Christopher Chung on Why Gary Oldman is Unmatched as Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses (Exclusive Interview)

Slow Horses on Apple TV+ continues to strike a perfect balance between comedy and drama, now entering its fourth season. The characters remain as inept as ever, if not more so, but they still find themselves in critical situations where they must step in when even the most skilled law enforcement officials fail.

One of the most obnoxious and self-unaware characters in Slow Horses is Roddy Ho, portrayed spectacularly by Christopher Chung, showcasing a man who is nothing like him.

In a recent interview, the actor discussed how only one character in Slough House reflects the persona of the actor in real life. Chung expressed his admiration for Gary Oldman, who plays Jackson Lamb, the leader of the Slow Horses. Best known for his role as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter franchise, Lamb is known for his foul-mouthed demeanor as much as his ragged appearance in the series.

Chung commented:

“I can’t imagine anyone else playing that character. But if it was someone else, I don’t think it would be the same product or the same show.”

Which of the Slow Horses Most Resembles Their Character in Real Life?

Chung nominated Rosalind Eleazar, who plays Louisa Guy in the series, as the actor most akin to her character:

“Maybe Ros? Ros is super capable. She’s an extremely talented actress. Louisa is one of the only Slow Horses in Slough House who could potentially return to The Park. She’s definitely fit for the job. She had just one blunder, and that was enough to land her in Slough House.”

Within the chaotic universe of Slow Horses, Louisa Guy stands out as the voice of reason. Chung also noted that Gary Oldman surprisingly shares some traits with his character, with one key exception:

“So, I think really Ros. She doesn’t have any kind of loud flaws or anything. You’ve made me think about that one, Riju. Maybe Gary, but he doesn’t fart obnoxiously. In real life. Thankfully.”

When asked about Jackson Lamb’s finest moment, Chung highlighted not a witty line but an action that left him in stitches:

“It’s not so much a line as it is an action. In Season 2, when River returns to the office after an interview, Gary reaches into the filing cabinet and says, ‘We got you a leaving gift’ (Christopher Chung flips the bird, emulating Gary Oldman). And gives him the finger. It was absolutely magical.”

Chung initially didn’t know what to expect from working alongside a legend like Oldman. Over time, he has come to appreciate what a remarkable person the actor is, even off-camera.

When asked if Gary Oldman met Christopher Chung’s expectations, he replied:

“And Gary does. And far surpasses what you’d want from a leading man and number one on the call sheet. He leads from the front, and that sets the tone for all of us. He truly allows us to do our best work.”

Don’t miss a new episode of Slow Horses every Wednesday exclusively on Apple TV+.

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