Who’s Who in ‘Slow Horses’ Season 5

Apple TV+’s hit thriller, Slow Horses, is back again in its fifth season since it premiered in April 2022. Like prior seasons, the fifth chapter of the series is based on the novels by Mick Herron, and follows a new crisis as it envelops Slough House, led by Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman).

“Nina Gold and Melissa Gethin Clark, who cast the series, are so in tune with what they’re doing because all of the characters have some kind of trait that reflects the people that are playing them,” says actor Christopher Chung. “It’s just so perfect. I mean, I’ll leave you to deduce what those characteristics are. I have my own thoughts, but there’s a little bit of each of us within the characters. To say that there’s any more one so than the other alike from their characters is wrong. I think we all have a certain amount of each of us within our character.”

Who would make the best spy? Chung says, “I won’t say Jack [Lowden] because he can’t run. Saskia [Reeves] might be a really good spy just because she’s so unassuming, but she’s fiercely intelligent and she can read a room. She’s very good at picking up behavior. She’s very switched on to her surroundings and is aware of everything. I think she’d probably be a very good spy.”

Here, a guide to the cast and characters of Slow Horses season five:

Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb

Gary Oldman (who was recently knighted and is now Sir Gary Oldman) returns as Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House. Oldman made his acting debut in 1979 and has worked steadily since. He’s been in numerous popular films, but is perhaps his best known for projects including Darkest Hour, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and the Harry Potter series.

Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner

Diana Taverner, the Deputy Director General of MI5 and “Second Desk,” is still navigating handling the new First Desk. She’s portrayed by Kristin Scott Thomas, known for her work in Four Weddings and a Funeral, The English Patient, and Gosford Park, among many other films.

Jack Lowden as River Cartwright

Jack Lowden plays River Cartwright, an up-and-coming MI5 agent who is still stuck in Slough House but desperate to make it back to the Park. Lowden, who just welcomed his first child with wife, actress Saorsie Ronan, is also starring in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of Pride & Prejudice as Mr. Darcy.

Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho

Australian actor Christopher Chung plays Roddy Ho, a former hacktivist turned MI5 tech agent. Chung is best known for his role on Slow Horses, but will also star in the upcoming Netflix drama series My Brilliant Career.

Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish

Catherine Standish, Slough House’s office administrator, is officially back in season five. She’s portrayed by Saskia Reeves, known for her roles in Luther, Shetland, and Our Kind of Traitor, among others.

James Callis as Claude Whelan

Claude Whelan is still the new Director General of MI5 (“First Desk”) despite being woefully under-qualified. Wheelen is portrayed by James Callis, a British actor, whom you may recognize as Tom from the Bridget Jones series or Dr. Gaius Baltar from Battlestar Galactica.

Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Shirley Dander

Welsh actress Aimee-Ffion Edwards returns as Shirley, a MI5 agent in Slough House struggling with addiction issues. She’s starred in Skins, Peaky Blinders, and Loaded, among other shows.

Ruth Bradley as Emma Flyte

Another newer addition to the cast is Irish actress Ruth Bradley, who joined in season four as Emma Flyte, the newest head of the Dogs. Bradley previously appeared in Primeval, Humans, and Love/Hate, among others.

Tom Brooke as J.K. Coe

The newest Slough House member is J.K. Coe, a quiet operative from psych eval suffering from PTSD. Coe is portrayed by Tom Brooke, known for his roles in Preacher, Sherlock, Bodyguard, and others.

Rosalind Eleazar as Louisa

Louisa, an MI5 agent, leaves Slough House in season five, but she is still in the first episode. She’s played by actress Rosalind Eleazar, who made her debut in the 2019 film The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Nick Mohammed as Zafar Jaffrey

Joining the cast in season five is Nick Mohammed (of Ted Lasso fame) as London mayor Zafar Jaffrey. Jaffrey’s reelection run is a part of the plot.

Hiba Bennani as Tara

Another new Slow Horses season five cast member is Hiba Bennani as Roddy’s girlfriend Tara. Bennani, a French-Moroccan actress, previously starred in Ghost of Beirut.

Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright

Actor Jonathan Pryce plays River’s grandfather, retired MI5 officer David Cartwright. David is now living in a senior care home after being diagnosed with dementia. You may recognize Pryce from roles in The Crown, The Two Popes, Evita, Tomorrow Never Dies, and many other films and television shows.

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