The BBC has unveiled a major new television project, confirming that acclaimed actor Matthew Macfadyen will take on the iconic role of spymaster George Smiley in a fresh adaptation of John le Carré's espionage novels. The series, titled Legacy Of Spies, promises to be a comprehensive exploration of le Carré's most famous character.
A Stellar Cast for a Classic Spy Tale
Macfadyen, best known for his award-winning performance as Tom Wambsgans in Succession, will be joined by a high-profile ensemble. Charlie Hunnam has been cast as the disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, while Daniel Brühl will portray East German spy Jens Fielder. The role of Doris Quinz, also known as Agent Tulip, will be played by Devrim Lingnau Islamoğlu.
The eight-part drama is described as the most ambitious le Carré adaptation to date. It will primarily draw from the author's seminal 1963 novel, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, while also incorporating material from the 2017 book A Legacy of Spies. The narrative will chart Smiley's overarching pursuit of his Soviet nemesis, the master-spy Karla, against the tense backdrop of the Cold War.
Plot and Production Details
The story begins in the shadow of the newly erected Berlin Wall, as Alec Leamas witnesses his last agent being killed. Facing retirement or a desk job, Leamas is offered a chance for revenge by Control. He assumes a false identity as a bitter ex-agent to trap Mundt, a high-ranking East German intelligence official. Throughout this dangerous game, George Smiley operates in the background, ensuring the operation unfolds as planned.
The series is a co-production between the BBC, Amusement Park Film, 127 Wall Productions, and Paramount Television Studios. It will be executive produced by Graham Yost (Slow Horses) and Malte Grunert (All Quiet on the Western Front). The scripts have been penned by Stephen Cornwell and Clarissa Ingram.
Executive Excitement for the Project
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, expressed great enthusiasm: “Legacy of Spies is a dream le Carré project adapted by the brilliant Stephen Cornwell and Clarissa Ingram. We are thrilled to have The Ink Factory – who are the ultimate experts in this genre - making this series which stars some of our best actors. BBC viewers are in for a very special treat!”
Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, which will air the series in the United States, added: “The opportunity to partner with The Ink Factory, the BBC, and this remarkable creative team to tell the story of John le Carré’s legendary George Smiley is truly a dream project. MGM+ is building its brand around classic storytelling for a modern audience, and ‘Legacy of Spies’ is the embodiment of that.”
Simon and Stephen Cornwell, founders of The Ink Factory and sons of John le Carré, stated: “This project is in many ways the most ambitious and all-encompassing adaptation of le Carré’s work to date... To have Matthew embody this operational mastermind, a man both vulnerable and dangerous, alongside the brilliant talent of Charlie and Devrim, is a great coup.”
Legacy Of Spies is scheduled to air on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, and on the MGM+ streaming service in the US. No official release date has been announced, but the project has been in development for several months.
