Hugo Weaving will officially return to Slow Horses for season 6, as the evil Frank Harkness. The hit Apple TV+ espionage drama, based on Mick Herron’s Slough House novels, follows the escapades of pariah operatives sent to Slough House under the command of the abrasive Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). Season 4 introduced Weaving as Frank Harkness, a former CIA operative whose child soldier scheme and link to River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) complicated the show’s already stressful storyline. Slow Horses season 5 has yet to air, but season 6 has already been confirmed.
According to Variety, Weaving confirmed his character’s reappearance in Slow Horses season 6, teasing interesting developments for future seasons. River is revealed to be one of Frank’s sons at the end of season 4, having escaped Frank’s efforts to raise young boys into obedient killing machines. Weaving had this to say about the upcoming part of the series, which he will begin filming in London in January:
Each season is essentially a book, yet each one deviates slightly from the others. We’re getting to the stage in Slow Horses where the seasons are catching up to the number of novels [Mick] Herron has written.
Hugo Weaving’s Return to Slow Horses: What It Means
Frank Harkness’ story is far from over. Weaving’s By the end of Slow Horses’ fourth season, Frank Harkness had emerged as a crucial player. The fourth season of the spy series delves into Frank’s horrifying scheme, in which he fathered many sons with various women and housed them at an isolated compound in France to train them as child soldiers. Frank attempts to recruit River, but he declines, becoming one of Frank’s only sons to rebel against their father. Frank’s ability to cunningly manipulate individuals around him while keeping his larger ambitions hidden makes him an interesting foe to revisit.
With Frank’s capture in the season 4 conclusion, Slow Horses alluded at unfinished business, particularly his veiled threats to MI5. Frank’s return in season 6 could reveal more about his relationship with River and MI5’s hidden dealings with his hired killers. Furthermore, Weaving’s comment about the show catching up to Herron’s series—which comprises of nine books and five novellas—indicates that Slow Horses may start including fresh content, giving the writers greater creative flexibility to explore into side characters like Frank.
Our Take On Hugo Weaving’s Return To Slow Horses
The sinister villain’s return raises the stakes for season 6.
Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving) speaks with Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) in the Slow Horses season 4 finale.
Weaving’s menacing yet captivating portrayal of Frank is one of the most riveting additions to Slow Horses’ cast. Frank and River’s tight father-son relationship is ripe for more investigation, especially as River struggles with his moral code while confronted with the man who caused his pain. Slow Horses, which welcomes Frank back for its sixth season, is also expected to reveal the twisted power dynamics between MI5 and Slough House. With Oldman, Lowden, and Weaving returning, season 6 promises to be a powerful continuation of one of television’s most riveting dramas.