Writer and executive producer Will Smith (Greed, Paddington 2) stated to Deadline that he will be leaving the Apple TV show, Slow Horses, after season five premieres this fall. Based on the spy novel series by Mick Herron (Kulturplatz, Down Cemetery Road), Smith stated, “there were certainly some private tears” as the season started to wrap.
Smith is an Emmy-nominated writer and Emmy winner for his work on season four, according to Deadline. Even though Slow Horses has already been renewed through season seven, Smith will be handing over the reins to Gaby Chiappe (The Finest, One Lane Bridge) and Ben Vanstone (Beat, Wondrous) for season six. Smith will not be involved in any part of production in any way after season five.
“Series five, it doesn’t end things by any means, but it concludes certain story arcs that started in season 1, so it felt like a good moment to hand over the show,” Smith told Deadline. “I think it’s a big show and it’s an intense process. And I suppose I didn’t want to lose the sense of fun of it. There’s two things. One, there’s the risk that you’ll start to run dry or repeat, which you have to watch. And so, it’s just getting ahead of that, and knowing when the right time is for you to give it over to somebody who can give it some new energy and freshness. And then it’s likely that the schedule of it just becomes something that can be slightly daunting after a while. It feels like I might not be giving you my best work if I continue at this pace… I do want to emphasize, it’s not in any way that I thought I’m now too good for Slow Horses. It’s much more that I want to keep being good enough for Slow Horses. And I would never want it to be like, “Oh, that one wasn’t quite there.” It’s just that risk of just pushing it too far. And I just felt, I just want to go when I know I’m still delivering my very, very best for all the people that work on the show.”
According to Deadline, Smith will still be eligible for an Emmy for season five, even though he will be leaving the show. Up until season five, the show Slow Horse follows Herron’s book, Spooky Street. In season five, it will follow Herron’s book, London Rules. Without adding any spoilers, Smith says that there will be a big surprise at the end of the season. As Smith starts his departure, he remains close knit with Herron and hopes for a Slow Horses spin-off of the latest book, The Secret Hours.
Slow Horses is produced for Apple TV by See-saw Films, and will premiere season five this fall.
