Gary Oldman, who stars as grumpy but gifted spy boss Jackson Lamb in Apple TV+ hit “Gradual Horses,” has been recruited by the true MI5 – to relate a Christmas poem.

In collaboration with the streaming platform, the British counter-intelligence company have revealed a festive video on their Instagram web page that includes Oscar-winner Oldman narrating a recent twist on the poem “’Twas the Night time Earlier than Christmas.”

Titled “A Christmas Story from MI5,” the video reveals numerous brokers at their computer systems on the spy company’s London headquarters Thames Home (not Regent’s Park, as depicted within the TV sequence) whereas Oldman narrates within the voice of his “Gradual Horses” character Jackson Lamb.

“’Twas the evening earlier than Christmas when all via Thames Home not a creature was stirring, simply the press of a mouse,” he intones. “Then footsteps on stairwells, then flickering screens, the clackety keyboards of 100 machines. The hustle, the bustle, the hive of exercise, not the standard scene of your Christmas nativity.”

“So whereas folks at residence wrap last-minute presents, the workers inside Thames might be altering their shifts. From us all at 5, we want you festive delight. Merry Christmas to all and to all a great evening.”

Accompanying the video is a submit from MI5 stating: “At MI5 this Christmas we’ve determined to forgo the standard turkey in favour of some lamb – Jackson Lamb. We thought it excessive time he swapped Slough Home for Thames Home and whereas he was briefly away from his Gradual Horses, we requested him to report a particular Christmas message from all of us to all of you. Our workers might be working all through this festive interval to maintain the U.Ok. secure from nationwide safety threats. From everybody at MI5, we want you a really merry Christmas and a contented new 12 months.”

“Gradual Horses” has been a breakout hit for Apple TV+, garnering BAFTA and Emmy nominations, together with a latest win for showrunner Will Smith. The present, which is predicated on Mick Herron’s novels of the identical identify, is centered round a dishevelled Lamb main a ragtag band of failed spies nicknamed the Gradual Horses who’ve been banished from MI5 headquarters. Kristin Scott Thomas, Jack Lowden and Christopher Chung additionally star.