The Day of the Jackalhas made quite a splash since its release in November 2024, but while waiting for the hit series to return, Apple TV+ has the perfect replacement show. Inspired by the 1971 novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth and the 1973 movie,The Day of the Jackaladded some very modern changesand a massive ending twist that kept audiences on their toes.The Day of the Jackal’s endingsaw one of the main characters die, while the other’s future was left unclear.
As a result,season 2 ofThe Day of the Jackalwill necessarily have to make some big changes in exploring what comes next for the Jackal. No doubt, the character will be out for revenge on his wealthy employer while simultaneously attempting to locate his wife and son. What’s more, Bianca’s absence means that someone else may have to step in to fill the role of the Jackal’s hunter, leaving open many possibilities. While it could be some time before season 2 is completed, Apple TV+ has the perfect replacement show with a new season coming soon.
Slow Horses Is Another Great Spy Thriller To Watch While Waiting For The Day Of The Jackal’s Return
The British Thriller Series Is One Of The Best Current Spy Shows
While Eddie Redmayne has teased anupdate forThe Day of the Jackalseason 2, there is still no word on a filming or release timeline. In the meantime, though,Slow Horsesis the perfect spy series for fans of the genre.The British crime thriller follows the disgraced MI5 agents who are sent to work at Slough House, where unwanted and unimportant cases get dumped. The ragtag band of Slough House agents are often not seen as important, but throughout the series, they manage to get involved in some surprisingly big cases.
Excitingly, the show has four seasons so far, giving fans ofThe Day of the Jackalplenty to get caught up on.
Slow Horses’agents and the cases they become involved in are often far more personally connected than they may initially seem, allowing the team to make some important discoveries. Excitingly, the show has four seasons so far, giving fans ofThe Day of the Jackalplenty to get caught up on. What’s more, the series has been renewed for seasons 5 and 6, withSlow Horsesseason 5set to premiere on Jul 14, 2025.Deadlinereported that season 6 has already finished filming too, meaning fans won’t be left waiting for long.
Slow Horses & The Day Of The Jackal Are Both Based On Fantastic Novels
Slow Horses Follows Mick Herron’s Slough House Series
The Day of the Jackal’s inspiration from the novel of the same name is great, as the novel itself is such a staple in the political thriller genre. At the time of its release, Forsyth’s novel received widespread praise, and it has remained popular ever since. While the new series does take some liberties in modernizing the source material, the classic political thriller and spy aspects remain strong. Similarly,Slow Horsesis based on Mick Herron’sSlough Housenovel series.
Beginning with the 2010 novelSlow Horses, each season of the TV series has focused on a different book. Seasons 2, 3, and 4 have focused onDead Lions, Real Tigers, andSpook Street. Season 5 is set to followLondon Rules, andSlow Horsesseason 6 will take inspiration from bothJoe CountryandSlough House. So far,there are nine novels in the series, along with several novellas, with the most recent novel having been published earlier in 2025, giving the show plenty of material to work with.
Slow Horses Is More Comedic Than The Day Of The Jackal
Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb Provides Great Comedic Moments
While bothThe Day of the JackalandSlow Horsesare based on great novels,Slow Horsesis far more comedic.The Day of the Jackalis very straightforwardly a thriller series with some elements of family drama mixed in. This approach definitely works for the series, butSlow Horses' different tone is just as great in its own way.The Apple TV+ series is irreverent and darkly funny, and Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb is the perfect lead in that department.
While all the show’s characters have their own share of blunders and humorous moments (after all, they had to end up in Slough House somehow), Oldman’s character’s gruff demeanor stands out. Of course, like any good thriller series,Slow Horsesstill drums up plenty of action to keep viewers hooked, but the show and its cast’s ability to deftly balance the action and spy-focused moments with comedy is what takesSlow Horsesto the next level and makes it one of the best spy thrillers to watch afterThe Day of the Jackal.
The Day of the Jackal
Cast
In this gripping thriller, an elusive assassin known as the Jackal orchestrates high-stakes hits for exorbitant fees, only to confront a determined British intelligence officer. Their tense pursuit unfolds across Europe, blending intense action with strategic maneuvers in a relentless cat-and-mouse chase.
Slow Horses
Slow Horses follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents led by the notorious Jackson Lamb. Set against the backdrop of the espionage world, the agents must navigate complex operations and defend England from sinister forces, all while dealing with internal struggles and their abrasive boss.
