Gary Oldman portrays Jackson Lamb in Mick Herron's Slough House book series, which inspired the Apple TV+ show Slow Horses. However, Mick Herron has indicated that the portrayal is not exactly as it is presented in his writings and that Gary Oldman has presented a Jackson Lamb character on screen that is indeed different from the character portrayed in the novels and writings. Mick Herron made the comments about Gary Oldman's portrayal of Jackson Lamb in an interview with the Monterey Herald as part of their coverage of the series and Gary's role in it.For many readers of the Slough House Series and fans of Slow Horses, Jackson Lamb is a central figure in the narrative. Although he can be rude, abrasive, and generally unpleasant, he is also bright and sharp-minded. Therefore, many readers are excited to see the ways in which an outstanding actor like Gary Oldman has brought Jackson Lamb to life upon the small screen and enjoy discussing this process.It is through this particular interview with Mick Herron that we begin to comprehend the approach to adapting the character for the series and how actors are offered the opportunity to bring their creative input into the performances of characters while still being true to the essence of the work.Author Mick Herron on Oldman's version of Jackson Lamb in Slow HorsesMick Herron told a reporter that there are now "two Jacksons." One is the character he wrote in the novel Slow Horses. The other is the version that Gary Oldman plays on screen. According to Herron, both are real, but they are not exactly the same. He said this in an interview with the Monterey Herald.Herron said that his own version of Lamb lives in the words on the page of his books. The books describe Lamb through dialogue, thoughts, and actions that readers imagine in their minds. But Gary Oldman has added new layers to the character through his performance. Herron said that Oldman is "doing really interesting things" with Lamb and that he is happy with how the actor has shaped the role in the show Slow Horses.The author also explained that Oldman brought some of his own ideas from past roles into this one. In particular, he felt that Oldman saw Lamb as a kind of "wrong turn" version of George Smiley, a spy character the actor played in another story years ago. Herron said he had not thought of Lamb in that way, but he felt Oldman had the right to make his own choices and that the result was good for the show. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHerron also said that while his character and Oldman's character are not identical, he still believes the performance fits the spirit of his creation. He has said he is "very, very happy with the way it's turned out." This means he does not feel any conflict about the differences, but instead sees them as two valid ways of thinking about the same person in different media.What does this mean for fans and the show Slow Horses?For people who have read the Slough House books, especially Slow Horses, Jackson Lamb is strong in their imagination. They see him through Herron's words, his behavior, and the way other characters react to him. In the novels, Lamb's personality and humor are clear through text alone.On the other hand, the TV show Slow Horses adds the power of performance. Gary Oldman plays Lamb as a man who looks and sounds very real. He wears Lamb's clothes and moves in a way that makes viewers believe in him. This means the television character can feel different from the book character. Herron's comment that there are now "two Jacksons" helps fans understand how both versions can exist.Some fans may prefer the version they imagined from the books. Others may feel that Oldman's performance brings new depth and humor that they enjoy on screen. Herron's words suggest that both views are fair. He does not say that Oldman changed Lamb in a bad way, only that the actor brought something new and interesting to the role.This idea also highlights a common truth about adaptations. When books become films or TV shows, characters often shift in small or large ways. Actors, directors, and writers all add their own craft and creativity. The author's voice and the actor's work combine to make something that can stand on its own. Herron's acceptance of Oldman's choices shows respect for this process.At the same time, the books remain important. They continue to be read and loved by many people. The Slough House series has grown over many novels, and Lamb's story carries on in print as well as on screen. Herron's positive view of Oldman's work may encourage readers to enjoy both forms without feeling that one must be better than the other.In the end, the relationship between a book and its adaptation is often full of small differences. What Herron said helps readers and viewers understand that these differences are normal. He sees Oldman's Lamb as something separate, not a replacement for the book version of Slow Horses. Both versions now exist, and both can be enjoyed.