The fifth season of Apple TV+’s hit spy drama Slow Horses wrapped up with high-stakes action and major changes at MI5. A teaser for the next season confirmed the story is far from over, leaving fans with several burning questions that Season 6 needs to answer.
The Return of a Dangerous Father
One of the most tense moments in the Season 6 teaser is the return of River Cartwright’s biological father, Frank Harkness. The two men are shown standing face-to-face, with River asking, “Business?” This isn’t the first time Harkness, a rogue MI5 agent, has complicated River’s life. His reappearance suggests a new wave of personal and professional danger for River. The body language between them indicates a deeply strained relationship that is about to be tested again.
Diana Taverner’s New Power and Problems
After seasons of scheming, Diana Taverner has finally achieved her goal of becoming First Desk. However, the teaser reveals her path will not be smooth. She is told, “Our security’s in these hands,” by a mysterious man who is later seen setting a suspicious fire. Actor Christopher Chung, who plays Roddy Ho, hinted at the new dynamic, saying:
“Going into the next season with Taverner in first desk, you’ve kind of got her in a position now where she’s got everything that she’s wanted… So it’ll be interesting to see if absolute power corrupts.”
Her reputation for being stern and manipulative will be put to the ultimate test as she navigates this new authority.
River Cartwright’s Career Crossroads
Season 5 ended with River Cartwright believing he had finally earned his way back to a job at Regent’s Park after saving the former First Desk. He confidently told Jackson Lamb, “I shouldn’t be in Slough House, because I’m really fucking good and you know that.” However, with Claude Whelan ousted and Diana Taverner now in charge, his hoped-for promotion is in jeopardy. Taverner has decided not to bring him back to MI5. This leaves River at a career crossroads, forcing him to either descend into self-pity or find a new path forward within the confines of Slough House.
The Mystery of the Missing Slow Horses
The Season 6 teaser presents a dire situation for the team. Molly Doran tells Taverner, “Slough House is completely missing.” Roddy Ho clarifies the situation to Shirley Dander, stating, “We don’t exist anymore.” The team is on the run after a file containing all their names was stolen, leading to them being hunted. Jackson Lamb warns, “We’re running out of time… It’s a bloodbath.” The sixth season will see the spies navigating their erased status while facing a direct threat to their lives.
Jackson Lamb’s Painful Past Revealed
The finale, aptly titled “Scars,” ended with a shocking visual reveal: the bottom of Jackson Lamb’s feet are brutally scarred and burned. This confirms a dark story he told earlier in the season about a spy tortured by the Stasi, who burned the skin off the soles of his feet. The implication is that Lamb was telling his own story, a traumatic event from his past in Berlin that involved the death of a pregnant woman he loved. This glimpse into his history provides a window into the deep pain that shapes his grubby, cynical personality.
A New Boy and a Stolen File
The teaser introduces a new character who will be central to the plot. Jackson Lamb and Roddy Ho are seen at Emma Flyte’s door with a young boy. Lamb explains the situation:
“His dad stole a file with the Slow Horses’ names in it. Now he’s dead and my Joes are being hunted.”
This boy and the stolen file are the catalysts that force the Slow Horses into hiding and trigger the events of the new season.
A High-Stakes Leak and a Funereal Mood
The upcoming season promises a tense atmosphere of betrayal and revenge. Jackson Lamb is seen telling Diana Taverner, “You got a leak Julian Assange would be proud of.” The stakes are raised to a personal level as the teaser also shows Lamb, Standish, and Taverner attending a funeral. With the team officially erased and a major leak exposing them, Season 6 will push Jackson Lamb and his band of misfits into their most dangerous mission yet.
Also Read: Slow Horses Season 6: Filming Wraps with the Team on the Run
