Slow Horses creator and showrunner Will Smith said he left after Season 5 because he could not finish Season 6 scripts within the show’s production schedule. He described the decision as a practical response to overlapping work, not a planned departure or a reported dispute.
Why did Will Smith leave Slow Horses?
In an interview published October 29, 2025, Smith said the deadlines for Season 6 were approaching while the show’s work across other seasons was still underway. TheWrap reported that the writers’ room was working on Season 5 while the team edited Season 3 and filmed Season 4. Smith said the workload made it clear he would not be able to complete the next season’s scripts on time.
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“It wasn’t a decision. It was a practical acceptance of reality,” Smith told TheWrap. He said the production schedule could not be moved, so he could not continue into Season 6. In a separate interview reported by SlashFilm, he likewise said he did not want to leave but could not get the scripts ready for the schedule.
Smith called the parting sad for both sides: “It was with great sadness on both sides, but I sadly couldn’t keep going.” His explanation is his own account; the available reporting does not establish a separate Apple statement confirming his personal reason for leaving.
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Why did he leave completely rather than stay involved?
Asked why he did not continue in a smaller role, Smith said he thought stepping away entirely was best for him. He told TheWrap: “I’m not very good at bringing a light touch to things. Something like this is all-consuming for me.” That describes his personal approach to the work, rather than a claim that the production asked him to leave.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to the show after Smith’s departure?
The series continued. Apple’s September 15, 2026 announcement said Season 6 was slated to premiere on September 16, 2026, and confirmed an eighth season, based on Mick Herron’s ninth Slough House novel, Clown Town. Apple also said the first five seasons were streaming on Apple TV at the time of that announcement; availability may vary or change after its publication. The announcement is Apple TV Press.
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TheWrap reported in October 2025 that Gabby Chiappe and Ben Vanstone were tapped to run Seasons 6 and 7. Apple’s 2026 announcement named Vanstone as adapter and executive producer for Season 8. Those later-season details show the series continued beyond Smith’s exit, but they do not alter the reason he gave for leaving.
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