From the moment Jack Lowden started running during the very opening scene of Slow Horses, we were both hooked and hoodwinked. The commitment Lowden showed as River Cartwright, barreling through an airport and stopping at nothing to achieve his goal, suggested this was a TV show about high-profile operators. Of course, those already familiar with Mick Herron’s series of novels knew the reality, that Slow Horses is a British spy thriller with a difference.

Cartwright, like the rest of the occupants of Slough House, is an MI5 reject: bad enough to be expelled from the mothership but not quite sackable. Since that glorious opening scene, the series has continued to win praise, viewers and multiple awards including an Emmy and BAFTA. Everyone likes an underdog to do well, so the show’s appeal makes perfect sense. MI5 high heidyin Diana Taverner (the wonderfully icy Kristin Scott Thomas) may think the Slough House gang is a bunch of numpties, but we know different.

Over the course of four darkly humorous seasons, they’ve saved Britain on several occasions, pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes (including ours) until the final scene. Team leader Jackson Lamb (the wonderfully disgusting Gary Oldman) may smell like week-old takeaway, but his mind is fresh as a daisy. And he’s surrounded by an ensemble of talent (the actors and the characters they play). All of which makes season five eagerly anticipated, as we try to figure out the deal with techie Roddy’s glamorous new girlfriend. Not only that, but we’ll have the pleasure of comedian Nick Mohammed for company, too.

Slow Horses is back on Apple TV+ from Wednesday 24 September.