Stepping into an already successful series can be daunting, but director Adam Randall embraced the challenge head-on with Slow Horses Season 4. Despite the show’s growing acclaim, only the first season had aired when Randall joined, with Season 2 launching shortly after. By the time he entered post-production, the series was already evolving into a major critical hit.
What drew Randall in was the show’s dynamic structure. “Each season plays with genre differently,” he explains. “The world and characters are established, but every chapter feels unique in tone.” For Season 4, that tone leaned darker. The season tackles emotionally heavy material, most notably the mental decline of retired MI5 officer David Cartwright (Jonathan Pryce) and its impact on his grandson River Cartwright (Jack Lowden). Coupled with a deadly terrorist attack and a bizarre plot involving a French compound, the visual and emotional atmosphere grew considerably weightier — even bordering on psychological horror in places.
This shift allowed for a bolder cinematic approach. Randall, previously a film director, was tasked with helming all six episodes. At the insistence of lead star Gary Oldman, who plays the cantankerous Jackson Lamb, the season was crafted with the consistency and scope of a feature film. “Gary wanted one director for all six episodes and to treat them like a movie,” says Randall. “That gave me the freedom to shape the whole arc.”
Randall collaborated closely with head writer Will Smith, whose openness to creative input made the transition smooth. The two had a personal connection as well — Smith had once acted in an early short film directed by Randall. While Smith’s scripts were already strong, Randall contributed particularly to action scenes, reshaping sequences to fit the tone and rhythm of the show’s darker edge.
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Performance, Collaboration, and Character Depth
Working with a seasoned cast also proved crucial. “Most of them had been through three seasons already, so I had to catch up,” Randall admits. His method included asking actors about their character journeys and goals for Season 4. Some performers preferred minimal prep to preserve spontaneity, while others dove into detailed rehearsals. This flexibility allowed Randall to “play” on set — experimenting with emotional beats, comedic timing, and subtle nuance.
Randall describes the cast as “remarkable,” noting that his job wasn’t to find performances, but to enhance them. “The scenes would be great even if I hadn’t shown up,” he says with humility. The addition of new characters also brought fresh energy, allowing established actors to explore different shades of their roles.
The season finale, which Randall submitted for Emmy consideration, encapsulates what he’s most proud of: emotion, action, and layered storytelling. It intertwines character arcs, dramatic tension, and high-stakes action in a way that remains true to the series while pushing it into more complex territory. “It was a huge challenge,” he reflects, “but it came together as an hour of drama I’m genuinely proud of.”
What’s Next for Slow Horses?
As anticipation builds for Season 5, premiering in September, Randall is already deep in post-production for Season 6. True to the espionage nature of the show, he offers no plot reveals — only a promise: “It takes this show to new places. It’s big, dramatic, emotional, and I’m really proud of it.”
Slow Horses continues to stream on Apple TV+, growing ever more sophisticated in narrative and production. With Randall at the helm and Oldman still at the center, the series cements itself as one of the most intelligently crafted spy dramas of the modern era.
