The Slow Horses Season 6 finale, "Judgment Day," delivered one of the most intense and bloody confrontations in the series' history. As River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) faces the consequences of his choices—including a risky romantic pursuit with Sid Baker (Olivia Cooke)—the team must also contend with the lethal mercenary Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving) and the surviving member of a mysterious Russian assassin duo, Jane (MyAnna Buring). The episode culminates in a brutal showdown that leaves fans reeling, and Buring recently opened up about the experience.
In an interview, Buring—a self-professed fan of the show—shared her excitement and trepidation about joining such an established cast. "There's always a bit of trepidation when you're walking into a show that's so well known and so well established," she admitted. But working with director Adam Randall and co-star Kyle Soller (who plays Jim) made it a joy. "Knowing that I'd be working with Kyle was thrilling," she said, adding that their shared backstory was crucial to their on-screen chemistry.
Buring and Soller crafted a rich history for their characters, imagining they grew up together in an orphanage, forming a bond that transcended their professional roles. This backstory informed subtle gestures and looks that fans might have noticed. "We definitely had a really clear backstory about how Jim and Jane knew each other and for how long," Buring explained. That foundation allowed them to improvise small moments, like a touch in a car park, that made it into the final cut.
One of the most poignant improvised details was the song Jane hums in the mirror after Jim's death. "I just wanted it to be something quite childlike, something from their youth that they would have listened to that would have been a comfort to them on really dark nights," Buring revealed. This small touch added depth to Jane's grief and made her eventual fate even more heartbreaking.
The finale's centerpiece is the brutal fight between Jane and River. Buring was determined to give as good as she got, ensuring the confrontation felt raw and visceral. "I wanted to make sure that fight was as intense as it needed to be," she said, noting that the physicality was demanding but ultimately rewarding. The scene has already been hailed as one of the show's most shocking deaths, joining a list of memorable on-screen demises that have defined the series.
Buring also praised the show's collaborative atmosphere, where improvisation is encouraged. She cited Joanna Scanlan's unforgettable "fuck me" in Episode 4 as an example of an actor elevating the material. "That's kind of what makes Slow Horses wonderful," she said. "You feel that all of the cast are the kind of actors who bring all those little moments."
As for Jane's state of mind as the mission unravels, Buring described it as a gradual spiral. "You have these agents who are out in the field, and they work on the premise that they have all the information they need, but they realize, as they get deeper and deeper into it, they don't have all the information," she explained. The straight-faced delivery of Jim and Jane made their predicament both funnier and more sinister, a balance the show excels at.
With Season 7 already in production, fans are left to wonder how the aftermath of Jane's death will affect the team. Buring's performance has cemented Jane as a memorable antagonist, and her final moments will undoubtedly be discussed for seasons to come.
