Renowned actors Matthew Macfadyen, Charlie Hunnam, and Daniel Brühl are set to star in a new John le Carré series, bringing to life the author's iconic character, George Smiley. The series, titled 'Legacy of Spies', is an adaptation of le Carré's best-selling novel, 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold', and will also draw on additional material from 'A Legacy of Spies'.
Written by Stephen Cornwell and Clarissa Ingram, the eight-part drama will be a joint production between the BBC and MGM+, with Macfadyen playing the master-spy George Smiley, Hunnam as British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, Brühl as East German spy Jens Fielder, and Devrim Lingnau Islamoğlu as Doris Quinz, also known as Agent Tulip. The show will follow Smiley's relentless pursuit of his arch-nemesis, the Russian master-spy Karla, during the Cold War.
Set across the UK, East and West Germany, and Czechoslovakia, 'Legacy of Spies' promises to be a gripping exploration of espionage and political intrigue. The series is considered the most ambitious and comprehensive adaptation of le Carré's work to date, with the Ink Factory's founders and co-CEOs, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, praising the casting choices. They believe Macfadyen's portrayal of the vulnerable yet dangerous operational mastermind will be a significant achievement, supported by the talents of Hunnam and Islamoğlu.
Lindsay Salt, the Director of BBC drama, expressed excitement about the project, highlighting the brilliant adaptation by Stephen Cornwell and Clarissa Ingram. Salt assured BBC viewers that the series will be a special treat, featuring some of the best actors in the industry. Michael Wright, the global head of MGM+, also praised the collaboration with The Ink Factory, BBC, and the creative team, emphasizing the series' appeal to a modern audience.
The production team includes executive producers such as Stephen Cornwell, Graham Yost, Simon Cornwell, Michele Wolkoff, Malte Grunert, Chris Rice, Steve Clark-Hall, and notable actors Macfadyen, Hunnam, Joe Tsai, and Arthur Wang. Susanne Bier and Mike Lesslie also contribute as executive producers, while Gaynor Holmes and Nick Lambon oversee the BBC's involvement, and Nick Cornwell manages the John le Carré estate's interests. Sam Costin serves as co-executive producer for The Ink Factory, and Fifth Season handles global sales.
