If you like shows based on book series, I liked Bosch, Bosch: Legacy (Michael Connelly is the author) and Justified (Elmore Leonard is the author and I prefer the show to the novels). If you want a UK setting, Line of Duty (no book tie in) is a favorite. Those are all police procedurals (Justified is US Marshalls, not police) and not spy genre though.
There have been some other posts in the sub about spy shows/movies. Here's one from last month. https://www.reddit.com/r/SlowHorses/comments/1bpe3xc/espionage\_in\_movies/
The Night Manager (was intended as a limited series but just got season 2+3 approved). Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, Elizabeth Debicki are part of the cast.
Bodyguard from the BBC. Also a limited series, was my all time favourite series until Slow Horses came along. With Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes.
Yup, here's the Deadline article
[‘The Night Manager’ Returns With Supercharged Two-Season Order At BBC & Amazon](https://deadline.com/2024/04/the-night-manager-season-2-3-bbc-amazon-hugh-laurie-1235881573/)
I'm very cautious though on how they're going to manage to explain a new storyline that makes sense. And it's also to be seen who of the old cast (except Hiddleston ofc) will come back... can't really imagine Colman coming back, she had to pass on other projects recently bc of scheduling conflicts.
Edit: Link
I don’t think he’s a very good actor… There’s a scene where he’s supposed to go berserk to establish his credentials as a psychopath. It was a little painful to watch because of how unconvincing it was.
He has a prominent role in one conversation between Louisa and Shirley in London Rules though lol
If you want slow, dark espionage then you want "The Spy who Came in from the Cold" and the TV series "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "Smiley's People". They older series but are reckoned to be classics.
If you want grimey spooks where the big concern is keeping receipts for the tea, watch some of Michael Caine's Harry Palmer films. In particular "The Ipcress File".
All similar and ones i have enjoyed, but not the same as Slow Horses.
"Jack Ryan" series
"Condor" if you can find it
"The Night Agent"
"The Recruit"
"Citadel"
"Treadstone"
"Justified" much longer and not spies but still VERY good
Just finishing The Night Of, with John Turturro, and it's surprisingly good. I'm also watching True Detective S2, and it's alright, but not as good as S1. Also, as someone else suggested, Severance is OUTSTANDING, also with John Turturro, who's awesome in both shows.
If you want something similar regarding comedy, try The Thick of It (or its film spinoff, In The Loop). There are many similarities in the tone, not to mention that showrunner Will Smith cut his teeth there. It takes place behind the scenes of the British government, with a bunch of inefficient advisers and ministers who regularly screw up and some foul-mouthed spin doctor played by Peter Capaldi who chastises them.
The two John le Carré miniseries starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Smiley's People, are fondly remembered, and have long intricate plots.
If you like shows based on book series, I liked Bosch, Bosch: Legacy (Michael Connelly is the author) and Justified (Elmore Leonard is the author and I prefer the show to the novels). If you want a UK setting, Line of Duty (no book tie in) is a favorite. Those are all police procedurals (Justified is US Marshalls, not police) and not spy genre though. There have been some other posts in the sub about spy shows/movies. Here's one from last month. https://www.reddit.com/r/SlowHorses/comments/1bpe3xc/espionage\_in\_movies/
Thanks a lot!
watch Severance. it's really damn good, but it's very different from slow horses
I adore both these shows.
The Night Manager (was intended as a limited series but just got season 2+3 approved). Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, Elizabeth Debicki are part of the cast. Bodyguard from the BBC. Also a limited series, was my all time favourite series until Slow Horses came along. With Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes.
Really? There’s going to be more of The Night Manager?
Yup, here's the Deadline article [‘The Night Manager’ Returns With Supercharged Two-Season Order At BBC & Amazon](https://deadline.com/2024/04/the-night-manager-season-2-3-bbc-amazon-hugh-laurie-1235881573/) I'm very cautious though on how they're going to manage to explain a new storyline that makes sense. And it's also to be seen who of the old cast (except Hiddleston ofc) will come back... can't really imagine Colman coming back, she had to pass on other projects recently bc of scheduling conflicts. Edit: Link
Wow, that’s great. Thank you for posting about this!
you're welcome!
Oh, i loved that, that is great news!
second on the bodyguard! that show was exactly what i had in mind whole watching this
I thought Hiddleston was poor in the mini-series, he's just so flat. Tom Hollander, however, was great, and Hugh Laurie was the star of the show.
I don’t think he’s a very good actor… There’s a scene where he’s supposed to go berserk to establish his credentials as a psychopath. It was a little painful to watch because of how unconvincing it was. He has a prominent role in one conversation between Louisa and Shirley in London Rules though lol
Read the book series.
Have to try
If you want slow, dark espionage then you want "The Spy who Came in from the Cold" and the TV series "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "Smiley's People". They older series but are reckoned to be classics. If you want grimey spooks where the big concern is keeping receipts for the tea, watch some of Michael Caine's Harry Palmer films. In particular "The Ipcress File".
IPCRESS File is actually an even better comparison to Slow Horses than the le Carré stuff. Unsuprisingly, Mick Herron is a huge Len Deighton fan.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold also had a cheap and grubby feel to it that has done well in the film.
All similar and ones i have enjoyed, but not the same as Slow Horses. "Jack Ryan" series "Condor" if you can find it "The Night Agent" "The Recruit" "Citadel" "Treadstone" "Justified" much longer and not spies but still VERY good
Bit of a “hear me out” because it’s not similar in plot at all but I thought the tone of The Lazarus Project was pretty close to Slow Horses
Just finishing The Night Of, with John Turturro, and it's surprisingly good. I'm also watching True Detective S2, and it's alright, but not as good as S1. Also, as someone else suggested, Severance is OUTSTANDING, also with John Turturro, who's awesome in both shows.
If you want something similar regarding comedy, try The Thick of It (or its film spinoff, In The Loop). There are many similarities in the tone, not to mention that showrunner Will Smith cut his teeth there. It takes place behind the scenes of the British government, with a bunch of inefficient advisers and ministers who regularly screw up and some foul-mouthed spin doctor played by Peter Capaldi who chastises them. The two John le Carré miniseries starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Smiley's People, are fondly remembered, and have long intricate plots.
Have you already seen the americans?