«Our spies are imperfect people»- Corriere.it

Almost thirty years have passed since Kristin Scott Thomas’s film debut in the role of Fiona, unrequitedly in love with Four weddings and a funeral. Now on TV she plays the role of a very different woman. Diana Taverner, the cold and capable second incumbent of MI5, the British secret service agency, in Slow Horses, the series based on the spy novels by Mick Herron. The second season airs on Apple Tv+, six episodes taken from the adaptation of Dead Lions, the second novel in the series. Once again Gary Oldman masterfully plays Jackson Lamb, the brilliant, irascible and scruffy leader of the group of spies who, due to unforgivable mistakes, end up in Slough House, the quagmire, parking units of failed secret agents.

The second season, directed by Jeremy Loveringalso stars Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves and Jonathan Pryce, and chronicles long-buried Cold War secrets that have only recently been resurfaced. Secrets that threaten possible carnage on the streets of London. The Cold War, Russia versus the Western World. All very topical, yet Herron’s novel was written in unsuspecting times. We’ve been telling the same story a million times since humanity started recording the facts about her – says the actress -. This is why we are so interested in old stories. The same story can be set in the 1950s or today, and have a completely different resonance and meaning. But always the same story.

The actress confesses that she has never read Herron, considered a new Le Carr. Spy novels are not my favorite. a world I don’t know, an experience I know nothing about. I have no affinity with Diana either. Perhaps the only thing we have in common is the fact that we are both towards the end of our careers and have no intention of giving up. Her role in the series? a cold woman, perhaps the most insolent, and also mean, character she has ever played. There is no reason behind her ferocity: simply consumed by ambition. also a manipulator. I am the opposite. I’m the worst in the world when it comes to hiding my intentions, and I tend to give up early. But she is unstoppable.

Among the things that the actress appreciated the most there is also the sense of humor of the series. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything so edgy. Jackson Lamb’s character is amazing. Spy stories always have perfect protagonists, the best of the best in their field. Here are normal, fallacious people who try their best but often their best is not enough.

Aside from a few cameos, Scott Thomas at his first rehearsal with a television series: I don’t know anything about seriality. Series, seasons, episodes, I don’t even know the difference in terms. It was difficult to maintain concentration for so long: sometimes weeks go by between takes. There is no continuity of the film set. What convinced me was the prospect of working with Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden with whom I had acted in aElectra at the theatre.

Yes, the theatre, his true passion: Acting in front of an audience has great appeal for me. I happened to do it in small theaters or in huge venues. On Broadway, in a 12,000-seat hall, I brought The Seagull by Chekhov, for the first time in America.