Will Smith's name has been buzzing alongside the Emmy-winning spy drama Slow Horses, sparking wild guesses and Hollywood whispers. From award nights to espionage plots, eager fans wondered if the famous actor had a secret MI5 gig. But this tale is not about the Fresh Prince’s blockbuster charm; the intrigue lies elsewhere, cloaked in British wit and shadowy Slough House corridors where slow horses gallop with surprising cunning.

When it comes to spy dramas, not all Will Smiths wear suits; some write scripts that pack a punch.

The truth is, the Will Smith behind Slow Horses is a British Emmy-winning writer and showrunner, born in 1971 and raised in Jersey. He has adapted Mick Herron’s novels for Apple TV Plus, defining the show’s sharp tone since its 2022 debut. His work has swept the 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and in 2025, for Best Directing. 

Slow Horses is a clever British espionage thriller centering on disgraced MI5 agents banished to Slough House, a purgatory for failed spies. Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, a grumpy but brilliant leader who carries the series with biting sarcasm and unexpected strategies. The show combines sly humor, complex characters, and tense plots, earning critical acclaim and multiple Emmy wins.

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In the world of espionage, Slow Horses proves it is not just the fast who survive, but the clever—and that includes their Emmy-winning showrunner Will Smith.

Produced by See-Saw Films and streaming on Apple TV Plus, the series has been planned through to seven seasons. Will Smith has been set to leave after the fifth and most recent, passing the creative torch on. The show shines as a unique blend of humor and suspense, reinventing spy storytelling with a distinct British edge.

To clear the air: Will Smith, the British writer, is the mastermind behind Slow Horses. The Hollywood actor Will Smith has no connection to the series. So, next time someone jokes about the Fresh Prince running MI5, now the facts are clear—this Smith writes with a pen, not a pistol. Slow Horses continues to captivate audiences, dominating for decades alongside the likes of The Game of Thrones and The Bear with sharp writing and stellar performances.

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What do you think of Slow Horses sweeping the 2025 Emmys with a different Will Smiths backing? Let us know in the comments below.