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Even though Apple TV's Slow Horses has been on the air since 2022, it's just now amassing a larger audience. With five seasons already out, and a sixth season set to premiere on September 16, the spy thriller has gained a devoted fanbase who are more than happy to share their love of the fast-paced, heart-pumping drama. It's not just the viewers who praise the series — Slow Horses has also garnered rave reviews and 23 Emmy nominations and counting. But the problem with the series is that each season only consists of six episodes, which means once you've binged it, you'll be racing to find a replacement. Luckily, there's one British spy thriller that you've probably never even heard of that deserves a binge-watch.
What Is 'London Spy' About?
London Spy is a five-episode miniseries that originally aired on BBC Two all the way back in 2015. Available to watch now on Prime Video, the show was actually inspired by a real-life 2010 crime that took place in the UK. Gareth Williams was an MI6 agent whose dead body was found inside a sports bag that was padlocked from the outside. Creator Tom Rob Smith (American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace) read of the mysterious death and was given the spark of an idea for his own drama. London Spy starts with a budding romance between party boy Danny Holt (Ben Whishaw) and the brilliant, yet closed-off Alex Turner (Edward Holcroft). But their love story turns dark when Alex disappears, and Danny ends up finding his body. Danny soon learns that the man he was enamored with is not at all who he claimed to be. In fact, Alex's real name is Alistair, and he was actually a spy for the Secret Intelligence Service. Drawn into a puzzling, terrifying world, Danny decides to search for the truth behind Alex/Alistair's death.
'London Spy' Is a Masterfully Written and Acted Spy Drama
While most spy dramas fall into the trap of being a thrill-a-minute roller-coaster, London Spy stands apart because of its deliberately and deliciously slower pace. That's not to say that there aren't still plenty of twists and turns in the storytelling, but rather that each adrenaline-pumping moment that arrives is definitively earned.London Spy works because it never fails to throw the viewer off-balance, which is exactly how Danny's life feels. Just like Danny, we don't know who to trust in this enigmatic and dangerous world he finds himself in. The series also explores the emotions behind the characters far better than traditional spy dramas that feel like they need to prioritize action over deeper storylines. The writing dives into characters who struggle with identity and shame, but this only works to move the narratives further into fascinating territory. Despite coming out over a decade ago, London Spy is also more relevant than ever, with themes that delve into a government that isn't above lying and deception.
London Spy is truly a must-watch because of Whishaw's performance. The actor has already demonstrated serious range — from being the voice of Paddington to starring in television projects such as A Very English Scandal,Fargo,and Black Doves. Whishaw is clearly one of the most talented actors to come out of the UK in a long time. His portrayal of Danny infuses passion and a dedication to the truth that is incredibly captivating. But it's not just Whishaw who makes London Spy so impressive. Jim Broadbent is also once again a reliable character actor as Scottie, the person who is most willing to give Danny guidance. Charlotte Rampling is darkly riveting as Alex's steely and secretive mother. And although Harriet Walter is only in three episodes; she still deserves a shout-out for her performance, which rivals her other spy drama role in Killing Eve.
Because London Spy was constructed as a limited series, all loose ends are tied up neatly by the conclusion of the fifth episode. But there's no way you won't be thinking about this twisty spy thriller long after you've finished it. With a completely compelling story and extraordinary performances, the series is a perfect companion show to watch before Slow Horses comes back in September.
London Spy is available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.
