What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSlow Horses
Series · 2022
If you loved Slow Horses, start with Clown Town (Mick Herron, 2026) — a book on the same thread. Below: 1 book, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Slow Horses across media.
What hooked you in Slow Horses is the sharp intersection of bureaucratic incompetence and the cynical, underdog humor found in high-stakes espionage.
Books on the same thread
Clown Town
Mick Herron · Book · 2026
Explores: Institutional Incompetence, Cold War Legacy, Disgraced Spies.
As the source material for the series, this book perfectly captures the biting satire and institutional dysfunction that make Slow Horses such a compelling look at disgraced British spies.
Films on the same thread
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Tomas Alfredson · Film · 2011
Explores: Betrayal, Paranoia, Deception.
If you enjoyed the grounded, gritty atmosphere of Slow Horses, this film offers a more serious, deeply paranoid look at the moral ambiguity hidden within the heart of MI6.
Spy
Paul Feig · Film · 2015
Explores: Underdog, Fish Out of Water, Female Empowerment.
Much like the misfits in Slow Horses, this film leans into the underdog narrative, proving that even the most desk-bound analysts can handle dangerous missions with a sharp, comedic edge.
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Matthew Vaughn · Film · 2015
Shares a thread with Slow Horses: Underdog Story.
You will appreciate how this film mirrors the mentor-mentee dynamics of Slow Horses, blending a cynical view of elite organizations with the high-octane thrills of a secret spy agency.
The Sheep Detectives
Kyle Balda · Film · 2026
Explores: Underestimated protagonists, Secret life of animals, Amateur sleuths.
This film echoes the core appeal of Slow Horses by featuring underestimated protagonists who must rise to the occasion, proving that even the most overlooked teams can solve mysteries.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
The dark, investigative humor found here resonates with the cynical tone of Slow Horses, focusing on the absurd failures of individuals who find themselves in way over their heads.
Here Comes The Guillotine
Podcast
Shares a thread with Slow Horses: cynicism.
The subversive, darkly funny social commentary in this podcast aligns perfectly with the biting, irreverent atmosphere that makes the dialogue in Slow Horses so consistently sharp and memorable.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Slow Horses a show about MI5 agents?
Yes, Slow Horses follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents as they navigate the world of espionage. Led by their obnoxious boss Jackson Lamb, the team operates in the shadows to defend England from various sinister forces.
What is the premise of Slow Horses?
Slow Horses centers on a group of agents who have been cast aside by the intelligence service. Under the guidance of Jackson Lamb, this team works through smoke and mirrors to protect England from threats despite their status as outcasts within the espionage world.
Who is the main character in Slow Horses?
The main character in Slow Horses is Jackson Lamb. He is described as an obnoxious boss who leads a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents as they handle dangerous situations and defend England from sinister forces.
When was Slow Horses released?
Slow Horses is a television series that was released in 2022. The show depicts the professional lives of a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents and their leader, Jackson Lamb, as they perform their duties to protect England.