How did Gary Oldman fine-tune fart Sen to perfection in Slow Horses?
Gary Oldman and the quirky swag of Slow Horses season 4
As soon as season 4 of Slow Horses begins, Gary Oldman is back in action as his unapologetic, grumpy, and hilariously crude spymaster Jackson Lamb.
But it’s not just espionage thrills — the audience is getting a combo of Lamb’s humour, flatulence, and “dysfunctional family” vibes.
River’s “mout” that wasn’t real
In the opening episode, Lamb is called in to identify the dead body of River Cartwright (Jack Lowden).
But Lamb immediately realizes — it can’t be River.
Even in the midst of his suspicion, he drops his signature cutting one-liners:
“He used to have a face,” or again, “I make them wear clothes in the office.”
It’s this unfiltered wit that sets Lamb apart.
From book to screen
Oldman said he insisted on adding a small, cheeky line from the source novel Spook Street to the script — in the forensic scene, Lamb casually says, “Look, you missed a bit.”
These are the little touches that make the character feel real.
Lamb: a tough-love father figure
On the surface, Lamb appears to be rude and careless, but according to Oldman, he has an “iron rod” parenting style.
Less praise, more grounding — but doesn’t hesitate to take a bullet for his team.
Slough House, in his eyes, is a dysfunctional but loyal family.
Fine-tuning of Flatulence
And yes, Lamb’s legendary farts. Oldman himself was sending emails to the director that “the sound of the fart should be a little leather-muffled” — you might not find this level of scene-crafting in the BTS of any spy drama.
There is a warning for Season 5, too — a “gas release” scene that will shake up the whole cast.
Silent drink = Lamb’s hug
At the end of Season 4, River is safe, and Lamb shares a wordless drink with him at the bar. Oldman says – this is Lamb’s version of a hug.
Fewer compliments, more constant pressure to make him tough, but the connection with the heart is clear.
The charm of Slow Horses is the same – raw humour between spy games, flawed but fiercely loyal characters, and Gary Oldman’s flawless timing. And yes, farts have their own fanbase too.