One day before the start of the sixth season and one day after the show's next Emmy win, Apple has renewed the spy series for an eighth season. It will be based on the ninth novel in the book series, with Gary Oldman returning as Jackson Lamb – and this time the enemy is within his own home.
The announcement comes with striking timing: Season six premieres on September 16, the date of which was revealed in the trailer in August, and the night before, the series won the Emmy Award for Best Directing in a Drama Series. Apple confirmed the renewal in a press release.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Season eight comprises six episodes and is based on "Clown Town", the ninth novel in the Slough House series by Mick Herron.
- Gary Oldman reprises his role as Jackson Lamb
- The plot revolves around the conflict between Lamb and Diana Taverner.
- Ben Vanstone is writing the television adaptation, and Adam Randall is directing again.
- Season six starts on September 16th, season seven was already ordered last year.
What season eight is about
Apple describes the plot as the most intense clash yet between Lamb and Taverner: A botched blackmail attempt against MI5 headquarters puts Taverner on the offensive, and Lamb must uncover one of the agency's darkest secrets. The series thus remains true to its pattern of seeking the real enemy not abroad, but within its own agency.
Six episodes will be the same length as before. See-Saw Films will continue to produce, with Oldman and Herron remaining on board as executive producers.
The series is fully planned until further notice
| Season | Status |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | fully accessible |
| 6 | Start on September 16, 2026 |
| 7 | Ordered last year, no date given |
| 8 | Ordered now, six episodes, based on "Clown Town" |
This means that two more seasons beyond the one that has just started are confirmed. For a series whose cast has to be planned around an actor with a full film schedule, this lead time is the real value of the announcement – filming schedules for Oldman can be secured years in advance.
Why Apple extended early
The series is one of the few Apple productions with a reliable award track record: three Emmys and five BAFTA Television Awards. At tonight's gala, it also received the directing award, one of a total of 29 awards won by Apple TV.
For viewers in German-speaking countries, the announcement doesn't change anything in the short term – but it does change the question of whether it's worth starting. Those beginning from scratch have five completed seasons to enjoy, and starting tomorrow, a sixth, along with the assurance that the story won't be cut short. What else is starting in September can be found in the month's program guide.
What appeals to you most about the series is the biting tone surrounding Jackson Lamb or the spy plot itself – and would you still watch an eighth season if it doesn't air until 2029? Let us know in the comments how long you typically stick with a series.
