How 'Slow Horses' turned London's grittiest corners into global tourist hotspots
Apple TV’s 'Slow Horses' has transformed overlooked, grimy London locations into major tourist attractions, driving demand for specialized walking tours that highlight the show’s authentic, gritty depiction of the city.
Key points
- The show’s sixth season concluded this week, cementing its status as a global hit that draws fans to real-world filming locations.
- Tour guide Susannah Cohen runs sold-out, twice-weekly tours focusing on 'Slow Horses' sites, including the fictional Slough House office and the Barbican Estate.
- Director Adam Randall emphasizes the show’s commitment to geographically accurate, gritty locations, contrasting with the polished portrayals of London in other media.
- Fans from around the world travel to see specific spots, such as the Regent’s Canal bench and the Barbican Highwalk, often reacting with delight to the unglamorous settings.
- The series has influenced local businesses, with some undergoing minor on-screen transformations while others, like Vecchio Parioli Italian restaurant, remain unchanged and recognizable.
Background
Recent archive coverage notes that 'Slow Horses' Season 7 is adapting Mick Herron’s 'Bad Actors' with a new cast, including Varada Sethu and Ethan Moorhouse, while Season 6 featured the death of Tom Brooke’s character J.K. Coe, a pivotal moment in the series' ongoing narrative.
Why it matters
The phenomenon illustrates how streaming content can reshape urban tourism by highlighting authentic, unglamorous aspects of a city, challenging traditional postcard-style portrayals and creating new economic and cultural value for overlooked neighborhoods.
What to watch
Season 7 is already completed, and filming for Season 8 is underway, with new locations in Oxford expected to introduce a different texture to the series, while Cohen continues to expand her tour offerings to accommodate growing demand.
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