Shirley Dander is a skilled yet troubled MI5 agent, assigned to Slough House after a series of personal and professional missteps. Known for her fierce personality and determination, she struggles with a cocaine addiction that complicates her career. Despite these challenges, Shirley remains a valuable asset, often using her quick thinking and bold actions to complete dangerous missions. Portrayed by Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Shirley appears in Slow Horses from Season 2 onward, bringing depth to the team of disgraced spies at Slough House.

Trivia/Facts

• Shirley Dander is a British MI5 agent who works at Slough House, a place where agents who have made mistakes are sent. She is played by actress Aimee-Ffion Edwards in the series Slow Horses. Shirley appears in Season 2, Season 3, and Season 4 of the show. Her character is tough and determined but faces personal struggles.
• Shirley Dander comes from a Welsh background, which adds to her unique character. She was moved to Slough House instead of being fired from MI5. This happened because she punched her superior officer, which is a serious offense. Another reason was her addiction to cocaine, which caused problems in her work life.
• In the Slow Horses episode Last Stop, Shirley is given an important task. She has to infiltrate a company called Datalok to get CCTV footage. This footage is related to the railway journey of Richard Bough, who was killed by Andre Chernitsky. Her mission is part of the effort to understand the movements of the killer.
• To complete her task, Shirley uses her wit and charm to get access to the restricted area. She seduces a security guard named Cal Fenton to steal his access pass. After getting the footage, she learns that Chernitsky traveled further after killing Bough. He went from Oxford Parkway to Stroud in the Cotswolds and then took a taxi from there.

Shirley Dander’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Jackson Lamb: Shirley has a complicated relationship with Jackson Lamb, the leader of Slough House. Lamb is tough and often rude, but he sees potential in Shirley despite her problems. He doesn’t go easy on her and pushes her to perform better. Shirley respects Lamb but finds his rough attitude frustrating at times.
• River Cartwright: Shirley shares a working relationship with River Cartwright, another agent at Slough House. While they don’t always agree, they are both determined to prove themselves. Shirley’s bold personality contrasts with River’s more measured approach. Despite this, they both work towards the same goals as part of the team.
• Louisa Guy: Shirley looks up to Louisa Guy, one of the more experienced agents in Slough House. Louisa’s calm and composed nature is something Shirley admires. While they don’t interact deeply on a personal level, Louisa’s experience helps guide Shirley in tough situations. Shirley tries to learn from her, though their styles are different.
• Roddy Ho: Shirley often finds Roddy Ho, the tech genius of Slough House, annoying. His arrogance and self-centered behavior irritate her. They don’t share a close relationship, and Shirley usually avoids him when she can. However, when it comes to work, she recognizes that Roddy’s tech skills are useful for the team.