Slow Horses Cleverly Referenced Gary Oldman's Two Best Movie Performances Gary Oldman is one of the most respected and accomplished actors of his generation, with a career spanning over four decades. Among his many iconic roles, two stand out as particularly defining: his Oscar-winning turn as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour and his gut-wrenching portrayal of Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy. It's no surprise, then, that Oldman's latest project, the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ spy series Slow Horses, would find ways to pay homage to these seminal performances. The show, which follows a team of disgraced MI5 agents relegated to a dumping ground department known as Slough House, has been praised for its sharp writing, complex characters, and Oldman's tour-de-force lead performance as Jackson Lamb, the brilliant but eccentric boss of the Slow Horses. In the series' first season, which debuted in 2022, the creative team behind Slow Horses made a concerted effort to weave in subtle references to Oldman's most celebrated roles, adding an extra layer of depth and meaning for viewers familiar with the actor's filmography. The most obvious nod comes in the form of Jackson Lamb's physical appearance and mannerisms, which bear a striking resemblance to Oldman's Oscar-winning portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Like the former British Prime Minister, Lamb is a gruff, rumpled, and decidedly un-glamorous figure, with a commanding presence and a tendency to dominate any room he enters. "There's definitely a Churchill-esque quality to Lamb," says Slow Horses writer Will Smith. "Gary has this incredible ability to inhabit a character, both physically and mentally, and we wanted to tap into that with this role. Lamb is a brilliant strategist and leader, but he's also deeply flawed and cynical, just like the real-life Churchill." In one particularly memorable scene, Lamb is shown sitting in his office, puffing on a cigar and surveying his team of misfits with a mixture of disdain and begrudging affection. The staging and framing of the shot evokes Oldman's iconic performance as Churchill, where the former Prime Minister is often depicted in a similar pose, contemplating the challenges facing the nation. But Slow Horses doesn't just reference Oldman's Oscar-winning work – it also pays homage to one of his earlier, and arguably more intense, performances: Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy. As the volatile and self-destructive bassist of the Sex Pistols, Oldman delivered a raw, unflinching portrayal that cemented his reputation as one of the most versatile and committed actors of his generation. In Slow Horses, Oldman channels that same energy and intensity into his depiction of Jackson Lamb, a brilliant but deeply flawed individual struggling with the demons of his past. Like Sid Vicious, Lamb is a complex, multifaceted character – a brilliant mind trapped in a dysfunctional body, haunted by regrets and consumed by a sense of anger and resentment. "There's a real intensity and unpredictability to Lamb that Gary was able to tap into," says director James Hawes. "He's not afraid to let the character's rougher edges show, to really lean into the darkness and the trauma that's shaped this man. It's a performance that's just as raw and visceral as Sid Vicious, but with a different kind of power and gravitas." Throughout the first season of Slow Horses, Oldman's performance as Lamb is a masterclass in nuance and subtlety. He effortlessly oscillates between moments of sharp-witted humor, emotional vulnerability, and explosive rage, often within the same scene. It's a performance that not only pays homage to his previous iconic roles but also establishes Lamb as a wholly unique and compelling character in his own right. The references to Oldman's past work also speak to the broader themes and ideas explored in Slow Horses. Like Darkest Hour and Sid and Nancy, the series delves into the complexities of power, loyalty, and personal redemption, exploring the grey areas and moral ambiguities that often lurk beneath the surface of seemingly straightforward narratives. "Slow Horses is very much about the idea of failure and the ways in which our past mistakes can come back to haunt us," says Smith. "Lamb, like Churchill and Sid Vicious, is a figure who has had to grapple with his own shortcomings and missteps, and that's what makes him such a rich and compelling character." By drawing on Oldman's iconic performances, Slow Horses not only pays homage to the actor's remarkable versatility and talent but also taps into the deeper thematic resonances that have defined his most acclaimed work. It's a subtle yet effective way of contextualizing Lamb's journey and elevating the series' exploration of the human condition – a testament to the show's sophisticated and layered approach to storytelling. As Slow Horses continues to captivate audiences and earn critical acclaim, it's clear that Oldman's performance as Jackson Lamb, and the show's clever references to his past roles, will cement the series as one of the most compelling and thought-provoking spy dramas in recent memory. It's a masterful blend of character, craft, and cultural significance that further solidifies Oldman's status as one of the greatest actors of his generation.