Slow Horses just premiered its season 5 finale this week, and as was reported this summer, it was the last season for creator and showrunner Will Smith. In a new interview, Smith explains why he’s leaving the show despite it being renewed for two more seasons.
Showrunner Will Smith talks leaving Slow Horses
Slow Horses season 5 may feel like it just started, but due to the tight six-episode season, the finale is already available.
While Apple has renewed the hit show for seasons 6 and 7, those future seasons will be without a key creative force: creator and showrunner Will Smith (not the actor) is leaving the series.
Smith previously referenced the show’s intense production schedule as a factor in his decision. But in a new interview, he goes more in-depth on the change.
Speaking to TheWrap, Smith said:
“It wasn’t a decision. It was a practical acceptance of reality…As the deadlines for Season 6 approached, it was clear I was never going to be able to get the scripts done, because it’s kind of a juggling act working on this show. When we were doing the writers’ room for Season 5, it was at the same time we were editing Season 3 and [shooting] Season 4.” […] “it just hit a point where it was like, ‘I’m not going to be able to do [Season 6]’ and they couldn’t move the schedule around. It was with great sadness on both sides, but I sadly couldn’t keep going”
Often times showrunners stay on in a reduced role when scheduling or personal demands force them to make a change, but Smith says he is no longer involved in the series at all.
Why not? He explains: “I thought it was best to just [step completely away]…I’m not very good at bringing a light touch to things. Something like this is all-consuming for me.”
Apple already has two Slow Horses veterans lined up to take over showrunner duties in seasons 6 and 7. And Smith doesn’t sound concerned at all about the show pressing on under new leadership.
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