Introduction to the Interview
In a thoughtful interview titled “It’s a war of attrition”, the Slow Horses showrunner perseverance in screenwriting takes center stage. Showrunner Will Smith shares how persistence and character-first storytelling shaped the Apple TV+ spy drama (Slow Horses)
The Perseverance Behind the Script
Showrunner Smith explains that writing Slow Horses resembled trench warfare. He emphasizes that perseverance helped turn early drafts into Emmy-winning scripts. He notes “character is story,” meaning compelling characters drive the narrative forward, not plot devices.
Smith also recounts his early days on the U.K. comedy circuit, where he tested punchlines before career breakthroughs. The same resilience carried over to his writer’s room—constant rewrites and layer-building became the norm. Ultimately, the show’s emotional richness reflects this relentless effort .
Building the Episodes: Step by Step
Crafting Slow Horses began with a strong screenplay focus. The team structured each episode around core character dilemmas before layering spy plots. This approach helped ground emotional arcs in reality, while maintaining suspense.
Next came the script breakdown phase. Writers outlined beats, conflicts, and reveals per episode. Then they refined scenes to ensure rising tension and character payoffs aligned. As a result, show momentum felt earned and authentic.
Production Insights & the Team
The cast and crew collaborated closely from the early creative stages. Will Smith prioritized casting actors who could embody the complex team at MI5’s Slough House. Attention to casting let actors bring nuance and authenticity to emotionally charged material.
Meanwhile, production utilized a detailed film scheduling system to optimize location days and streamline shoot timelines. That planning minimized downtime and kept morale high across long, intense production periods.
Why “War of Attrition” Resonates
Smith insists that screenwriting—and especially serialized TV—requires embracing setbacks. Every draft refines sequence and pacing. Every rewrite sharpens character motivations. The process is slow, but endurance pays off in depth and audience engagement.
His advice is simple: keep writing, even if progress feels incremental. Character-first instincts guide story. Tenacity wins out over flash-in-the-pan inspiration.
Tips for Screenwriters Inspired by Smith
1. Lean into character first: Know who your characters are before plotting scenes.
2. Embrace draft after draft: Each rewrite reveals new emotional layers.
3. Outline using script breakdowns to spot pacing gaps early.
4. Schedule wisely: Use film scheduling tools to align location shoots and actor availability.
5. Persist daily: Treat the craft like a war of attrition—steady work leads to breakthroughs.
Final Thoughts
The interview titled “It’s a war of attrition” affirms that Slow Horses showrunner perseverance was the story’s secret weapon. From character focus to disciplined scheduling, the show’s slow-burning excellence was earned. Aspiring writers and showrunners can learn much from Smith’s disciplined, character-driven, resilient approach.
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