Slow Horses is a spy thriller series on Apple TV+ based on the novel series of the same name by British author Mick Herron. The series focuses on a group of MI5 agents from a department known as “Slough House,” where all the disgraced agents end up and are referred to as “Slow Horses,” a derogatory term in the intelligence agency.
The series, which stars many well-known actors and several from the Game of Thrones universe, has received much critical acclaim. Gary Oldman leads the show as the notorious Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House.
The cast stars Jack Lowden as River Cartwright and Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner. With the release of Season 3 happening this December, here are all the actors on Slow Horses we know and love from HBO’s Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon)
Character portrayed by Olivia Cooke in House of the Dragon: Alicent Hightower
Character portrayed by Olivia Cooke in Slow Horses: Sidonie “Sid” Baker
Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower on the Game of Thrones prequel spinoff, House of the Dragon, portrays a character by the name of Sidonie “Sid” Baker on Slow Horses. Sid Baker is an MI5 agent who tracks River Cartwright’s activity while befriending him.
She is surprisingly a competent MI5 agent and is assigned to watch over River at Slough House when she could be with the best of the best.
Her character was in a critical condition in season 1, and it’s not confirmed whether she is alive or dead. Director James Hawes commented on the matter, saying, “I’m giving you a hint that there might be some secrets in there. Anybody that’s read all the novels will know that there is a discussion to be had.”
Her character has not made an appearance in season 2 of the series.
Read More: Olivia Cooke was hungover on her first day on the set of House of The Dragon
Jonathan Pryce (Game of Thrones)
Character portrayed by Jonathan Pryce in Game of Thrones: High Sparrow
Character portrayed by Jonathan Pryce in Slow Horses: David Cartwright
Pryce played the divisive High Sparrow on Game of Thrones. The veteran actor appeared in seasons 5 and 6 of the show and immediately spiked the interest of the audience with his performance. On Slow Horses, he plays River’s grandfather, David Cartwright, who is a retired MI5 officer.
He warns his grandson of the dangers associated with working in the Slough House department.
Jonathan Pryce’s character is regarded to be an MI5 legend in the series. His grandson, River, was assigned to Slough House after a very public mistake during his training period.
He is the main parental figure in River’s life since his mother abandoned him.
James Faulkner (Game of Thrones)
Character portrayed by James Faulkner in Game of Thrones: Lord Randyll Tarly
Character portrayed by James Faulkner in Slow Horses: Charles Partner
James Faulkner played the scrupulous Lord Randyll Tarly in seasons 6 and 7 of Game of Thrones. He headed the House Tarly of Horn Hill and Randyll Tarly was Samwell Tarly’s father.
After initial hesitation, he sided with the Lannisters against Daenerys Targaryen’s army. When the battle came to him, he refused to bend the knee to the Mother of Dragons, which ended up costing him his life.
His decision to stick with his principles and not pledge allegiance to Daenerys meant that his eldest son Dickon Tarly was executed as well.
On Slow Horses, he plays Charles Partner. Faulkner only appears in flashback scenes as the former Director-General of MI5 during the Cold War.
He is best known by Catherine Standish (Saskia Reeves), a recovering alcoholic who served Partner as his personal assistant and is now the office administrator.
Chris Reilly (Game of Thrones)
Character portrayed by Chris Reilly in Game of Thrones: Soldier Tom (Season 2) and Morgan Lannister (Season 4)
Character portrayed by Chris Reilly in Slow Horses: Nick Duffy
Christopher “Chris” Reilly is a Scottish actor based in London. He played two minor roles in Game of Thrones, one in season 2, episode 10 as Soldier Tom, and then again in season 4, episode 1 as Morgan Lannister.
He came from humble beginnings and was the only actor to have played two scripted roles in Game of Thrones.
Reilly learned the ropes backstage at Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. Soon, he picked up more acting gigs at the age of 31 and won the BAFTA Scotland Winner for Best Actor in a Television Drama for his Role as Alex Baxter in BBC1’s “The Last Post” in 2018.
