The UK’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, enlisted “Slow Horses” star Gary Oldman to deliver a special message for the holiday season.
The Oscar-winning actor—who plays MI5 intelligence officer Jackson Lamb in the hit Apple TV+ thriller series—narrated a spy-themed rendition of Clement Clarke Moore’s beloved Christmas poem “The Night Before Christmas” for the British Security Service.
The agency shared the recording on its official Instagram account on Christmas Eve.
“'Twas the night before Christmas when all through Thames House not a creature was stirring, just the click of a mouse,” Oldman, 66, narrates.
“Then footsteps on stairwells, then flickering screens, the clackety keyboards of a hundred machines. The hustle, the bustle, the hive of activity, not the typical scene of your Christmas nativity.
“So while people at home wrap last-minute gifts, the staff inside Thames will be changing their shifts. From us all at 5, we wish you festive delight. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”
The intelligence agency said in the post’s caption that Oldman recorded the message while he was on a brief break from filming “Slow Horses.”
“At MI5 this Christmas, we’ve decided to forgo the traditional turkey in favour of some lamb—Jackson Lamb. We thought it high time he swapped Slough House for Thames House,” the agency wrote.
‘Slow Horses’
The first season of “Slow Horses” debuted on Apple TV+ in April 2022.The show, which was recently renewed for a sixth season, is based on British novelist Mick Herron’s 2010 book of the same name.
The novel serves as the first installment in the author’s eight-volume series, “Slough House.” Herron’s ninth book in the spy saga, titled “Clown Town,” is slated to be published in August 2025.
In addition to Oldman, the critically acclaimed Apple Original adaptation also stars Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Hugo Weaving, among other actors.
“Slow Horses” is up for three nominations—including “Best Television Drama Series”—at the 82nd Annual Golden Globes. The award show is set to take place on Jan. 5, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Oldman received a nod for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Drama Series.” Lowden, who plays MI5 agent River Cartwright, is also nominated for “Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television.”
Oldman is well known for his performances in blockbuster films such as “Oppenheimer” (2023), “Darkest Hour” (2017), “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012), and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” (2011).
However, the actor’s leading role in “Slow Horses” marks his first major recurring part as a series regular.
“I thought it would be really nice to revisit a character. I’ve done it with [movie sequels,] but it’s different developing a character over a series, over many seasons,” he said.
“If this were to be the last thing I do—and it’s up to Apple whether they keep us on the air because they write the checks—but if they’re happy to keep us on the air, then I’m very happy to do this and do all eight books.
“And since we started, [Mick Herron] has written another one, so who knows? Maybe it’ll be nine books, and I’ll be happy to play Jackson Lamb [in all of them.]”
Although the release date for season five of “Slow Horses” has not yet been confirmed, the latest installment is expected to premiere sometime next year.
