Gary Oldman accepted the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Global Icon Award on Wednesday, using the occasion to reflect on his acclaimed role in Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses.” The veteran actor spoke candidly about portraying Jackson Lamb, the intelligence operative known as much for his questionable hygiene and crude behavior as for his espionage prowess.
Oldman expressed genuine enthusiasm for the character over the past six years, describing the role as one that “fell from the sky” at an opportune moment in his career. He emphasized that part of Lamb’s appeal lies in his complete disregard for social conventions and his unfiltered personality. The actor credited the show’s success to the collaborative efforts of its writers, cast, crew, and producers who have maintained the character’s integrity throughout.
Beyond discussing his character, Oldman highlighted a distinctive advantage that “Slow Horses” maintains: minimal delays between seasons. He contrasted this with other television productions that often leave viewers waiting years between installments. With the sixth season arriving next month—completing six seasons in just four years—Oldman stressed the importance of resisting complacency, noting that the production team refuses to compromise quality simply because previous seasons performed well.
Despite the demanding schedule, Oldman acknowledged that maintaining momentum requires considerable effort and negotiation among all involved parties. His commitment to excellence underscores his dedication to ensuring each new season surpasses its predecessor.
Originally reported by Variety →
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