In an era where fans often wait years for new seasons of hit shows, Apple TV+’s spy drama Slow Horses is breaking all the rules. The critically acclaimed series has managed to release a new season every single year since its 2022 debut, with Season 5 currently airing and Season 7 already scheduled to begin filming. The secret behind this astonishing pace isn’t frantic all-night shoots, but rather a surprisingly efficient and calm production process.
The Secret Behind the Rapid Schedule
Director Saul Metzstein recently explained the show’s unique approach to filming. Contrary to what one might expect from such a fast output, the set has a “quite leisurely” atmosphere. The production manages to film an entire season in around 110 days by maintaining focused, short workdays rather than pushing the crew to exhaustion.
Speaking about the process, Metzstein provided a clear picture of their methods:
“We’re quite slow at making it. It’s a sort of odd thing. Each season is like 110 days of shooting. It’s quite leisurely; we do very short days. We just somehow are efficient enough that it just keeps going. But it never feels like a particular rush. It actually feels very nice, pleasant, slow.”
This efficient system is helped by the show’s format of six episodes per season, which Metzstein believes is “the right kind of length for the kind of program and the kind of stories we’re telling.” This shorter season length compared to many streaming shows allows for more manageable production timelines without sacrificing quality.
Multiple Seasons in Production Simultaneously
The efficiency of the Slow Horses production team is demonstrated by their remarkable progress on future seasons. While fans are currently watching Season 5, which premiered on September 24, 2025, the show has already completed filming on Season 6. Even more surprisingly, production is scheduled to begin on Season 7 at the end of October 2025.
This means the team will be filming their seventh season while the fifth is still airing—an almost unheard-of situation in today’s television landscape where gaps of 1-2 years between seasons have become normal. This rapid schedule has allowed Slow Horses to deliver five seasons in just over three years, defying industry trends.
Innovative On-Set Workflow
The show’s editing process also contributes to its efficiency. Editor Robert Frost explained how editing on set enables real-time feedback that enhances the final product. By working alongside the director and writer directly on location, the team can rewrite dialogue, adjust shot lists, and capture needed footage immediately.
This collaborative approach is particularly valuable when dealing with complicated action sequences that might need revision. The ability to make these decisions on the spot prevents the prolonged post-production process that often delays other series with complex action or effects. Frost noted that this arrangement allows the evolving edit to directly inform the shoot, providing clarity and consistency in scenes.
Consistent Critical Acclaim Amid Rapid Output
Despite the quick turnaround between seasons, Slow Horses has maintained exceptional quality. The series has earned a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes across its first four seasons, with Seasons 2 and 4 achieving perfect 100% scores. The show has received Best Drama nominations, and star Gary Oldman has earned Best Actor in a Drama nominations for his portrayal of the unkempt but brilliant Jackson Lamb.
The series follows a group of MI5 service rejects exiled to Slough House—a dumping ground for spies whose careers have been derailed by professional blunders. Under Oldman’s Jackson Lamb, these “slow horses” are relegated to menial tasks but consistently find themselves pulled into high-stakes, dangerous assignments.
Show’s Future Beyond Season 5
The confidence Apple TV+ has in Slow Horses is evident in their renewal strategy. The streaming service has already greenlit both Season 6 and Season 7, with the knowledge that creator Will Smith will be departing after Season 5. Smith described his exit as a “practical decision” based on the need for scripts for Series 6, noting that he couldn’t meet the demanding schedule despite not wanting to leave.
Still, Smith expressed confidence in the show’s future, stating that “the show is going to go on to even bigger and better things.” Gary Oldman has confirmed his commitment to continuing as Jackson Lamb, mentioning he’s happy to keep playing the role and appreciates the regular employment it provides.
Season 6 will adapt two of Mick Herron’s novels—Joe Country and Slough House—following Diana Taverner as she involves the spies in a high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge. Season 7 will then focus on Lamb and his team hunting a mole at the heart of the British government before they can bring down the state.
New episodes of Slow Horses Season 5 continue to premiere weekly on Apple TV+, with the finale scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Also Read: Slow Horses Season 5 Episode 4: Plot, Release Details, and Streaming Info
