Gary Oldman is one of the most prolific actors ever. He has the reputation of being incredibly versatile. He’s been in so many different roles, he’s been able to crossover from artsy roles to commercial ones. He’s even inhabited many different accents. You would also be hard-pressed to find anyone who dislikes him.
The academy award-winning British actor recently sat down with Deadline to discuss the second season of his Apple Original series, Slow Horses. Oldman feels he’s had a very blessed, long, illustrious career and has been thinking about retirement after his latest series.
Olman explains,
I’ve had an enviable career, but careers wane, and I do have other things that interest me outside of acting. When you’re young, you think you’re going to get round to doing all of them — read that book — then the years go by. I’m 65 next year, 70 is around the corner. I don’t want to be active when I’m 80. I’d be very happy and honored and privileged to go out as Jackson Lamb [his character in Slow Horses] — and then hang it up.”
The good news is, while the second season is on the horizon, he’s contracted for two more years, so he could conceivably squeeze in other roles in between seasons. And he has reunited with Christopher Nolan for the upcoming drama Oppenheimer, so he won’t be leaving the business anytime soon.
Slow Horses is based on a series of best-selling books by Mick Herron. Oldman plays spymaster Jackson Lamb, who is the boss of ‘Slough House,’ “a kind of Siberia for disgraced agents, where they’re sent in the hope they’ll retire.” After its premiere on AppleTV+, it’s been regarded with acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Oldman’s career includes nabbing three academy award nominations, including one victory for his role as Winston Churchill in The Darkest Hour. His roles in blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter and The Dark Knight films also makes him one of the highest-grossing actors ever, up there with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Harrison Ford.