❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
Slow Horses creator explains changes from book for season 3
Writer Will Smith spoke exclusively with RadioTimes.com about what fans of Mick Herron's novels can expect. *Warning - contains spoilers for Slow Horses season 3 episode 1*
Apple TV+
- James Hibbs
Published: Wednesday, 29 November 2023 at 9:00 pm
Subscribe to Radio Times – 5 weeks for £2
*Warning – contains spoilers for Slow Horses season 3 episode 1*
Ad
Apple TV+ spy thriller Slow Horses has kicked off its third season in style, with two thrilling episodes now available to stream.
The new season is based on Mick Herron's novel Real Tigers, and tells the story of a conspiracy which envelopes the Slough House gang as MI5 secrets are on the verge of being leaked.
The show's creator, Will Smith, recently caught up with RadioTimes.com about the new season, and revealed how close it sticks to the original source material – and one big deviation it makes.
Smith said: "We try to be as faithful to the book as we can. And certainly, when we do change it, we try and stick to the spirit – we always stick to the spirit of the characters and we're not going to change that at all, because we love Mick’s world and the characters.
"And with the story, it's just building it out. We normally get about four episodes and a couple of really great endings and then we sort of build out from that."
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù in Slow Horses Apple TV+
Smith continued: "I think the biggest change in this was... it's all about Sean Donovan seeking revenge for the death of the woman he loves, and it was just showing that death basically, and animating that so it wasn't just a thing that he was remembering, as he does in the book.
Read more:
- Slow Horses season 4 adds Hugo Weaving, Joanna Scanlan and more to cast
- BBC confirms Christmas 2023 line-up: Doctor Who, Ghosts, The Tourist
"It works in the book, because you can go in his head and that's all great, but obviously, you can't do that in TV. And it's just like, if this man is gonna go to these extreme lengths to get vengeance for this woman then, if it's in the abstract and you're only hearing about her you don’t really believe it.
"But if you can see the love they have, you see the grief that that he's experiencing then it explains the things he’s doing, so it was just making sure that you were with him on that journey."
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
The moment Smith talks about comes right at the start of the first episode, when Katherine Waterston's new character, MI5 agent Alison Dunn, is killed off in a shocking moment.
The other major new character this season, Sean Donovan, is played by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, who Smith said is a "a massive star, and he's gonna be an even bigger star".
Slow Horses season 3 continues on Wednesday 6th December, while seasons 1-2 are available to watch now on Apple TV+. Sign up to Apple TV+ now. Mick Herron's full Slough House book series is available now.
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.
Ad
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
Ad
Ad
Get the Christmas double issue
Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...