This marks the first time "Slow Horses" has been nominated for an Emmy, and it proved to be a significant win for Apple TV+ during a challenging awards season for the platform.
"Slow Horses," based on Mick Herron's critically acclaimed book series, is a tense espionage thriller centered around a group of disgraced MI5 agents who find themselves relegated to a department known as "Slough House," where their careers are considered dead ends. The show has been lauded for its intelligent, tightly woven scripts, and Smith's adaptation of Herron’s novel Real Tigers for the third season captivated audiences when it aired in late 2023.
This Emmy win is particularly noteworthy as "Slow Horses" has been recognized for its writing in other award circuits before, but this was its debut nomination at the Primetime Emmys. Will Smith's win signifies the broader appreciation for the show’s unique approach to spy thrillers, which combines biting satire with suspenseful drama.
While "Slow Horses" brought home this prestigious award, it wasn’t the only Apple TV+ success of the night. The platform’s flagship drama, "The Morning Show," continued to shine with Billy Crudup winning his second Emmy in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Crudup’s portrayal of the charismatic and morally ambiguous Cory Ellison has been a fan favorite since the show's debut, and his win marked a bright spot for Apple TV+ during the ceremony.
Despite these wins, Apple TV+ faced stiff competition and ultimately saw fewer major category victories than expected. The platform had garnered a staggering 72 Emmy nominations across various categories, but its 10 wins fell short of the dominance some had predicted for the streaming giant. In comparison, during the delayed 75th Emmy Awards, Apple TV+ had also secured 10 wins, with standout performances such as Paul Walter Hauser taking home Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his gripping role in "Black Bird."
Still, the success of "Slow Horses" and "The Morning Show" at this year's Emmys underscores the strength of Apple TV+'s content lineup, particularly as the streamer continues to carve out its identity in the fiercely competitive streaming landscape. In addition to its Emmy wins, Apple TV+ earned acclaim in the craft categories, further solidifying its position as a home for high-quality programming.
As "Slow Horses" fans celebrate the show’s writing Emmy, the future looks bright for the series. The fourth season of "Slow Horses" is currently streaming, and the showrunners have confirmed that a fifth season has already completed filming, much to the anticipation of viewers eager to see where the story will go next.
This Emmy win highlights the impact of "Slow Horses" as one of the standout productions on Apple TV+, signaling that the show, like Apple TV+ itself, is only getting started in its quest for prestige and accolades.