They are spies, sure, but they are people who are alcoholics, drug addicts and generally unsuccessful, says Oldman.
The sixth season, which premieres on September 16 on Apple TV, is based on two books, “Joe Country” and “Slough House.” While someone or some people have begun murdering former Slough House agents, the icy MI5 chief Taverner is painting herself into a corner of corruption that she may have difficulty getting out of.
Oldman's character Jackson Lamb takes his agents to a remote safe house - where the killers soon find themselves. Also involved is River Cartwright's (Jack Lowden) very unpleasant and violent father.
What makes the series are the characters, says Gary Oldman.
They are fragile and easy to like.
Unshaven and unsightly
His Jackson Lamb is an unshaven, long-haired drunk who loves to fart in public and throw insults - but at the same time he is a sharp agent who manages to get his gang of failed individuals to solve complicated cases. Even if not everyone survives.
Has he picked up on some of Lamb's bad habits after so many years? Gary Oldman ponders.
I hope not. I don't smoke, I don't drink. Lamb is straightforward and confrontational, that's not me - I don't like to be unfriended by people. I was probably tough when I was younger, but I've matured.
And I haven't let go since 1971, he says with a laugh.
Oldman says that his co-stars are sometimes asked "does he smell?"
They try to explain that no, it's all make-up and makeup.
Will there be more seasons?
"Slow Horses" is being made at a fast pace. Season seven has already been filmed, and season eight will begin soon. And there will be more.
"We wanted everything to be connected from the beginning, that it wouldn't take years between seasons. And I love that. It makes it easier to feel and sympathize with the characters," says Gary Oldman.
It's almost like it feels empty when we're not filming "Slow Horses." It's a fantastic script and it's such a wonderful cast. I miss them all the time. It must be really hard to be on a long TV series where you don't like the other actors.
Name: Gary Oldman.
Age: 68 years.
Family: Wife Gisele, three children.
Profession: Actor, director, icon.
Previous films in selection: "Sid & Nancy", "Prick up your ears", "State of grace", "JFK", "Dracula", "Léon", "Romeo is bleeding", "True romance", "The fifth element", "Air Force One", "Hannibal", "Batman begins", several Harry Potter films, "The dark knight", "Tinker tailor soldier spy", "The dark knight rises", "Robocop", "Mank", "Oppenheimer", "Parthenope".
Current with: The sixth season of "Slow Horses" which premieres on Apple TV on September 16.
