Originally published on TV Reviewer — republished on TV Night.
Apple TV+ is having a strong moment in British prestige television circles, with both Slow Horses and Down Cemetery Road landing nominations at the Royal Television Society Awards. The recognition adds fresh momentum to two of the streamer's most critically admired properties heading into what promises to be a fiercely competitive awards cycle.
Slow Horses, the espionage thriller anchored by Gary Oldman's gloriously rumpled turn as MI5 misfit Jackson Lamb, has become something of a perennial favorite among awards bodies that appreciate intelligent, character-driven drama. Each season has built on the last, and nominations recognition from the RTS — one of the UK's most respected industry bodies — only underscores the show's staying power in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape.
Down Cemetery Road, meanwhile, represents a different kind of prestige bet for Apple. The adaptation has been generating quiet but persistent buzz among British viewers and critics alike, and an RTS nomination signals that industry insiders are taking it seriously as more than just a streaming curiosity.
From an awards strategy perspective, this double recognition is significant. The RTS has historically served as a reliable early barometer for what will perform well at the BAFTAs and beyond. Productions that earn traction here tend to carry that energy into the broader awards conversation, particularly within the UK television ecosystem where institutional credibility matters enormously.
For Apple TV+, accumulating nominations across multiple titles rather than banking everything on a single prestige vehicle is a savvy play. It positions the streamer as a consistent home for quality British drama rather than a one-hit wonder, which carries weight with both voters and subscribers. With awards season heating up on both sides of the Atlantic, expect these nominations to fuel further campaigning efforts from Apple's increasingly formidable awards team.