Fans of the hit TV show “Slow Horses” have long wondered about the mysterious past of Jackson Lamb, the brilliant yet gruff leader portrayed by Gary Oldman. Now, showrunner Will Smith has discussed the possibility of a prequel series that dives deeper into Lamb’s history. However, such a project would face significant creative challenges to capture the essence of the beloved character.
In a recent interview, Smith talked about both the opportunities and risks of exploring Lamb’s backstory through a potential prequel. While some audience curiosity exists, Smith originally thought delving too far into the mysteries surrounding Lamb could diminish their appeal. He pointed to other fictional characters whose revealed pasts sometimes lost some of their magic.
However, Mick Herron’s novel “The Secret Hours” provides potential source material for a prequel. The book offers a glimpse of Lamb in postwar Berlin in a way that maintains his character. Smith praised the novel, calling it “fantastic.” This has opened up new possibilities, as adapting the established framework could explore Lamb without fully explaining away his intrigue.
One major hurdle would be finding an actor to suitably portray a younger version of Lamb. Smith believes Gary Oldman inhabits the role so uniquely that he is irreplaceable. Oldman’s performance is key to the character’s appeal. As a possible solution, Smith floated the idea of using de-aging technology to allow Oldman himself to take on the challenge of a past version of Lamb.
Despite the interesting opportunities, Smith stressed that no prequel plans are set. The discussion highlights the balance between satisfying curiosity and preserving what makes Lamb compelling. While “The Secret Hours” provides a foundation, significant creative challenges would remain in bringing a younger Lamb to screens. As “Slow Horses” continues to entertain audiences, the prequel possibility intrigues both fans and creators.