with Lamb is one of perpetual mutual blackmail. She rises to MI5 chief by the end of Series 3 and holds that position through Series 5.
Catherine Standish · Saskia Reeves · debut [S1E1✓]
Lamb's assistant and Slough House's institutional memory. A recovering alcoholic who devoted herself to Charles Partner, the man she revered as her superior — until the truth is revealed. Her journey toward self-knowledge is one of the series' quietest arcs.
Louisa Guy · Rosalind Eleazar · debut [S1E1✓]
A capable Slough House agent who had a relationship with Min Harper. Min's death in Series 2 defines her for much of the series. She remains with Slough House through Series 4 before permanently departing.
Roddy Ho · Christopher Chung · debut [S1E1✓]
Slough House's supremely self-confident computer expert and hacker. His social obliviousness is played for dark comedy but Series 5 puts him at the centre of the action when he becomes a target.
Min Harper · Dustin Demri-Burns · debut [S1E1✓]
A gentle, competent Slough House agent who was demoted after leaving a classified disk on a train. His relationship with Louisa is one of the warmer threads of Series 1–2. He is killed in Series 2 Episode 3.
Marcus Longridge · Kadiff Kirwan · debut [S2~]
A Slough House agent with a gambling addiction that ended his mainstream MI5 career. Steady, loyal, and ultimately heroic. He is killed in the Series 4 finale defending his colleagues.
Shirley Dander · Aimee-Ffion Edwards · debut [S1~]
A scrappy, quick-tempered Slough House agent with anger-management issues. She grows into one of the team's most physically capable operatives. Her friendship with Marcus is tested by his death in Series 4.
J.K. Coe · Tom Brooke · debut [S4~]
A soft-spoken, deeply traumatised operative who joins Slough House in Series 4. Laconic and lethal — the most dangerous person in any room, a fact he goes to lengths to conceal. His quiet care for Shirley after Marcus's death is one of Series 4's most affecting moments.
David Cartwright · Jonathan Pryce · debut [S1~]
River's grandfather and a legendary former MI5 officer. A cunning Cold Warrior who ordered Lamb to kill Charles Partner decades ago. His mental acuity declines across the series, and by Series 4 he requires full-time care. His past decisions continue to detonate around River.
Frank Harkness · Hugo Weaving · debut [S4~]
A former CIA operative turned mercenary, introduced in Series 4 as the season's primary antagonist. He raised multiple sons as professional killers and holds kompromat on multiple intelligence service heads. Revealed to be River's biological father. His capture at the Series 4 finale is almost certainly not the last word.
Emma Flyte · Ruth Bradley · debut [S4~]
Head of the 'Dogs' — MI5's internal disciplinary unit. Professional and steely, she enters the story in Series 4 and her interactions with River carry a charged dynamic.
AI-assisted and cross-checked against multiple references. ✓ = confirmed from a cited source · ~ = season correct but episode unconfirmed · ⚠️ = limited sources. Spotted a mistake? Use the report button on this page.
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