‘Slow Horses’ Season 6, Episode 1 kills [SPOILER] in heartbreaking twist

For better or worse, death has always been a given in Slow Horses. But there’s no doubt that Season 6’s first character departure hits different…

The body count on the Apple TV series has been steadily climbing since Season 1, and in staying true to Mick Herron’s “Slough House” novels, Slow Horses never shied away from killing core characters — no matter how painful.

We thought we lost Sid Baker (Olivia Cooke) in Season 1. We actually lost Min Harper (Dustin Demri-Burns) in Season 2. And we said goodbye to Marcus Longridge (Kadiff Kirwan) in Season 4. But Season 6 kicks off with the show-altering loss of a character we’ve known since Season 1.

So who dies in Season 6, Episode 1, aptly titled “Circle of Life”? Or rather, who died off-screen before Season 6?

Grab the tissues and read on for answers.

Slow Horses Season 6, Episode 1 spoilers ahead.

Who Dies In Slow Horses Season 6, Episode 1?

When you put it that way, several people technically die in Slow Horses‘ Season 6 premiere. Two former Slough House members — Struan Loy and Kay White — were fatally attacked by assassins. But our dearly beloved David Cartwright, River’s granddad, also died of natural causes off-screen, marking the end of Slow Horses’ iconic Jonathan Pryce era.

We first learn that David passed away when Diana explains his forthcoming funeral service to River. Since David led such a secret, dangerous life, security is required at the service, along with a fabricated backstory about his work for the Department of Transport. When a grieving River talks back to Taverner, she excuses his remark because she knows he refused bereavement leave, is exhausted, and hurting. When River finally turns up at Slough House, even Ho can tell he’s grieving.

After River reveals the cost of the care home ate all his granddad’s funds and calls his mom to leave another message asking if she’s coming to the funeral, it’s clear that David was the only true family — aside from the Slow Horses — that River had in life. Without him, River feels a new level of loneliness that pushes him to act out. Luckily, Lamb catches on instantly and calls him out: “The state you’re in, wound up like a spring, you’re liable to go off half-cocked and get yourself in trouble. You gotta either let it out or keep it in. But you can’t do both at once.”

How Did David Cartwright Die In Slow Horses?

Ahead of the funeral, River spends the night at his granddad’s house while rain pours down outside, matching his somber mood. He furiously shines his dress shoes, eats dinner, and sips a beer in silence, remembering the final conversation he had with David while he was lying in bed. Pryce appears in one final bittersweet flashback. On the bright side, we get to see him one last time in Season 6. But as David asks a grown River why he isn’t in school, his pain, fatigue, and mental decline are apparent. Though the memory is sad, it also shows the Cartwright patriarch finding a silver lining, admiring the “very comforting” sound of his bubbling oxygen tank. He tells River he tried his best to make his house a home after his daughter left, saying, “I won’t miss living without her, but I shall miss you very much. My boy.” The two hold hands, and in a touching, tear-jerking final exchange, David tells River they’ll talk more before nodding off. It’s later confirmed that at age 83, David passed peacefully in his bed.

Back in present day, an emotional River goes into his grandad’s closet, pulls out one of his old suits, and buries his face in it. He wears the suit to David’s funeral, where he gives a thoughtful — hilariously transportation-coded — speech about his granddad’s devotion to his work, love of people, and integrity. With a hand on the casket, he says goodbye to the closest thing he had to a father, before his biological dad crashes the crucial day for “business.” But that’s another story!

Why Did Jonathan Pryce Leave Slow Horses? Remembering The Legendary Actor’s Powerhouse Performance

For those wondering why David Cartwright and Pryce left the series, the character passed away prior to book six, Joe Country. Whether you were expecting the departure or not, it’s heartbreaking all the same — not simply because David was crucial to the story, but because Pryce’s wide-ranging performance was so phenomenal. The legendary actor nailed charming, humorous moments and poignant, weighty scenes with immense care. He effortlessly exuded warmth and wisdom. And his chemistry with Lowden felt so genuine it made me ache.

Slow Horses creator and former showrunner Will Smith said it best when teasing Pryce’s incredible Season 4 showcase in our Season 3 post-mortem interview: “Jonathan doesn’t need to hear from me or anyone — he’s an absolute titan.”

As David’s dementia worsened throughout the series and River dealt with the gradual loss of his granddad, both actors thoughtfully altered and elevated their performances. And River’s grief will continue to follow and fuel him in Season 6 and beyond.

“To watch Jack in scenes with Jonathan, you go, ‘Well, there’s no imbalance here. You guys are both bringing it.’ That scene of them in the club [in Season 3] is one of my favorite scenes we’ve ever done. I was watching that like, ‘Oh my god.’ I found it so moving, and I can see the tenderness from Jack and the pain that Jonathan’s going through as he processes what has happened and realizes what’s happening to him,” Smith told DECIDER. “…I mean, they can do anything. They’re both in the range — it’s incredible… they reached new heights every time.”

Though we’ll miss Pryce dearly, his powerful performance helped make Slow Horses the success that it is. Here’s hoping we’ll see him again in flashbacks down the line, but if this is goodbye, his memory will always live on through River.

New episodes of Slow Horses Season 6 premiere Wednesdays on Apple TV.