The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert - Episode: Stephen Presents: Slow Horses
Release Date: July 8, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert and co-host Becca welcome listeners and introduce a special segment featuring an exclusive interview with the cast of the acclaimed Apple TV series, Slow Horses. The episode delves into behind-the-scenes insights, personal anecdotes, and the actors' experiences working on the show.

Exclusive Cast Interview: Slow Horses

Participants:

• Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright
• Kristen Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner
• Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb
• Jack Loudon as River Cartwright

Stephen Colbert initiates the conversation by expressing his excitement about interviewing such a distinguished cast. He remarks, "It's very enjoyable" ([08:00]).

Joining the Cast: Colbert asks the actors about joining a storied ensemble, to which Kristen Scott Thomas responds with humor and humility:

"I still feel slightly sad that I've never been in a situation where I've been in a scene with all three of them at the same time." ([09:10])

Gary Oldman's Transformation: A highlight of the discussion centers on Gary Oldman's portrayal of Jackson Lamb. Stephen pokes fun at the character's appearance:

"You look like Jackson Lamb to me right now." ([10:00])

Challenges of the Role: Jack Loudon shares his experience with the character's physical transformation:

"I had done... I put on a few pounds... and then this was presented to me, and it was this scruffy fellow who's overweight and an alcoholic." ([10:24])

Memorable Scenes: The conversation turns to specific scenes, such as Jackson Lamb's noodle-eating scenes. Kristen Scott Thomas admits to muting parts of the episode:

"I have that unfortunate time I have to put it on mute and just read the subtitles." ([11:12])

Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics: The hosts explore the chemistry among the cast members. Jack Loudon humorously recounts teasing Kristen about romantic developments:

"Have you read book eight? You read book seven? She goes, no, I haven't got to that yet." ([12:07])

Accents and Acting Skills

Stephen Colbert engages the cast in a playful challenge to perform various accents, highlighting their versatility:

"Can you do them?" ([13:01])

Joint Participation: The cast members showcase their ability to mimic regional accents, with Jonathan Pryce performing a posh accent:

"It's all right. Not bad, is it?" ([13:22])

American Accent Competition: The segment culminates in an American accent competition where the cast humorously delivers quintessential American phrases:

"Jonathan Pryce: 'Hey, sweetheart, can I get extra sour cream on these fully loaded potato skins?' [14:07]"
"Kristen Scott Thomas: 'Love it. Love it.' [14:15]"

Insights on the Acting Industry

The discussion shifts to broader topics within the acting profession. Kristen Scott Thomas shares her observations on the evolving landscape:

"Actors now are expected to be the finished article very quickly... It's a joy to go to work with these three." ([17:01])

Jonathan Pryce echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of experience and perseverance in acting:

"It's amazing when you look and you see a career like yours... it's quite impressive." ([17:20])

Kristen further critiques the pressure on emerging actors:

"The pressure is so huge... and you can see it every day when we come go on sets." ([17:20])

Admiration Among Peers: The cast expresses mutual respect and admiration, with Kristen highlighting the excellence of her co-stars:

"My favorite thing about being in this is just watching good actors." ([19:02])

Concluding Remarks

Stephen Colbert wraps up the interview by thanking the cast for their time and sharing excitement for the upcoming season:

"Season 5 of Slow Horses premieres September 24th on Apple TV." ([19:39])

He encourages listeners to follow the show for more exclusive content and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Key Takeaways

• Behind-the-Scenes Insights: The cast of Slow Horses shares their personal experiences and challenges while portraying complex characters.
• Acting Dynamics: Discussions highlight the camaraderie among seasoned actors and their perspectives on the current state of the acting industry.
• Humorous Interactions: Lighthearted moments, such as accent challenges and character transformations, add a relatable and entertaining layer to the conversation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kristen Scott Thomas on Acting Pressure:
  "Actors now are expected to be the finished article very quickly... It's a joy to go to work with these three." ([17:01])

• Jack Loudon on Character Transformation:
  "I had done... I put on a few pounds... and then this was presented to me, and it was this scruffy fellow who's overweight and an alcoholic." ([10:24])

• Jonathan Pryce on Career Longevity:
  "It's amazing when you look and you see a career like yours... it's quite impressive." ([17:20])

This episode offers fans an intimate look into the making of Slow Horses, enriched by the actors' reflections on their craft and the industry's evolution. Stephen Colbert successfully bridges humor with insightful dialogue, making it a compelling listen for both ardent followers of the show and new audiences alike.