Gary Oldman hired by MI5 to play his role as ‘Slow Horses’ in Christmas message

TV SERIES – From fiction to reality, there is only one step. In Slow Horses on Apple TV+, Gary Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the head of a department of unwanted secret agents at MI5. But for Christmas and for the time of a video broadcast just before New Year’s Eve, the real counter-espionage agency of the United Kingdom recruited the actor.

Gary Oldman therefore exchanges “Slough House”, which is both the location of the plot of the series and the name of the literary series written by Mick Hurron on which the series is inspired, for Thames House, the real residence of security British interior.

“At MI5 this Christmas we have decided to forgo the traditional turkey in favor of a lamb – Jackson Lamb (“lamb” meaning lamb, editor’s note)”ironically announces the intelligence services in description of this “special Christmas message” see below.

In voice-over and in the skin of his character from the Apple TV+ series, the Briton says “ a Christmas story », inspired by the lines of the poem A Visit from St. Nicholas. The video shows several MI5 agents working at the counter-espionage service’s London headquarters over the holidays. “Our staff will work throughout this festive period to protect the UK from national security threats. From everyone at MI5, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” concludes the caption accompanying the publication.

Beaten at the Emmy Awards, nominated for the Golden Globes

Popular across the Channel, the fourth season of Slow Horses has been available on Apple TV+ (platform integrated into Canal+ offers in France) since September 4. In this series, the interpreter of Sirius Black in the Harry Potter saga continues to demonstrate the full extent of his talent.

As evidenced by his nomination for the Best Actor award at the 76th Emmy Awards. And if he lost to Hiroyuki Sanada of Shōgun, he could well take his revenge on January 5 during the Golden Globes. Indeed, he was nominated for the second consecutive year in the category of best actor in a television drama series for his role as Jackson Lamb.