#NYCC25: AppleTV 'SLOW HORSES' Season 5: Cast Talks Tone, Humor, and Heart During NYCC Chat

By Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

During New York Comic Con 2025, we caught up with the cast and creative team behind Slow Horses Apple TV’s sharp, witty, and unflinchingly human spy series, to talk about the upcoming fifth season. Known for its mix of espionage thrills and dark humor, the show is doubling down on what fans love most: layered characters, unpredictable storytelling, and that signature British cynicism that keeps things grounded even as the stakes rise.

In one of the standout moments of the conversation, our own Klep Napier of WeAreCritiX.com asked director Saul Metzstein how he continues to balance the show’s mix of biting comedy with its more serious undertones. Metzstein explained that the tone comes naturally, rooted deeply in British sensibilities. “If you’re British, you’re naturally cynical,” he joked. “Terrible things are happening, yet we’re all starring in our own film, listening to our own music, being totally oblivious.” That blend of absurdity and authenticity is part of what makes Slow Horses so compelling a show that can make you laugh one moment and hit you with emotional weight the next.

Metzstein also revealed that keeping that balance often means cutting scenes that tip too far into parody or lose the show’s edge. Even the smallest creative choices, like how many comedic beats a character like Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb gets, are carefully debated. It’s that attention to tone that helps Slow Horses avoid becoming just another spy drama and instead stand out as something more nuanced and more human.

The conversation also touched on how the series often feels eerily in step with current events. When asked about online comparisons to The Simpsons for its ability to “predict” real-world happenings, the team laughed but agreed that it’s part of the show’s DNA. “It’s not just a thriller,” Metzstein said. “It works because it mixes the absurd and the profound.” That layered approach, blending satire, suspense, and sharp social commentary, has become a hallmark of Slow Horses and it’s more present than ever this season.

Character growth will also take center stage. Actor Christopher Chung, who plays fan-favorite Roddy Ho, spoke about exploring deeper layers of vulnerability and complexity this time around. Roddy, often seen as arrogant or chaotic, will reveal new sides as he searches for acceptance and meaning themes that echo throughout the ensemble and deepen the show’s emotional core.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see it all unfold. Slow Horses Season 5 premieres November 29, 2025, exclusively on Apple TV.