'Slow Horses' pays subtle tribute to Gary Oldman’s 'The Dark Knight' co-star Heath Ledger

Slow Horses Pays Subtle Tribute to Heath Ledger

The writers of Slow Horses appear to have embedded a tribute to Heath Ledger in the show's fifth season. This subtle reference surfaces in episode five of the latest season on Apple TV.

Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses and also played Lt. Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed 2008 film The Dark Knight. In this episode, the two worlds seem to intersect in a notable scene.

A Notable Scene Linking the Two Works

When Oldman’s character grows irritated with a colleague, he exclaims:

“When you talk, I wanna stick a pencil in my eye and headbutt the table!”

Fans believe this line subtly nods to a famous moment in The Dark Knight, where Ledger’s Joker confronts criminals, saying,

“How about a magic trick?”

The Joker then slams a pencil into the table and adds,

“I’m going to make the pencil disappear.”

He follows by pushing his head through the pencil to intimidate the mob, stating,

“It’s gone.”

Heath Ledger’s Legacy

Ledger tragically passed away at 28, before The Dark Knight was released in 2008. His iconic portrayal earned him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Summary

The subtle pencil reference in Slow Horses honors Heath Ledger’s legendary Joker scene, connecting Gary Oldman’s roles in both projects with a clever, respectful nod.

Would you like the tone to be more formal or casual?

more

NME NME — 2025-11-08

More News