Slow Horses Season 5 Homages Gary Oldman's Dark Knight Co-Star Heath Ledger - SlashFilm

Slow Horses Season 5 Pays Tribute to Heath Ledger

In the fifth season of Slow Horses, Gary Oldman's character Jackson Lamb delivers a witty remark that recalls a famous moment from The Dark Knight. The line echoes one spoken by Oldman’s late co-star, Heath Ledger, in his iconic portrayal of the Joker.

"How about a magic trick?"

This unforgettable line comes from Ledger’s Joker in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 film The Dark Knight, where the villain drives a pencil into a victim’s head, making it “disappear.” The grisly scene became one of cinema’s most memorable introductions to a villain and has since remained etched in pop culture.

More than 15 years after its release, The Dark Knight continues to stand out as the high watermark of superhero cinema. Often described as Nolan’s comic-book version of Heat, the film premiered the same year as the first Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, Iron Man. While the MCU has expanded into dozens of movies, none have quite matched the lasting cultural and artistic impact of Nolan’s 2008 masterpiece.

The creative team behind Slow Horses appears to share that sentiment. The reference in the season 5 episode, titled Incommunicado, seems to serve as a subtle nod of respect to both The Dark Knight and Heath Ledger’s unforgettable performance.

Author’s Summary

In season 5 of Slow Horses, Gary Oldman’s subtle line alludes to Heath Ledger’s Joker, honoring both the late actor and the enduring influence of The Dark Knight more than 15 years on.

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SlashFilm SlashFilm — 2025-11-05

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