Apple TV's spy drama Slow Horses is being singled out as a rare example of a series with no weak episodes, standing apart from acclaimed genre peers such as The Day of the Jackal, Killing Eve and Homeland, which have all included filler instalments. The show premiered in 2022 and, despite strong reviews and Emmy nominations, remains less widely watched than its quality suggests, making it a strong recommendation for viewers seeking a consistently tight thriller before its next run begins.

Based on Mick Herron's novels, the series follows a team of disgraced MI5 operatives exiled to the dead-end Slough House, nicknamed the "Slow Horses," under the leadership of the dishevelled but formidable Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman, alongside Jack Lowden as River Cartwright. Each season runs to six fast-paced episodes built around a fresh investigation, with the team repeatedly defying low expectations to protect the country from various threats. Season 6 is due for release next month, giving newcomers a timely opportunity to catch up on the full run beforehand.