‘Slow Horses’ Writer Will Smith Pokes Fun At Namesake’s Oscar Slap In Emmy Speech

A surprised Will Smith, the veteran British comedy writer-producer who created and executive produces/showruns Apple TV+’s Slow Horses, started off his speech accepting the Emmy for Writing For a Drama Series by addressing what was on the minds of many TV viewers and ceremony attendees when his name was announced as a winner.

“First off, relax,” he said. “Despite my name, I come in peace.”

He was referring, of course, to the infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars when American actor Will Smith leaped to the stage and slapped presented Chris Rock after the latter made a Jada Pinkett Smith joke.

Slow Horses‘ Will Smith went on to thank author Mick Herron, on whose Slough House books the Apple TV+ spy thriller series is based. He also acknowledged the streamer’s Europe boss Jay Hunt, his team of writers. “and most of all, Gary Oldman and all of the actors” on the show.

This is the first Emmy win for Slow Horses, which broke through with its third season, landing its first Emmy nominations, nine. The series’s fourth season is streaming now.

You can watch Smith’s speech above.