“As long as they keep it on air, I’ll do it”

As a lifelong fan of Gary Oldman’s incredible acting career, it’s always fascinating to delve deeper into his roles and the stories behind them. In this case, the enigmatic Jackson Lamb from Slow Horses is no exception. The revelation that Oldman hasn’t even read the novel that provides more insight into Lamb’s past only adds to the allure of the character.

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As a devoted cinema enthusiast, when the cast of a returning TV series embarks on a new shoot, they anticipate fresh outfits or at least their old clothes cleaned up nicely. However, for Gary Oldman – portraying the seedy, stinky, disgraced spymaster Jackson Lamb in Apple TV+’s Slow Horses – the wardrobe team works tirelessly to make everything appear even more worn-out and unkempt.

Every time we return, there’s a fresh grease spot or burn mark on Jackson’s raincoat. This year, they seemed to focus on making his shoes look more worn out. However, it’s still the same old shoes paired with ragged socks. And I can’t help but exclaim, “Hi, guys!”

In the fourth season of “Slow Horses,” based on Mick Herron’s popular series about MI6 agents banished to desk jobs following mission mishaps, Oldman reaches a significant milestone in casting. Having appeared as James Gordon three times in Christopher Nolan’s Batman films and making cameos in the Harry Potter series, he has now portrayed the character of Lamb more frequently than any other role. A fifth season of “Slow Horses” has already been filmed, and Herron has written five additional novels that, as of now, have not yet been turned into adaptations.

“Oldman expresses his deep dedication to the series ‘Slow Horses,’ stating he’ll continue as long as it remains on air, although not for as long as Peter Falk was on ‘Columbo.’ He clarifies, “I don’t have 35 years left in me, but I do cherish the show and my character. I slip back into it effortlessly whenever I put on the mac.” He also mentions his fondness for his character and the cast, expressing enjoyment working with this particular group of people.

As a movie critic, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some truly remarkable actors over the years, and this latest project is no exception. The regular faces in my latest film include Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rosalind Eleazar, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, and Christopher Chung. Working alongside these talented individuals has been nothing short of a career highlight. It’s as if we form our own theatrical troupe with each new production, so stepping back into the fold is always a joy. And let me tell you, the excitement in the air grows every time this exceptional cast reunites.

The returning cast… Ah. If not plot-spoiler, then plot-concern alert. An early publicity photo shows Lamb at what seems to be a funeral. And readers of the books will know that Herron has a Line of Duty attitude to big characters. Slow Horses has already lost two central figures: Olivia Cooke as Sid Baker and Dustin Demri-Burns as Min Harper. “Yeah. So somebody might cop it this time,” Oldman warns.

“As long as they keep it on air, I’ll do it”

Let’s tread lightly here, but if a character were to meet an unfortunate end due to their close ties with the rest of the crew, it would undoubtedly be quite impactful, wouldn’t you agree? You may recall when Sirius Black perished in the Harry Potter series. Prior to JK Rowling revealing his fate, there were whispers that a significant character would die in this book. The cast even placed bets on who it might be! I was just joining the show when these rumors circulated, and I thought for sure they wouldn’t kill Harry Potter’s godfather; it would be Hagrid or someone else. But then it turned out to be me! Indeed, a character does pass away in this series. However, Mick Herron is exceptionally skilled at creating such emotional moments.

When an actor departs from the group, the real-life sorrow felt by the remaining actors seems to enhance their ability to portray the fictional grief for the lost character on screen. For instance, Dustin was a natural comedian and his humor made everyone around him laugh. It’s tough when he left, but we find ways to channel that absence into our performances, even if Lamb himself wouldn’t notice it!

In the books, when Lamb makes a remarkably offhand comment after a colleague passes away, we might suspect there’s deeper sorrow beneath the surface. However, Oldman portrays this hidden damage effectively. For instance, when Lamb tells Jack Lowden’s character River Cartwright early on, “You’re going to witness many more deaths. If you don’t find it suitable, leave the car now,” there’s a hint of world-weariness in Lamb, yet he remains fiercely loyal to these outcasts. In truth, he likely cares for them more than most, but he masks his feelings as a means of self-preservation, giving off an impression that he doesn’t care as deeply as he actually does.

The evidence we’re looking for is introduced in season four. When Lamb is cautioned before stepping into a crime scene with “It’s grim inside!”, he responds, “I’ve…” (implying that he’s seen worse situations)

“I’ve seen bad before!” Oldman overlaps and completes the line in character. “Yeah. We drop these little breadcrumbs about his past. With that line alone, we sense a lot. In a scene I just did for season five – it’s not giving anything away to say – another layer of the onion is revealed, a little more about what happened in the old days when Lamb was in Berlin.”

It’s been revealed that Herron recently published a novel titled “The Secret Hours“, which delves into the events of Cold War Germany that drove Lamb into exile, shedding light on the situation. Has Oldman read this book? “No, I only read each book prior to filming it. However, I’ve been told that in “The Secret Hours“, we learn who they are, but they are disguised under code names?”

“As long as they keep it on air, I’ll do it”

Indeed, you’re on the money! But when an agent accidentally lets one rip during a covert operation, it’s an instant giveaway that’s none other than Jackson Lamb in action. “Leaking your secret identity,” chuckles Oldman humorously.

In that specific discussion about Oldman for the show TopMob prior to the debut of Slow Horses, we highlighted a difference between his character and John le Carré’s George Smiley from the 2011 movie Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I referred to this transition as “From Smiley to Smelly”. Oldman responded with “Yeah. That’s clever,” expressing surprise since no one on the show had thought of that comparison before.

It struck me, though, in this series, that the two spies came closer. Beneath George’s chosen (smooth) manner and Jackson’s favoured (rough) surface, there is a lot of pain and damage? “Yes! I think they’re both essentially good men. The North Pole of their moral compasses is more aligned than one might imagine. They despise the bureaucracy and corruption of spying. You could imagine Smiley – as a sidelined outsider at times – having ended up in Slough House.” And, unusually for spies, neither lies. Smiley by leaving pauses, Lamb by always saying exactly what he thinks. “Yeah, there’s subtext.”

I told Paolo Sorrentino I’d play a shadow on a wall for him

In the gaps between his appearances in “Slow Horses,” Oldman continues to take on smaller roles, such as playing President Harry Truman in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and the writer John Cheever in Paolo Sorrentino’s upcoming film “Parthenope.” However, landing the significant role of Lamb suggests that he might be turning down other opportunities; is this a cause for frustration?

“Negative, I prefer not to be informed about any more incoming matters. It’s futile. I’m convinced that there were chances I overlooked. To put it simply, a single morning’s work was enough for Oppenheimer, spanning just five hours. Parthenope, though, was a small role in Sorrentino’s movie, but I would have taken on the role of a mere shadow on a wall for him. It was a lovely setting – ten days in Capri, with six of them being filming days – so it’s hard to decline such an opportunity.”

In Palm Springs, California, Oldman resides with his fifth spouse, art connoisseur Gisele Schmidt. Known for portraying President Truman and Lee Harvey Oswald, the presidential assassin, in Oliver Stone’s JFK (1991), it’s intriguing that Oldman finds himself in America during the 2024 election season, where a candidate (Trump) survives an assassination attempt and another (Biden) steps down eight days later.

Sure thing!

2024-08-30 17:05

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