Olivia Cooke Discusses Return to ‘Slow Horses’ and Season 6’s Cliffhanger Finale
Olivia Cooke returns to 'Slow Horses' for Season 6, facing challenges and cliffhangers in the finale.
SPOILER ALERT, Oct 22: Olivia Cooke has returned to the Apple TV series ‘Slow Horses’ after four seasons, reprising her role as MI5 agent Sidonie Baker. This season has seen her character become embroiled in a deadly conflict involving Russian sleeper agents.
Cooke’s character Sid first appeared in Season 1, where she had a brief but memorable presence. Her supposed death in that season led viewers to anticipate her return, thanks to the source material from Mick Herron’s novels. ‘The fans were aware I was coming back,’ Cooke told Variety, noting her excitement to join a successful show that has received multiple Emmy nominations.
In Season 6, Sid and River Cartwright, played by Jack Lowden, navigate a perilous night filled with action and tension as they attempt to escape assassins targeting Slough House. The season culminates with a cliffhanger that leaves River collapsing after an apparent poisoning just as a kiss between him and Sid seems imminent.
Cooke described the filming environment as challenging, recalling, ‘We shot for over a month at night.’ She enjoyed reconnecting with the cast and crew despite the demanding schedule. Returning to the character after such a long break was bittersweet, especially as she observed her teammates having fun in earlier seasons. ‘I just don’t know. I have no clear answers,’ she expressed regarding her initial return.
The season’s finale, titled ‘Judgement Day,’ features intense moments, including confrontations between characters, particularly between Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman, and Diana Taverner, portrayed by Kristin Scott Thomas. The plot takes a darker turn as characters face consequences for decisions made throughout the season, including Taverner’s mishandling of an assassination plot that ultimately puts her own career in jeopardy.
Cooke hinted at her character’s development, explaining that Sid’s return is complicated due to the trauma she experienced during her absence. ‘I had to check back in with that,’ she said, emphasizing the character’s emotional growth since the first season. ‘It’s been a long road of recovery and introspection for her.’
The sixth season has marked a crucial point for ‘Slow Horses,’ combining high-stakes action with deep character studies, drawing the audience into a world where espionage intersects with personal dilemmas. As the season closes, Cooke expressed a desire for a dramatic showdown in the upcoming season, stating, ‘I want a showdown!’
