Chris Connor chats with Slow Horses star Christopher Chung…
With Slow Horses airing the finale of its first block of episodes we had the pleasure of speaking with one of its leads Christopher Chung who plays the tech wizard Roddy Ho. Christopher discussed what’s made the show such a smash hit and what it was like working with Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas.
What do you feel separates Roddy from the other slow horses in the show? What makes him stand out?
Well, Roddy is the smartest one out of all the slow horses. He knows exactly what’s going on. And he doesn’t he doesn’t second guess himself, nor does he let anyone else second guess him. He’s very matter of fact. And he marches to the beat of his own drum. He doesn’t wait for anyone or doesn’t pander to the group. So I think that’s a lovely dynamic to be able to play he’s antagonistic in a similar kind of way that Jackson is to the group.
You’ve got an amazing cast for the show led by Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. How did you find working not just with those two, but the cast as a whole.
The cast that in itself is exceptional. I mean, getting to work with Gary and Kristin, Saskia Reeves and Jonathan Pryce just to be involved in a project that has such heavy hitters from the UK is such an incredible experience. It’s like getting paid to go to school, really, you get to learn on the job, you get to watch them create incredible moments, and also have the conversation with them about those moments and actually be brought into it and not just be dictated to. They’re so inclusive. It’s like how do you feel about it? How can we play this moment better? So it’s one of the most incredible jobs that I’ve had the pleasure of doing.
The show has been really well received, both from critics and from viewers. Do you think there’s a particular reason why it’s kind of resonated so well ?
I think it all comes down to the structure of the story and how Will Smith and the writers have managed to create a world that feels real, but as also littered with comedy and humour, but in a very non sitcom kind of way. It’s very truthful, and it’s just very well crafted. So I think the script in itself is the reason and obviously, you know, the incredible art direction, the incredible direction, the sound of the music, Mick Jagger’s theme song, there are just so many elements to this that I think have resonated with the viewership. And from what I understand, there’s such a incredible fan base for Mick Herron’s books and the feedback from them has been overwhelmingly positive. Once you get the real kind of fans of the book on side, then you’re on to a winner.
Have you gone back and read the novels since being involved in it?
Yes I have, I’m actually reading Spook Street at the moment, I’m kind of making my way through them all because, I mean, in a vain kind of way, I just want to know what happens to Roddy.
So are you able to tell us anything about the second block of episodes?
That it will be out at some point during this year.
That’s good enough for me. Can you tell us anything you’re working on next away from Slow Horses
I’m actually working on a couple of theatre projects at the moment. And in the midst of writing some bits and pieces that will hopefully be produced at some point in the next few years.
Is there anything else you’d like to cover ?
Thank you so much for watching. I mean, it’s incredible to be on a platform at the moment with Apple TV+ that is doing so incredibly well, with Coda winning the Oscar recently, Severance coming up, and seeing things like Pachinko being made. It’s so nice to have this kind of calibre of work and to be involved in it. I think there’s just so much more to come, which is so exciting.
Many thanks to Christopher Chung for taking the time for this interview. You can read our Slow Horses coverage here.
Chris Connor
