Jackson Lamb is a gross, flatulent, brilliant mess. If you've spent any time at Slough House, you know exactly why Gary Oldman’s portrayal of the world’s most disgruntled spy is the best thing on television right now. It isn't just the espionage. It’s the failure. It’s the smell of stale cigarettes and cheap Chinese takeout radiating off the screen. If you like Slow Horses, you aren't just looking for James Bond in a tuxedo; you're looking for the "rejects" who actually get the job done while the suits at MI5 mess everything up.
Most spy shows are too clean. They feature high-tech gadgets and agents who look like they’ve never skipped a day at the gym. Slow Horses changed the game by making the genre feel lived-in and deeply cynical. It’s based on Mick Herron’s Slough House series, and if you've already burned through the seasons on Apple TV+, you’re likely feeling that specific withdrawal. You need that mix of dark British humor, bureaucratic nightmare, and high-stakes tension.
Why the Slough House Vibe is So Hard to Replicate
There is a specific alchemy to Mick Herron’s writing that the show captures perfectly. It’s the "service" as a workplace comedy from hell. You have River Cartwright, who is desperate to be a hero, stuck in a room full of people who have been sidelined for being "screw-ups."
The appeal is the underdog. We love watching the losers win, especially when they’re winning against the arrogant "Dogs" at Regent’s Park. But finding shows that hit that same note—without becoming a parody—is actually pretty tough. You want the grit. You want the feeling that the characters are one mistake away from being sacked or killed.
The Best Shows to Watch if You Like Slow Horses
If you're looking for that same DNA, you have to start with The Bureau (Le Bureau des Légendes). Honestly, it’s arguably the best spy show ever made. It’s French, so you’ll need subtitles, but the realism is unmatched. It follows the DGSE (the French equivalent of the CIA/MI6) and their "deep cover" agents. Like Slow Horses, it focuses heavily on the psychological toll of the job. There aren't many explosions. There is, however, a lot of intense staring at computer monitors and the soul-crushing weight of lying to everyone you love.
👉 See also: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
Then there’s The Americans. This isn't about British rejects, but it captures the "grime" of the 1980s perfectly. Elizabeth and Philip Jennings are Russian sleepers living in suburban D.C. It’s domestic drama mixed with brutal, cold-blooded spycraft. The wigs are legendary, but the emotional stakes are what keep you locked in.
For something more British and bureaucratic, Line of Duty is the move. It’s about AC-12, an anti-corruption unit within the police. While it isn't "spy" fiction in the traditional sense, it shares that Slow Horses obsession with internal politics. Everyone is investigating everyone else. Nobody is truly clean. The interrogation scenes are legendary—twenty-minute blocks of pure dialogue that feel more action-packed than a car chase.
Don't Overlook Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
You can't talk about Jackson Lamb without talking about George Smiley. Gary Oldman played Smiley in the 2011 film, and the connection is impossible to ignore. Lamb is basically Smiley if Smiley had given up on hygiene and developed a meaner sense of humor.
The 1979 BBC miniseries starring Alec Guinness is the gold standard here. It’s slow. It’s gray. It’s full of old men in brown offices talking about "moles." If you enjoy the "Regent's Park vs. Slough House" dynamic, you’ll love the hunt for the Soviet mole in the heart of the "Circus." It requires patience. It’s a puzzle.
✨ Don't miss: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
Recent Hits That Fit the Bill
- Patriot (Amazon Prime): This is a weird one. It’s a dark comedy about an intelligence officer who is depressed and expresses his feelings through folk songs. It’s absurd, but the "incompetence" and "bureaucratic hurdle" themes are 100% in line with the Slough House vibe.
- The Old Man (FX/Hulu): Jeff Bridges plays a retired CIA operative off the grid. It’s more "action-heavy" than Herron’s work, but it shares that gritty, older-protagonist energy.
- A Spy Among Friends: Starring Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, this focuses on the true story of Kim Philby. It’s posh, British, and explores the betrayal of friendship within the service.
The Literary Rabbit Hole: Beyond Mick Herron
If you've finished the Slough House books, where do you go? Most people point toward John le Carré, which is obvious. But if you want the humor, look at Len Deighton. His Game, Set, and Match trilogy features Bernard Samson, a weary, cynical intelligence officer who is constantly annoyed by his superiors. Samson is the spiritual father of River Cartwright. He’s smart, but he’s trapped in a system that doesn't appreciate him.
Another great shout is Graham Greene. The Human Factor is a masterpiece of the "lonely spy" genre. It deals with a man in the twilight of his career who starts leaking secrets for reasons that are painfully human rather than political.
What Most People Get Wrong About Spy Fiction
People think spy stories are about James Bond. They aren't. Real spy stories—the ones that stick with you—are about admin.
They are about the paperwork required to get a gun. They are about the mundane reality of sitting in a van for fourteen hours waiting for someone to walk out of a bakery. Slow Horses excels because it respects the boredom. It shows us that even in the world of international espionage, you still have to deal with a boss who hates you and a coffee machine that doesn't work.
🔗 Read more: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
The "cool" spy is a myth. The "tired" spy is the truth.
Actionable Next Steps for the Slough House Fan
If you are caught up on the show and the books, here is how to keep the momentum going:
- Watch "The Bureau" immediately. Do not pass go. It is the closest thing to the atmospheric tension of the Slough House universe, even if it's more serious.
- Read "London Rules" by Mick Herron. If you’ve only watched the show, the books offer a much deeper internal monologue for Jackson Lamb that is genuinely hilarious and revolting.
- Explore the "Dead Lions" audiobook. Gerard Doyle’s narration captures the voices perfectly if you prefer listening to reading.
- Check out the "Spycraft" documentary series on Netflix. It gives you the real-world context for the gadgets and techniques used in these fictional worlds.
- Visit the real locations. If you’re ever in London, a walk past the Barbican will lead you right to where Slough House is supposed to be located (the actual building used for exteriors is near Smithfield Market).
The world of intelligence is rarely about saving the world. It’s usually about saving your own skin while trying to prove your boss is an idiot. That’s why we love Jackson Lamb, and that’s why the "slow horse" archetype isn't going anywhere.