Will Smith’s departure as lead writer and executive producer has raised questions about the future of Apple TV’s Slow Horses, but producer Doug Urbanski says the team has successfully managed the transition. Although the series does not formally use a traditional showrunner model, Smith had effectively led its creative direction, making his exit significant as the drama prepares for its sixth season.

Season six premieres on 16 September, with co-executive producer Gaby Chiappe taking over as lead writer. It will combine Mick Herron’s sixth and seventh novels, rather than adapting one book per six-episode season, while season seven—based on the eighth novel—is already in production. The show received nine Emmy nominations for its fifth season, including drama series and acting nominations for Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden.