What happened to Alan Black in Slow Horses Season 1? Character arc explored

Slow Horses | Image Via: Sony Pictures Television Studios
Slow Horses | Image Via: Sony Pictures Television Studios

The MI5 agent, Alan Black, had an unexpected turn in Slow Horses Season 1. This is revealed through other characters rather than himself. He is not a main character in Slow Horses Season 1.

Yet his presence is a propelling factor in the storyline. Due to his past actions, he was transferred to Slough House. Early in the season, it is revealed that, despite being an agent, he is working as an undercover Sons of Albion member. Sons of Albion is a terrorist group that Alan joins after Diana Taverner tells him to. However, his life is cut short in a drastic manner.


What happened to Alan Black in Slow Horses Season 1?

Following Diana Taverner's orders, Alan Black took an alias, Dermot "Moe" Radcliffe, and joined the Sons of Albion group. He was given a vital task that would improve the relationship with Pakistani Intelligence.

His first task would be to infiltrate the terrorist group and then kidnap a British-Pakistani student. This British-Pakistani student, Hassan Ahmed, would be kidnapped with the help of Sons of Albion and then rescued by the MI5.

It would help MI5 gain political favor and also help Diana Taverner. However, things do not turn out well for Alan. After the group kidnaps Hassan Ahmed, they take him to a secluded place.

Slow Horses | Image Via: Sony Pictures Television Studios
Slow Horses | Image Via: Sony Pictures Television Studios

However, when Hassan is almost able to escape, a member of the group named Curly gets suspicious. His suspicion inclined towards Alan Black, aka Moe. So while they were playing cards, Curly came inside the room. Moe keeps on passing condescending comments towards Curly regarding his thoughts and money.

Curly then begins to question Moe about the regiment where he served. However, Moe’s words do not ease Curly’s suspicion when it looks like he is about to kill Hassan. However, in the end, he takes the axe and kills Moe instead. Though the scene cuts in the third episode of Slow Horses season 1, it is later revealed.

The actor who plays the role of Alan Black in Slow Horses Season 1 is Sam Hazeldine. He truly does an incredible job in balancing the nuances of his character. Through Alan Black’s subtle shifts in emotions while he handles the complex situation in the group, Sam Hazeldine proves his acting prowess.

Alan Black’s death is truly a shocking turn of events in the series. It is both unexpected and gruesome, considering how he was killed by a member of the group he was a part of. Alan Black remained as a pawn in the larger and more dangerous game.

Slow Horses | Image Via: Sony Pictures Television Studios
Slow Horses | Image Via: Sony Pictures Television Studios

The tragic nature of his death truly leaves an impact. The dangerous world of espionage often has outcomes like this. How the series handles the dangers of the world of espionage in a realistic manner is truly worth appreciating. Sam Hazeldine’s other notable works besides Slow Horses include The Innocents, where he had the main role, Temple, Peaky Blinders, and more.


For more such interesting pieces, stay tuned to Soap Central.

Edited by Debanjana