“A pinch-me moment”: Slow Horses actor Ruth Bradley opens up about working with Gary Oldman

Slow Horses ( Image via YouTube / Apple TV )
Slow Horses ( Image via YouTube / Apple TV )

Working on Slow Horses has been credited as nothing short of "a pinch-me moment," particularly for the chance to play across from the legend Gary Oldman. Right from the first day of shooting, Bradley was struck by how much professionalism and richness were brought to his performances by Oldman.

This new season not only takes the team further into the depths of the spy world but also provides an insider's glimpse at camaraderie in the cast and one of the most brilliant actors of cinema.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Bradley explained,

"I was totally obsessed with his conviction, and in hindsight, just his performance, Some of those lines were tricky, and he sold them and made them completely real. "

This attributed her real-world admiration for Oldman and the atmosphere on set. She went on,

"Yeah, it's still the most pinch-me [thing], doing two-handers with Gary. It's still amazing."

For Bradley, being present on the set and among Oldman was the sort of career moment most actors could hardly ever hope for, and she wasn't afraid to admit the excitement and nerves that came with it.


Ruth Bradley's time on Slow Horses

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Ruth Bradley has always had a knack for spanning performances on TV and screen. Coming into newest season, she stepped into a pre-existing world that already had characters and intricate storylines. Bradley's character brings new life and perspective to the narrative and broadens the spy world that the show is renowned for.

Her performances don't call for merely fine acting chops but also the skill to navigate the tense, ironic humor and the dark undertones that define Slow Horses. Slow Horses preparation is intense. Actors, such as Bradley, invest considerable time getting to know the motivations and backstories of their characters. Bradley mentions one of the positives in coming aboard the show as being the collaborative nature in which scenes would often naturally arise due to an actor's chemistry with his co-stars.

This enables the show to maintain its own specific tension, dry wit, and emotional intensity.


Working with Gary Oldman: Lessons learned

Gary Oldman's on-set presence is a Slow Horses signature. The veteran actor has decades of experience, yet Bradley explains how he always stays humble around co-stars. As per Deadline, Bradley said,

"Sometimes it’s weird doing a scene looking into his eyes and thinking: “I’ve seen every performance you’ve ever given.” He was my absolute idol,”

Seeing him do it live gave Bradley an insight into subtlety, timing, and character work, the skills she insists will carry over to her future work.

Apart from technical skills, Bradley also recognized Oldman's patience and diligence. Slow Horses is a production that has become famous for its intricate plotlines and in-depth character studies, something which tends to put pressure on its actors.

Oldman's solid knack of being able to manage these pressures made it possible to offer a supportive atmosphere where new actors such as Bradley could establish themselves promptly.


The impact of Slow Horses on Bradley's life

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Slow Horses' participation has been a turning point in Bradley's career. In addition to international exposure of the show to audiences worldwide, it also includes access to working with the best talent. For her, Bradley herself has stated that Slow Horses' participation has lifted her mood, challenging her to experiment with other aspects of her art.

The experience only serves to demonstrate how working on quality shows can be inspiring and educational at the same time.


Behind-the-scenes dynamics

The series is also highly commended not just for the plots but also for the cast dynamics off-camera. Bradley spoke about how the camaraderie makes the long working days manageable. While espionage, treachery, and danger are handled on-screen, off-camera actors typically enjoy lighter repartee about scenes, motives, and improvisation potential.

Such get-togethers allow for a cohesive cast, useful in a program such as Slow Horses, where relationships between characters drive most of the tension.


Storytelling in Slow Horses

The story is the misfit spies of MI5 and their work woes. The addition of Bradley's character also deepens these arcs further so that the series is able to delve into moral ambiguity and loyalty in espionage. The slow burn ensures that even minor characters are added, but the series doesn't lose its tone and speed fans have come to expect.

For Bradley, working on such complex storytelling has also not been easy but fulfilling.


New season updates

The second run of the show features darker narratives, as the showrunners focus on individual stakes for each character. The interview feedback by Bradley implies that showrunners have penned storylines that tread a fine line of vulnerability and strategy, ramping up tension and emotional depth.

The blending of Bradley's new addition and Oldman's veteran presence adds depth to the viewing, validating the essence of why it is so compelling.


For Ruth Bradley, it has been a lifetime opportunity to work Gary Oldman, a true "pinch-me moment." From characterization to handling intricate storylines, Bradley's experience bears witness to the difficulties and the payback of collaborating with a top-rated series.

As Slow Horses continues to grow, Bradley's role is a significant addition to its cast, showcasing the continued dedication to story, performance, and collaboration.

Also read: "Hanging by your fingernails": How The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger found the perfect intro song for Slow Horses

Edited by Anjali Singh