Jackson Lamb remains the new Smiley despite the extra humour

The fifth season of Slow Horses, Apple TV's gripping spy drama based on Mick Herron's novel London Rules, shines a light on opportunist politicians, media manipulation, radicalisation and moral panics. In doing so, Herron taps into the zeitgeist of Britain in 2025, writes

- Robert Dover, professor of intelligence and national security and dean of faculty, University of Hull.

It is, perhaps, because it is so on point that the writers and producers have opted for a lighter tone, including more direct humour about the characters and amusing moments. This is, however, in keeping with Herron's book, which includes such incidences as an accidental death through dropping a pot of paint. This humorous tone persists even though the action is set around a series of terrorist attacks, which includes a mass shooting outside a shopping centre.

Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House - an offsite MI5 office for semi-outcast spies - remains the key protagonist. He is just as smelly (I assume) and obnoxious as he has been in the previous series. He ultimately wants to protect Slough House, and his team, even if he plays at being permanently disappointed and dismayed by them.

In this series, the Libyan terrorists at the story’s centre are dangerous and violent adversaries the team battle against. Interestingly, they use a succession of unrelated groups, and a compromised former home secretary to disorient the British spies.

The main terrorist group are seeking revenge on the UK’s conduct during the Arab Spring and Libyan conflicts of 2011. But there are adversaries at home too.

The opening episode begins with a mass shooting outside a block of flats by a supporter of a populist MP running to be London mayor. The shooter has been radicalised online in incel forums. One of the victims of this shooter is a campaigner for the incumbent mayor.