In a recent interview, 53-year-old actor James Callis discussed his character Claude Whelan, the MI5 director he portrays on “Slow Horses.” Callis described Whelan as someone who means well but is struggling in the top position at the spy agency. He emphasized that Whelan is learning on the job, but not at a fast enough pace, and should have been better equipped for the role from the start. “Slow Horses,” based on Mick Herron’s novels, is a darkly comic thriller that is set to conclude its fourth season on Apple TV+. The series follows a group of MI5 agents, known as “slow horses,” who are exiled to a remote location and given menial tasks after making mistakes or clashing with their superiors.
In the TV series “Slow Horses,” Jackson Lamb (played by Gary Oldman) reluctantly leads a team under the command of Diana Taverner (played by Kristin Scott Thomas). Their contrasting personalities and approaches to their work create tension, particularly due to Whelan’s promotion over Taverner.
The series explores the dynamic between the experienced Taverner and the inexperienced Whelan, highlighting their differing perspectives on ethics and tactics. The show’s unique tone, blending discomfort with snarkiness, is a notable feature, and the cast includes talented actors such as Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves, and Jonathan Pryce.
