MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum has described himself as a "Slow Horses man", saying he is a fan of the hit thriller series.
The Apple TV+ show stars Oscar-winning actor Sir Gary Oldman as the crude and foul-mouthed boss of a team of rejected and dysfunctional MI5 agents stationed at Slough House.
In a video posted to the official MI5 Instagram on Wednesday, the intelligence officer revealed that he enjoys the popular show.
Answering questions at the National Archives, Sir Ken was asked what he thinks about MI5 and MI6 – which are the two primary intelligence and security agencies of the UK.
He said: "I suppose maybe the person who wrote the question wanted to hear that there's some rivalry or whatever – the truth is they are our friends, they are our colleagues.
"MI5, MI6, (Government Communications Headquarters), the police and others have to work together and want to work together in a really big team, each doing our particular thing, the thing that we are specialists at – to keep the country safe together."
Sir Ken went on to reference two famous British depictions of espionage, and joked: "You might want to say there is room for both James Bond and Slow Horses."
Revealing his preference for the award-winning show, he added: "I happen myself to be a Slow Horses man."
The spy drama is based on best-selling novel Slow Horses by Mick Herron, and premiered in 2022 with Sir Gary starring as Jackson Lamb alongside Jack Lowden as agent River Cartwright and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner.
The Two Popes star Sir Jonathan Pryce also appeared in the series as retired British senior intelligence official David Cartwright.
The show won a Bafta in 2024 for Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series while Sir Gary has been recognised with Golden Globe, Emmy and Bafta nominations for his portrayal of intelligence officer Lamb.
The upcoming sixth series is set to air in September this year, and it has already received the green light for a seventh season – which will be produced by Ben Vanstone, with Robert McKillop, best known for Ludwig, as director.