He plays Nick Duffy in Slow Horses. Duffy is head of MI5’s internal affairs and “The Dogs,” a tactical unit under the same. He was mentioned again in season 2 but did not make an appearance.
Zachary Baharov (Game of Thrones)
Character portrayed by Zachary Baharov in Game of Thrones: Loboda
Character portrayed by Zachary Baharov in Slow Horses: Piotr Volodin
In the fourth season of Game of Thrones, Zachary Baharov portrayed the character Loboda. He was a member of the Thenn tribe, a group of Free Folk. Loboda appeared in several episodes during the fourth season.
Loboda and the Thenns play a significant role in the storyline involving the Free Folk’s invasion of the North. He appeared in a couple of scenes including the attack on Castle Black during the Battle of Castle Black.
Baharov plays a Russian security guard named Piotr Volodin in season 2 of Slow Horses.
Freddie Fox (House of the Dragon)
Character portrayed by Freddie Fox in House of the Dragon: Ser Gwayne Hightower
Character portrayed by Freddie Fox in Slow Horses: James “Spider” Webb
Fox is an English actor hailing from a family of actors. Freddie Fox has appeared in various notable roles across different mediums. On the big screen, he has been seen in movies such as “The Three Musketeers” (2011), “Pride” (2014), and “Victor Frankenstein” (2015).
He portrays James “Spider” Webb in Slow Horses, an MI5 agent from the Regent Park headquarters.
Fox has been officially cast in season 2 of House of the Dragon as Ser Gwayne Hightower. Gwayne is a Knight of the House Hightower and the youngest son of Ser Otto Hightower.
He will be on the Green’s side, seeing as he is Queen Alicent’s brother. Fox’s character is not expected to have any major screen time, but we don’t doubt that he will deliver an impactful performance.
Read More: Fans argue if House of the Dragon should continue filming despite SAG-AFTRA strike
Miltos Yerolemou (Game of Thrones)
Character portrayed by Miltos Yerolemou in Game of Thrones: Syrio Forel
Character portrayed by Miltos Yerolemou in Slow Horses: Theo Makris
Miltos Yerolemou is a Shakespearean-trained actor who was born in London and grew up in the United Kingdom. Yerolemou has appeared in films such as “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) and the award-winning film “The Danish Girl” (2015).
He has also appeared in the Netflix Series “The Crown” (2016), the BBC One series “New Blood” (2016), and the British-American film “Tulip Fever” (2017).
Yerolemous plays Syrio Forel in the first season of Game of Thrones. Syrio Forel was once the First Sword of Braavos and a master of the Braavosi fighting style known as “water dancing.” Lord Eddard Stark instructed him to instruct his daughter Arya in fencing and sword fighting.
Miltos Yerolemou plays Theo Makris in first season of Slow Horses.
Read More: Tom Taylor (Cregan Stark) swears his allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra on Instagram
Gavin Spokes (House of the Dragon)
Character portrayed by Gavin Spokes in House of the Dragon: Lord Lyonel Strong
Character portrayed by Gavin Spokes in Slow Horses: Sly Monteith
Gavin Spokes is an English actor and producer. He is known for his work in film, television, and theatre. Some of his notable roles include the mini series “The Ipcress File” (2022) and the TV series “Hitmen” (2020).
In House of the Dragon Season 1, Gavin Spokes portrays Lord Lyonel Strong. Lord Lyonel is the Master of Laws to King Viserys and also holds the title of Lord of Harrenhal. He is the head of House Strong and is the father of Rhaenyra’s consort, Harwin Strong and Alicent’s Master of Whisperers, Larys Strong.
In the Slow Horses, Gavin Spokes portrays the character Sly Monteith, the head of the private security firm Chieftain. Sly Monteith’s role involves demonstrating weaknesses in MI5’s security.
